Thiel College Athletics

Ricardo Franklin compiled eight varsity letters in football and track & field and served as a captain for each team for two seasons. In football, Franklin was a three-time All-PAC honoree at defensive back, earning Second Team recognition in 1998 and First Team honors in 1999 and 2000. He was the team MVP in 2000 and was twice named the Defensive MVP. A two-time Lutheran Brotherhood All-American (1999, 2000), he was named the PAC Defensive Player of the Week multiple times. Franklin recorded seven interceptions over his final two seasons with the Tomcats. In a 25-20 win over Kean on Sept. 9, 2000, he intercepted three passes, broke up three passes, recorded five tackles and returned a kickoff 54 yards. His three interceptions in a single game are second in Thiel history to Randy Melko, who recorded four INTs against Hiram on Oct. 27, 1984. In 1999, Franklin recorded 45 tackles and intercepted two passes. He also returned nine punts for 84 yards and 18 kickoffs for 332 yards. In track & field, Franklin earned five career All-PAC selections, including a First Team nod in the long jump in 1999. Part of Thiel's 1998 PAC championship team, Franklin was named the PAC MVP in 1999 after placing in the top three in four events. He was a three-time NCAA Division III indoor national qualifier in the 55-meter hurdles. At the time of his graduation, he was the owner of seven school records in hurdles, jumps and relay events. Franklin served as an assistant track & field coach under Clyde Morgan, a Thiel College Athletic Hall of Famer, in 2007. Franklin became the head coach of Thiel's track & field programs in 2008 and continued the success started by Morgan. In 2009, Franklin returned to his hometown, Cleveland, as the head track & field coach at Notre Dame College. At Notre Dame College, Franklin coached an NAIA national champion, several All-Americans and multiple all-conference student-athletes.