Rich Volkmann was part of what was one of the most successful eras in track and field at UMass Dartmouth. In 1985 Volkmann was part of the Bob Dowd-coached Corsair men's track and field team which competed in the NCAA Division III Championships and placed 20th as a team. Volkmann's contribution to the Corsairs' effort was a sixth-place finish in the hammer throw, earning him Division III All-America honors in his event. He was the first UMass Dartmouth/SMU track and field athlete to earn All-America honors in the hammer. One year before achieving national honors in his event, Volkmann had qualified for the NCAA Division III Championship meet although he did not score in the event. Throughout his four-year career, Volkmann earned a host of All New England and Division III honors in both the hammer and the shot put.