Community Champion: Fulton spikes teal, honors coaching icon
The Fulton and Oswego varsity volleyball teams are pictured before the 2025 Spike Teal match.
By JOSH ST. CROIX
FULTON — Ten years after her passing, Caroline Richardson’s community impact continues to be felt through the Fulton varsity volleyball program.
The Red Dragons are preparing for their Spike Teal match against area rival Oswego on Oct. 22 at G. Ray Bodley High School.
The annual event will serve as a fundraiser for the Hope For Heather and Peaceful Remedies nonprofit organizations while honoring the legacy of the iconic Fulton coach who passed away in 2016 after battling ovarian cancer.
“It makes us all wish that we had the opportunity to meet her, because people tell us that she was a pretty awesome person,” said Alexa Smith, a Fulton senior set to play in her third career Spike Teal match. “We definitely feel proud to be able to go out there and represent her cause.”
Pat Hanlon — a former Fulton coach and a promoter of the game locally in variety of roles, currently as an official — initiated the inaugural Spike Teal the year after Richardson’s passing.
Other than a brief pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, the program has carried on with the tradition every year since to gather funds to combat and raise awareness of ovarian cancer and other forms of the disease.
Varsity head coach Jessica Frost, a 1995 Fulton graduate, has proudly continued the event in honor of the mentor she played for and coached under in the program.
“It’s nice because the girls come together, and it’s for a good cause,” Frost said. “They get to wear a different uniform, so it’s a fun night for us, and it’s good for our community.”
Teal is the designated color to symbolize ovarian cancer awareness, and it serves as a backronym for “Tell Every Amazing Lady.”
The players will sport teal-colored jerseys for awareness and approach area businesses for donations in advance. Funds are also raised through a variety of baskets and other raffle items at the event.
General donations are also accepted during the match. The proceeds have always gone to benefit Hope For Heather, along with Peaceful Remedies in recent years, and both organizations typically have representatives on hand to provide information and greet area residents.
“I like that the teams come together, and they just help support Spike Teal,” said Sophia Hanlon, a Fulton senior in her third varsity campaign and the granddaughter of Pat Hanlon.
“My grandma started Spike Teal, so it’s really awesome now to see how everybody is willing to donate and everybody is willing to help out.”
Richardson was a physical education teacher in the district from 1988 until retiring in 2015. In her 28 years as varsity girls volleyball coach, she captured 415 victories, a regional championship, and more than 16 league and sectional titles.
She was known for her fierce determination and encouraged her athletes to work hard, believe in themselves and face challenges with dignity.
Frost recalled those qualities shining through to her final days as she continued to work with up-and-coming players in Fulton gyms through her illness until she passed away in March 2016. Her active lifestyle with a love for hiking, biking and playing sports prior to her diagnosis reinforced the importance of ovarian cancer awareness, Frost said.
That, combined with Richardson’s passion for helping others, led to the creation of the Spike Teal as another way to honor her legacy and support a cause close to the coaching legend’s heart. The varsity team also presents an annual award to one of its players named in Richardson’s honor at its end-of-season banquet.
Fulton plays the Whitney Houston rendition of the national anthem from Super Bowl XXV — Richardson’s favorite — for every Spike Teal match as another nod to the beloved coach.
“It’s something to give back to her, what she’s done here for volleyball,” Frost said. “She worked at volleyball tirelessly. She was relentless, and she had that drive and that bravery.”
Hope For Heather is a Syracuse-based, nonprofit organization run by volunteers with a mission to “raise funds to support ovarian cancer research, to promote education and awareness, and to help to provide comfort to women and their families devastated by cancer.”
Richardson’s story is one of 10 highlighted on the Hope For Heather website’s tribute section at Caroline Richardson's Story | Hope For Heather.
Another is Mary Gosek at Mary Gosek's Story | Hope For Heather.
Gosek founded the Oswego-based nonprofit Peaceful Remedies in 2015 before passing away two years later following a battle with ovarian cancer.
Peaceful Remedies is focused on “improving the healing experience for those impacted by any life altering illness or condition by offering holistic support to individuals in a safe and peaceful environment. Its programs and services complement treatments while supporting caregivers, patients and their families.”
Gosek was the president of the Oswego Chapter of Hope For Heather and worked to raise awareness following her diagnosis, initiating Teal nights for the Oswego State hockey programs, Oswego Speedway, and other area events.
She was a strong advocate for and supporter of youth sports, especially for girls in and around Oswego, and the wife of legendary Lakers men’s hockey coach, Ed Gosek.
Fulton volleyball players and community organizations are now proudly working to champion Richardson and Gosek’s collective cause.
“Random businesses that you might not expect to give donations, they all pitch in and like what we’re doing,” third-year varsity senior Hailey Becker said.
“Someone being so local struggling with things we’re trying to support, and coach Frost always tells us what a good coach (Richardson) was and how she was impacted by her, and that’s cool to see.”
Spike Teal is one of many ways the Red Dragons have forged a stronger community connection this season.
Last week, the team held a “Teacher Appreciation Night” where each player recognized a faculty member prior to the match.
During Fulton’s match against Central Square on Sept. 11, the teams came together to join hands in a single line for a moment of silence. The symbolic act was meant to promote unity in remembrance of 9/11 and to honor first responders, service members, ordinary citizens and communities for their courage in the aftermath of the attacks.
Fulton players are now anticipating another emotional atmosphere, working with their strongest supporters to provide a night of fierce competition while giving back in the name of the program’s preeminent coach who helped pave their way.
“It’s our last Spike Teal, so I think all of us are excited to be a part of it one last time,” Smith said of she and her fellow seniors. “It’s always full of energy. There are (fan participation) games in between, and everyone gets pretty involved. I would say it’s one of my favorite nights all year.”
Visit www.hopeforheather.org and www.peacefulremediesoswego.com for more information on how to support both organizations.
