Rich Clarkson (born August 11, 1932) is a Denver, Colorado based photographer who has a long history covering American sports.
The small group also handles all championship photography for the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) and Colorado Rockies baseball club.
Born in Oklahoma City, Clarkson moved to Lawrence, Kansas at age 3 where he would grow up above one of the town's greatest restaurants, The Colonial Tea Room.
Three months later, Astor called to give Rich his first big-time magazine assignment to photograph the Kansas-Iowa State game in Lawrence for Sports Illustrated.
Just a few of the most notable photographers he mentored during his time at Topeka are the following: He has been a contributor to numerous publications on photojournalism and sports and has co-authored six books including “The Jim Ryun Story” with Cordner Nelson in 1967, “Sooner” with Bill Bruns in 1972, “Knight With the Hoosiers” with Bob Hammel in 1975, “Montreal ‘76” with Bill Bruns in 1976, “The Final Four” with Billy Reed in 1988 and “Silver Knight” with Bob Hammel in 1996.
[citation needed] In 1989, he was producer-coordinator for the Brian Lanker project, “ I Dream A World: Portraits of Black Women who Changed America,” which included both a book, now in its 15th printing, and two traveling exhibitions.
[citation needed] Portfolios of pictures were reprinted in the National Geographic, U. S. News & World Report and LIFE magazines in addition to major display in many American newspapers.
[citation needed] Clarkson Creative have produced 23 other hardback books ranging in subject from “Notre Dame Football Today” to “Small Town America.” Clarkson was a principal designer and curator for the NCAA Hall of Champions, a 12,000-square foot museum of college sports memorabilia and pictures in the NCAA headquarters building formerly in suburban Kansas City.