Long-time Kansas City Kansas Community College Director of Athletics Dan Pratt is stepping down from that position Dec. 1.
Recording the second most wins in 13 seasons as the Blue Devil men’s basketball coach, Pratt is in his 14th years as Athletic Director.
“With all the improvements in the baseball, soccer and track facilities, I just felt this is a good time for someone new to come in although I will miss being around when all the changes are finally in place,” said Pratt, who at age 60 is taking early retirement.
“Our search for a replacement will begin soon,” said Brian Bode, Vice-President of Student and Administrative Services. “Someone will take his position and responsibilities but replacing Dan Pratt will be tough for us all. His leadership of our athletic programs has been outstanding."
“We have student athletes whose scholarly achievements make the college as proud as do their athletic achievements and many gain scholarships to continue their education, taking with them their academic success. Others either continue their education or go out into the working world with a solid foundation in leadership, teamwork and ethics that KCKCC is proud to instill.”
Current construction of a new track, soccer field with artificial turf and baseball field with artificial turf on the infield will elevate KCKCC facilities in those sports to be among the best in the Jayhawk Conference.
The baseball field will also have a new clubhouse with lockers and office facilities and rest room and concession stands are being constructed at both the baseball and softball complexes.
Other facility improvements during Pratt’s tenure as athletic director have been the installation of a new wood floor and air conditioning in the Field House and new bleachers and scoreboard and other upgrades of the softball field.
Most of Pratt’s responsibilities, however, have been behind the scenes. In addition to administering programs in nine intercollegiate sports, there is the scheduling of multiple events in the Field House including activities virtually every weekend and countless evenings.
“Probably one of the best things was establishing a fund-raising program to support out of state scholarships,” says Pratt.
Pratt came to KCKCC as head men’s basketball coach in 1986, compiling 22-10, 22-10 and 20-12 records his first three seasons en route to a 13-year record of 206-196. Only Al Heider had more wins, 249 in 19 seasons.
One of the top scoring teams in the nation in 1988-89, the Blue Devils averaged 99.8 points per game; led the nation in 3-point goals (342) and attempts (880); and established what at the time was a national record with 56 3-point attempts in a 109-88 loss to defending national champion Hutchinson.
Pratt was elevated to athletic director when Duane Shaw retired in the spring of 1999.
Pratt started his coaching career as an assistant at Dodge City Community College for two years and then served four years as head coach at Marymount College where his teams combined for an 83-44 record.
A standout high school athlete in West Monroe, La., he earned his BA in Physical Education from Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kan., and a Masters from Emporia State.
Recruited to play football, he competed in five sports at one time or another – football, basketball, track, golf and tennis.
Married to the former Linda West, he has a son, Austin, and two daughters, Micah and Kaitlin.
