VIDEO: SAMUEL RITCHIE HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY
Sam Ritchie gained distinction as both a standout Bridgewater athlete and a revered coach and administrator in high school athletics in the Shenandoah Valley.
Sam enrolled at Bridgewater College in 1955 following a three-year stint in the U.S. Army and earned varsity letters in football, basketball, and baseball during his four years. He captained the 1957-58 and 1958-59 basketball teams as well as the 1959 baseball team. A pitcher and first baseman for the Eagles' baseball squad, Sam earned and All-Virginia Little Eight honors during his senior season of 1959. That same year he was honored with the Vincent Reilly Sportsmanship Award by the Harrisonburg Daily News-Record. Sam also was a member of the New Market Rebels in the prestigious Valley baseball league for five seasons.
Sam also made an impact away from the playing field at his alma mater, serving on both the student council and honor council. He was the 1958-59 senior class president and also was selected by the student body as King of the 1959 May Day Court.
Upon graduation, Sam remained in the Valley as a teacher and coach at nearby Turner Ashby High School, where he stayed for the next 33 years. He became Principal of the school in 1968, a role he would keep until 1992, and also served nine years as Turner Ashby's Athletic Director and football coach and five years as the Knight's baseball coach. Sam also held positions in both the Valley District and Region II offices of the Virginia High School League and spent nine years on the VHSL's executive committee as well. He retired in 1995 after three years on the central office staff of the Rockingham County school system. That same year, Sam was recognized as Administrator of the Year by Greater Madison, Inc.
Sam and his wife, Donna, live in Rockingham County, where Sam is an elder in the Cooks Creek Presbyterian Church. The couple has two daughters, Jana and Carol.
