A charter member of the Saint Michael's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1987, Tarrant made history as the first Purple Knight ever selected in the NBA Draft, chosen by the Boston Celtics in 1965.

"We join the community in mourning the great loss of Richard Tarrant '65," said Saint Michael's College President Richard Plumb. "He was a legend both on and off the basketball court, inspiring greatness through his achievements and generosity at Saint Michael's College and beyond."

Tarrant's most enduring gift to his alma mater is the Jeremiah J. and Kathleen C. Tarrant Student Recreation Center, named in honor of his parents. Dedicated in 1994, the $5 million, 67,000-square-foot facility, made possible by Tarrant's lead gift, transformed the College's indoor athletics footprint and continues to enrich student life. Adjacent to the Vincent C. Ross Sports Center, the facility provides space for varsity, club, and intramural sports, and includes four multipurpose courts, a suspended running track, climbing wall, fitness and weight rooms, racquetball and squash courts, administrative offices for the Department of Athletics, an equipment room, locker rooms, a varsity media room, and the Hall of Fame Room.

Tarrant is widely regarded as one of the greatest student-athletes in Saint Michael's history. A two-time Catholic College All-America selection and the 1965 Catholic Small College Player of the Year, the West Orange, N.J., native earned numerous accolades, including Associated Press Small College All-America first team and two United Press International All-America honors. His final two seasons were particularly historic, culminating in a 21-7 record, an NCAA Northeast Region title, and a fourth-place national finish in the NCAA Elite Eight in 1964-65.

Playing before the advent of the three-point line and shot clock, Tarrant became the first Vermont collegian to score 700 points in a season and 1,500 in a career. He finished with 1,762 points and 880 rebounds in 66 games, averaging 26.7 points and 13.3 rebounds. His 29.3 points per game in 1963-64 remain a program record, and his 26.3 the following year ranks second. Tarrant is second in career rebounding to Hank Gretkowski '59

A cum laude graduate, Tarrant's No. 22 jersey was retired in 1969, just four years after his collegiate career ended. He was recognized with a Saint Michael's Alumni of the Year Award in 1990, served on the College's Board of Trustees, and was inducted into both the New England Basketball Hall of Fame (2001-02) and the Vermont Sports Hall of Fame (2019). Fittingly, the 2019 Vermont Sports Hall of Fame class was announced in the very building he had dedicated to his parents decades earlier.

Saint Michael's College honors the legacy of Richard Tarrant '65 - a trailblazer, philanthropist, and true Purple Knight whose contributions will continue to inspire for generations to come.