Former Perkins County Schools head coaches Dick Thurin and Larry Pritchett were recognized for their career accomplishments during Friday basketball game.
Head coaches recognized
Perkins County Schools paid tribute to their head coaches over the years during halftime of Friday night’s basketball game against Bridgeport in the Pritchett Gym.
Two of the head coaches present included Larry Pritchett and Dick Thurin.
Pritchett was recognized not only for his coaching accomplishments, which are many, but also for his other contributions to Perkins County Schools and the community.
These include 34 years in education, 12 years as a school board member and founder and coordinator of the Team Mates program.
See the Feb. 17 issue of the Grant Tribune-Sentinel for a recap of Pritchett’s coaching accomplishments.
Thurin came in 1967
Thurin began his teaching and coaching career in 1965 at Roseland High School.
He joined the faculty of Perkins County High School in 1967, teaching social studies and government. He retired from the staff in 2000.
Thurin was the first coach of the girls basketball program, which began in 1975.
He would guide the program for the next 20 years, amassing 325 wins.
During this tenure, his girls teams would make 12 appearances at the state tournament, including a runner-up finish in 1985.
He also served as an assistant coach for the 1985 Nebraska Coaches Association girls all-star game.
In addition to basketball, Thurin served as head coach for the girls’ volleyball program and started the girls track program in 1967.
He compiled a record of 182-83.
His tenure as track coach included a state runner-up title. After retiring from high school coaching, he took over the reins of the North Platte Community College women’s basketball program.
Over his 16 years at the helm, he recorded 216 wins, six Region 9 titles, Region 9 Coach of the year six times and District F Coach of the Year twice.
His teams made two appearances in the national juco tournament.