Walter Rickard is in his 10th year as the director of athletics and recreation at Pratt Institute and continues to define this time in Pratt athletics history as one of growth. Rickard has guided the Cannoneers through the NCAA Division III membership process, becoming full-time NCAA members at the start of fall 2022. Under Rickard’s leadership to the NCAA, the department has undergone a major expansion, including increased athletic offerings, the addition of full time coaches, student-athlete support programming, facility upgrades, and expanded recreational offerings.

In 2017, the men’s and women’s soccer programs were reinstated after 10 years, which increased Pratt’s sport sponsorship to 14 sports teams, necessary for NCAA membership. After starting as a campus club, Equestrian was added as Pratt’s 15th varsity sport. The department has also seen a progressive increase in full-time staff. With staff completely made up of part-time coaches in 2015,  by the 2018-19 season, the department hired their first full-time coaches and  first full-time athletic trainer was also hired. After a slight pause due to COVID, women’s basketball was the next to gain full-time status during the winter of 2022. At the start of the 2022-23, men’s and women’s tennis and men’s and women’s volleyball coaches moved to full-time.  During the winter of 2023, men’s and women’s soccer made the move to full-time status making all head coaches full-time Pratt employees.  

After a reorganization, a student-athlete success program was instituted for the 2022-2023 season, adding dedicated staff support for all student-athletes and providing life skills programs. Students continue to shine academically as the Cannoneers have transitioned to NCAA status. From the fall 2017 through the Spring of 2022, the average team GPA is 3.44. 

During the NCAA membership process, Rickard guided the Cannoneers to membership in the American Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA). After the 2019-20 year, the ACAA merged the the Capital Athletic Conference (CAC), to create the Coast to Coast Athletic Conference (C2C). The C2C provides the student-athlete with a unique championship experience, with travel to California, Wisconsin, Maryland and Virginia.  

The Activity Resource Center (ARC) has also seen major improvements. During the summer of 2022, the 41,000sq/ft gym floor was resurfaced. This included a brand new wood floor for men’s and women’s basketball and men’s and women’s volleyball.  A 200-meter indoor track and three brand new tennis courts, with two being ITA certified tennis surfaces.  The indoor track allows the track program to train during the winter months, and the tennis courts allow for year-round training for the tennis teams.

Beginning in February of 2024, a major renovation of the main floor of the ARC will be conducted, this includes general and team locker rooms, bathroom facilities and athletic training room. The project includes the addition of a team meeting room and a student-athlete lounge to improve and enhance the student-athlete experience.  Rickard was part of the team that was able to secure a $2 million gift to help support the $5.5 million project.

In 2015, an athletic rebranding was completed, which included the logo redesign and new website. 

Recreationally, the fitness center and dance studio were completely renovated during the 2019-20 year. This included installing a new rubber floor surface and adding a turf to expand exercise and weight training opportunities for all of Pratt 5,000+ students and staff. Group fitness class offerings have increased, and now include classes at the Pratt Manhattan Campus. 

Rickard has served on several campus committees.  He has been appointed to the Pratt Institute Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council, and served as chair for Smoke and Tobacco Free Campus committee, which implemented a smoke and tobacco free policy for the entire campus.  He also serves as a Title IX investigator and adjudicator. 

Rickard came to Pratt after spending six years as the director of athletics at Columbia-Greene Community College, where he led the department through a time of growth and transformation. Rickard doubled the number of sports offered, spearheaded improvements to the athletic facilities, and designed, launched and developed content for the new athletics website. The Athletic Hall of Fame was reinstated in 2012 under Rickard’s direction, and just before his departure, he completed the athletic department rebrand, which included introducing the college mascot, Rip Van Winkle.

Along with being the director of athletics, Rickard was the head men’s basketball coach. During his six years at the helm, he coached several all-conference and all-region players. In his last season, the squad finished the season with a 17-13 record and a trip to the NJCAA Regional Tournament, which was the most wins and first time participating in the regional tournament since 2006. Rickard was named Region III Second Team Coach of the Year in 2015.

Outside of his athletic responsibilities, Rickard was Assistant Dean of Students and adjunct instructor.

Prior to his arrival at C-GCC, Rickard spent two years at SUNY New Paltz where he was the assistant men’s basketball coach and assistant facilities operations manager. During his time, he assisted in the recruitment of three 1,000 point scorers and numerous all-conference players. In his role as assistant facilities and operations manager, he supervised the Athletic and Wellness center, managed game day logistics and served as the concessions manager. 

Rickard started his time in athletics at Orange County Community College as the assistant men’s basketball coach. After his arrival, Orange improved their wins per season every year, winning 20+ games during his last two seasons. In the 2005-2006 season, the Colts won 24 games and made their first appearance in the Division II National Tournament. 

Walter earned his bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Movement Science from William Paterson University, and holds a master’s degree in Sports Leadership from Northeastern University.

Rickard resides in Mamaroneck, NY with his wife Lindsey, and two children, Carolina and Walter IV.