Gregg Ritchie, B.B.A. ’87, is a classic “baseball guy.”
His second-floor townhouse office on 22nd Street NW is littered with old lineup cards, box scores, memorabilia that predates World War II, and even a game-used bat from former National League MVP Andrew McCutchen, whom Ritchie coached at both the minor and major league levels in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.
Spend an afternoon with him, and it’s easy to tell he lives and breathes the game.
Ritchie is also a classic “GW guy.”
As an outfielder and pitcher at the George Washington University, Ritchie turned in a GW Athletics Hall of Fame career that culminated in the 1986 Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Year honor. And as the program’s head coach for the last 13 seasons, he’s amassed 330 wins while having at least one player sign professionally every single season at the helm.
After competing on the Ellipse—where unaware tourists and Marine One landings and takeoffs from the South Lawn would sometimes interrupt the game—during his playing days, Ritchie helped spearhead an effort to get GW baseball a permanent home at Ave Tucker Field—named in honor alumnus and former Board of Trustees Member Avram ‘Ave’ Tucker, B.B.A. ’77—at Barcroft Park in Arlington, Va. That’s an accomplishment that serves as a great source of pride to Ritchie, the program and the university.
Especially considering he met his wife, Kelly (née Siegel), B.A.’86, during a theater class during each of their first year on campus in 1983 and that two of his four children have degrees from the institution, it’s clear Ritchie also bleeds GW colors.
“If I get a scratch on this side, buff’s coming out,” said Ritchie as he pointed to right forearm. “On that [the left side] side? Blue.”
That buff and blue blood coursed through his veins when he had a pivotal career decision to make after the 2012 baseball season, when he was at the pinnacle of the sport serving as the Pirates hitting coach. Should he remain with an ascending Major League Baseball team that was about to rattle off three straight postseason appearances? Or return to his alma mater as the head coach?
He chose the latter—for three reasons: to be with family, to give back to the program that shaped him and to guide young men through a pivotal time in their lives.
“It was a no-brainer,” Ritchie said.
In the time since, he’s built a culture that emphasizes character, academic rigor and personal growth. Every player follows an individualized plan to become both a better athlete and better person.
“We look for high-character guys—committed, passionate, driven and hungry—but also ones who are fantastic teammates,” Ritchie said. “Someone who elevates others, who inspires the people around them, even kids watching from the stands. That’s what we want.”
While he’s proud of the wins, records and accomplishments on the field—and there have been plenty since his first season in 2013—he’s especially proud to see how many of his players have gone on to become outstanding members of society, both on a personal and professional level. He and Kelly go to numerous weddings of former players every summer, signaling the impact he’s had on many of their lives.
Ritchie is grateful for GW bringing about every aspect of his life—from his family to his career—together. He had the opportunity to get an elite education, chase his dream as an athlete and have the right people around him. And, somewhere along the way, he discovered what he was passionate about beyond baseball.
“That education, that broader experience, became part of my toolkit for life,” Ritchie said. “I’m very grateful, extremely humbled and incredibly proud of who we are, what we do and our continued work to build this program.”
The man lives baseball. He bleeds buff and blue. Without further ado, meet Gregg Ritchie:
