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Class of 1977
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Abisha "Bosh" Pritchard
Bosh Pritchard, was a Hopewell native, and one of the all-time great running backs in Virginia collegiate football history, but equally impressive are his credentials as one of the more colorful characters in any sport.
The 1942 graduate of Virginia Military Institute (VMI) lettered in track, baseball and basketball at one time or another and was the vocalist with the Cadet dance band. At VMI he had been All-Southern, and established several institute and conference records for his dashes which earned him such nicknames as “Breezing Bosh” and “Mr. Mercury.”
Upon graduation from VMI, Pritchard played two years with the Philadelphia Eagles, but entered the Navy before returning to the pro game for the 1947 season. During his time with the Eagles, Pritchard was an all-purpose running back in the same backfield with Joe Muha, another VMI great. Pritchard starred in the Eagles' league championship teams of 1947, ’48 and ’49. His record from 1949 for most yards in punt returns with the Eagles stood for more than 25 years.
After retiring from the Eagles in 1952, Proctor served as vice-president of Tel Ra Productions, noted in the 1950’s and ‘60’s as the nation’s top producer of television sports films.
Former Richmond Times Dispatch columnist Chauncey Durden wrote in a 1968 article that Pritchard used to sing during practice at VMI and at the same time was the most relaxed and zestful college football player he had ever seen. “Football to Pritchard was a grand game to be enjoyed as well as to be won," wrote Durden. "He practiced and played as if football and for that matter life-was a song."
(To Sports Inductees List) |
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