President Dennis C. Rittle of NorthWest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville believes in the importance of two-year colleges and the power of athletics.
NWACC added sports in 2021 with men’s and women’s cross country and track and field, all of which are coached by former University of Arkansas two-time NCAA champion Josphat Boit. The university has plans to add baseball, softball and soccer and added a full-time athletic director, Brooke Brewer, in 2023.
Rittle, who is the subject of this issue’s Executive Q&A, fondly recalls his inauspicious beginnings in youth baseball and a coach who showed confidence in him. Rittle became an excellent youth player and considered trying his hand at professional ball after finishing his high school career in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania.
“My little league baseball head coach, Hal Donley, was tough on me but also believed in me,” Rittle said. “I was a very small child with a big heart. He saw that in me and challenged and pushed me to be a great baseball player. Ultimately, he shared that I exceeded his expectations.
“When I was selected to be on a team at the age of 8, I was among the very last players chosen. However, when I finished, I started on my community’s all-star team, playing centerfield and batting lead-off. During my final two years on the team, we were undefeated, winning by 47 games in a row.”
Rittle enrolled in the military instead of staying in athletics. He spent 15 years in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard.
He was also the first in his family to attend college when he enrolled at the Community College of the Air Force. He has since added more degrees.
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