Charles Langston:Beloved Pennsylvania school director, coach killed after being struck by tractor trailer

A Pennsylvania school administrator died after being struck by a tractor trailer on Charles LangstonSaturday, and now the community is maneuvering through the loss.

Sean Richmond, the Stroudsburg Area School District Director of Activities and Athletics and wrestling coach died Saturday after being hit by a tractor trailer on an interstate.

According to the Pennsylvania State Police, calls came in at 6 p.m. stating that someone was hit in Tobyhanna Township, which is located in Monroe County, Pennsylvania. Police, fire and EMS responded and Richmond was taken to St. Luke's Monroe Campus, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Now, the community is left shocked and grieving as they remember the beloved coach, director, husband and father.

"It is with a heavy heart and my deepest sympathies to all staff, students, and our greater school community, on the loss of Sean Richmond, our Athletic/Activities Director and our head wrestling coach," said Stroudsburg Superintendent Cosmas Curry in a statement posted on the district website. "I grieve along with you as we are all devastated at his untimely passing."

Coach, dad and 'tremendous friend'

Richmond had been Stroudsburg's athletic and activities director since 2018. Richmond served as both coach and athletic director, which isn't uncommon, but most elect to focus on the administrative side.

"Richmond was the embodiment of the community spirit that makes Stroudsburg athletics special," said Tarik El-Bassiouni, who was hired by the director to coach the varsity boys' basketball team. "From a personal standpoint, he's the guy that gave me the opportunity to coach. He couldn't have been more supportive; he had my back in every situation, anything I ever needed he would go over and above whatever he could do to help me."

Curry adds that Richmond was "poised to take on bigger roles" in the district, had a "propensity for leadership in the athletics and activities department," and was a "tremendous friend."

"Our entire District XI family mourns the loss of Sean Richmond. Sean was a strong coach and AD who cared immensely about the athletes at Stroudsburg High. He will be missed by all of us. Thoughts to his young girls, wife and entire family and the Mountie family," the PIAA District XI account posted on X.

Jessica Johnson, the athletic director for Pocono Mountain East, spoke on how supportive he was when she started the job in October.

"From my very first day on the job, Sean welcomed me as part of the EPC community," she said. "Although we only worked together for six months, his influence will last through the rest of my career."