Coach Rick Anderson was a 1982 graduate of Cordova High School, lettering in cross country and track and field all three seasons. He was the Metro League mile and two-mile champion his senior season for the Lancers. Upon graduation, he competed at American River College in cross country and track and field for one season in each sport before enlisting in the US Navy for six years.

In 1993 he enrolled once again at American River College. After two semesters of only academics, he competed in track and field specializing in the decathlon and 3000 meter steeplechase. During that semester he also received the Pepsi Scholar Athlete of the Year award and was voted captain of his track team. During the following cross country season he was again voted team captain for the Conference Champion Beavers.

After completion of his Bachelor's and Master's degrees at California State University, Sacramento, he joined the coaching staff as an assistant for the men's and women's track and field teams.