Rick Wayne Willits


Year Inducted: 2005
Nominated By: James Potestion (colleague)
Sports Competed In: Wrestling
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Athlete

Rick Willits

High School:
Attended Pueblo East H.S., graduating in 1980... Four year member of the Eagles wrestling team (1976-80)...Willits was the state champion his senior season (1980) at 132 lbs.

College:
Went to Adams State College in Alamosa, CO and graduated in 1985... Rick was a wrestler (142 and 150 lbs.) for the Grizzlies, winning the National NAIA Champion 1985.

Coaching:
Willits spent his career as a wrestling coach in the Pueblo, CO area.
● Asst. Coach (Varsity): Pueblo East H.S. (1985-95).
● Head Coach: Risley Middle School (1988-93).
● Selected to help coach the Colorado Cadet National Wrestling Team for two years (1993-95).

Contributor:
Still involved in athletics and Community Service by sculpting bronze athletic figures similar to those that he completed at the Pueblo Historic Arkansas Riverwalk Project (HARP)...Since 1995, Willits still does some volunteer coaching at Pueblo East H.S. and helps with the kids' wrestling program at Pueblo County H.S.

Professional Affiliations:
● Board member of the East High Alumni Foundation.
● Chairman of the Hall of Fame Selection Committee for Pueblo East H.S.
● Member of the Pueblo Art Guild.

Honors:
● Inducted into the Adams State College Hall of Fame (2011).
● Inducted into the Pueblo East H.S. Hall of Fame (2008).

Occupation:
Teacher at Pueblo East H.S.

Personal:
Lives in Pueblo, CO with his wife, Bonnie.

 


GPSA "W" By The Numbers

LEGEND: p = awarded posthumously; ^= attended first meeting; * = deceased;+ = charter member (placed after year inducted)

 1

Administrator/Contributor
George Williams, Sr. (1980)

Athlete/Contributor
Lou Henry Willschau (2018*p)

Athlete/Coach
John Wristen (2015)

Athlete/Coach/Contrbutor
Bruce Ernest Watkins (1985*)

Attended H.S. Outside Colorado
Ethel Wentworth (1974*)
Tama H.S., Tama, IA

Attended Pueblo Central H.S.
Rodney A. Wallace (1978*)

Attended Pueblo County H.S.
Nikole Marie Whitaker (2016)

Attended Pueblo South H.S.
John Wristen (2015)

Big Game Hunter
Mahlon Thatcher White (1981)

Car Racing
Lou Henry Willschau (2018*p)

Contributor
Wilbur Wayne Wright (1991*)

Honorees Awarded Posthumously
Lou Henry Willschau (2018*p)

Rifle
Ethel Wentworth (1974*)

Swimming
Travis J. Wolther (2014)

Won a National Championship
John Wristen (2015)

Wrestling
Rick Wayne Willits (2005)

2
Attended H.S. Inside Colorado
Larry G. Wagner (2000)
Fort Morgan H.S., Fort Morgan, CO
George Williams, Sr. (1980)
Fountain H.S., Fountain, CO

Attended Pueblo East H.S.
Rick Wayne Willits (2005)
Thomas Michael Waters (2004)

Softball
Nikole Marie Whitaker (2016)
Thomas Michael Waters (2004)

Track
Thomas Michael Waters (2004)
Bruce Ernest Watkins (1985*)

 

3
Attended Pueblo Centennial H.S.
Travis J. Wolther (2014)
Bruce Ernest Watkins (1985*)
Mahlon Thatcher White (1981)

Coach
Thomas Michael Waters (2004)
Larry G. Wagner (2000)
Ethel Wentworth (1974*)

 

 

 

4
Athlete
Nikole Marie Whitaker (2016)
Travis J. Wolther (2014)
Rick Wayne Willits (2005)
Rodney A. Wallace (1978*)

Football
John Wristen (2015)
Thomas Michael Waters (2004)
Bruce Ernest Watkins (1985*)
Rodney A. Wallace (1978*)

 

5
Honorees Deceased
Lou Henry Willschau (2018*p)
Wilbur Wayne Wright (1991*)
Bruce Ernest Watkins (1985*)
Rodney A. Wallace (1978*)
Ethel Wentworth (1974*)

 

13
Honorees in "W" Section

 

REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN GPSA INDUCTEES

The Greater Pueblo Sports Association (GPSA) has announced a list of honorees that have passed since the 2023 induction ceremony on Nov. 15.

 

 

Daniel RosalesDaniel
Rosales

12/13/2023
Class of 2002

Everett C. ThalhamerEverett C.
Thalhamer

12/23/2023
Class of 2014

Bob GrahamBobby Max
Graham

02/26/2024
Class of 1990

Joe BonaquistaJoe
Bonaquista

07/16/2024
Class of 1977