Hall of Fame
Dr. James Pribula guided an athletic program that made tremendous strides through the years. During his tenure as director of athletics from 1982 to 2001, Shippensburg teams won 37 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championships and the overall winning percentage of the teams never dipped below .500. The winning percentage for the 18 athletic teams at Shippensburg in 2000-01 was .560 with one conference title. In some years the team's winning percentage was close to .700.
In addition, Shippensburg won the Dixon Trophy in 1998 and 1999 and has never finished below second place in the standings during the past five years. The trophy, which was instituted by the conference in 1996, is presented annually to the PSAC university with the best overall athletic program.
Pribula concerned himself with maintaining strict departmental adherence to NCAA, PSAC and university regulations and policies. He also managed the university's 50 acre athletic complex that included Seth Grove Stadium and Heiges Field House. Sports medicine was another one of his areas of responsibility and he was always an advocate for the health and safety of the athletes, and maintaining a modern sports medicine operation.
In another safety issue, Pribula helped establish the policy of only having professional drivers from bus companies handle the transportation of all teams.
Pribula was instrumental in establishing SU's alcohol policy and related drug and alcohol education program for athletes. The program is utilized to help SU athletes understand the problems of drug and alcohol abuse.
In the area of academics, Pribula executed the university's establishment of the Office of Academic Support Services for Student Athletes, which provides tutorial support, progress monitoring and counsel on academic concerns, and assists graduating athletes in finding employment or pursuing opportunities for graduate education. Shippensburg was cited in 2001 by USA Today as having the third highest graduation rate for its athletes among the nation's NCAA Divison II schools.
A native of West Chester, Pa., and a 1962 graduate of West Chester University, Pribula earned his master's degree from West Chester and his doctorate from the University of Maryland. He had been a member of Shippensburg's health and physical education faculty from 1964 until his retirement in 2001.
An Associated Press first team Little All-American football player, he led West Chester to two straight PSAC championships in 1960 and 1961. In addition he was a NAIA first team All-American in 1960 and 1961 and he was on the Associated Press All-Pennsylvania team which included players from the Division I teams. He also had the distinction of leading all Pennsylvania collegians in scoring in 1961 after earning runnerup honors in 1960. After his senior season Pribula played in the All-American Bowl in Tuscon, Arizona in 1961.
