Waterloo Warriors Hall of Fame
Rich Nichol, a cherished and influential figure in the history of Waterloo Warriors athletics department. His remarkable contributions, both as a student and after completing his studies, have left an indelible mark on the university's sports community.
As a student, Rich Nichol was deeply involved in Warriors athletics, managing two teams while balancing a demanding academic schedule and contributing to The Imprint student newspaper as sports editor. His most notable contributions were with the Warriors basketball teams, where his dynamic presence over the public address system made a lasting impression on players and fans alike for two decades. Rich also brought his passion and enthusiasm to the field and rink as the public address announcer for football and hockey programs.
Rich’s influence extended far beyond his time as a student. Nichol played a pioneering role in the development of webcasting for OUA sports, beginning with a self-funded trip to Nova Scotia to report on the Warriors’ success at nationals in 1998. His foresight and dedication were instrumental in ushering in an era of increased visibility for university sports, setting a standard that many teams across the OUA now follow. Rich’s dual voice as PA and webcast play-by-play announcer gave him the well-earned moniker of the Voice of the Warriors.
Rich worked as a web developer for RBC in Toronto and was a beloved figure in the Kitchener-Waterloo Region for his 20 years coaching Hespeler minor hockey. Nichol also won a Grey Cup with the 1999 Hamilton Tiger-Cats as their media relations director. Known for his humour, passion, and dedication, Rich was always ready with a joke, a song, or hard work. Since his passing in 2010, Rich is profoundly missed by his family, friends, and all those who knew him at UWaterloo.
