Dr. Rita J. Pritchett '69
The Rita J. Pritchett Memorial Endowed Scholarship was established in 2012 by her dear friend and colleague Prof. Becky A. Wood ’72.
Impact
Dr. Rita Pritchett’s career at Asbury University spanned 40 years, including 27 years coaching volleyball, softball, women’s tennis and women’s track and field. She was named “Coach of the Year” at some time in every sport she coached. Dr. Pritchett was named athletic director in 1989 – the first female athletic director in Kentucky – and served in that role for 10 years. She was the catalyst in initiating Asbury’s first women’s intercollegiate basketball program and directed the re-establishment of the men’s intercollegiate basketball program. In 2004, Dr. Pritchett was one of seven Asburians inducted into the inaugural class of Asbury’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
Dr. Pritchett’s legacy is not limited to athletics, however. A committed teacher, she earned a reputation for high standards in the classroom as well. A former student said about Dr. Pritchett, “She always brought out the best in you and you didn’t want to disappoint her so you did everything you could to impress her with your work. She empowered those around her and gave them a reason to believe in themselves. She had a knack for filling you with confidence when you couldn’t find it within yourself. It was always about others with her. She spent her life and career pouring herself into the lives of others and she had a way of making each person she came in contact with feel like they were the most important person in the world.”
Dr. Rita Pritchett made a difference in the lives of so many because she answered God’s call on her life. Her faith demonstrated to so many what it means to live a Christ-centered life.