Coach Harry Riker (CHSFB ’57, CHSFB Faculty ’67-’70, MCHS Faculty ’70-’88) is an unlikely unicorn in this year’s Inductee Pool in that he is both a graduate of one of the Heritage Schools (CHSFB ’57) and a revered faculty member with over 35 years’ experience within the Diocese of Memphis (21 years of that at CHSFB & Memphis Catholic).

After graduating from high school, Harry matriculated to Christian Brothers College, earned his BS degree, and joined the Navy where he spent four years in active service, another 16 in the Reserves, and retired as a Lieutenant Commander.

Coach Riker joined the faculty of Catholic High School for Boys 1967 and taught for 3 years before the newly-formed Diocese of Memphis decided to close it and two other high schools--Sacred Heart for Girls and Father Bertrand. The plan was to consolidate the three schools into one institution (Memphis Catholic High School) and operate it on the Midtown campus of CHSFB. Harry was one of only a handful of CHSFB teachers selected to be on the newly-formed school faculty/staff because the administration knew that he could help the merger be successful and assist the school in establishing its own institutional identity.

A Math teacher by trade, Coach Riker taught all the courses in his discipline—from Algebra I to Advanced Math and Trig. Simply put, he has been described by many of his students as being the best classroom teacher they have ever had—regardless of the level. His ability to remember details of his students is phenomenal. It’s no wonder that his name is repeatedly mentioned as “The Best Teacher Ever” by alumni on social media and that he was selected as the Outstanding Teacher at MCHS by a vote of his peers.

During his distinguished 35 year coaching career, Coach Riker wore many hats within the MCHS athletic department. He coached football (primarily as Assistant Head Coach), baseball (as both the freshman and varsity Head Coach), and wrestling (as varsity Head Coach). His teams won countless league, district, and regional championships. His athletes distinguished themselves with individual honors and many of them moved on to participate in athletics at the college and even the professional level. Above all, his teams and players always exhibited a sense of school pride, camaraderie, and sportsmanship. Coach Riker was inducted into the Tennessee Chapter of the National High School Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2015.

Over his tenure at Memphis Catholic, Coach Riker literally touched the lives of thousands of students, both in the classroom and in the athletic arena. With some it may have been through a disciplined iron fist but with others it could easily have been through an encouraging pat on the back. He was tough, but always fair. At times, he may have been feared, but he was always respected; and under that somewhat gruff exterior many people say lays one of the most caring individuals God has put on earth.