WASHINGTON (April 2, 2020) – William "Bill" Ritchie, a 1971 graduate, holds the distinction of being the first known NCAA All-American in Howard University history.
 
The seven-time All-American became the first known NCAA individual champion after being victorious in the 220-yard dash during the 1969 NCAA College Division Track and Field Championships in Ashland, Ohio.
 
After his collegiate career, Ritchie became one of the few Bison to be inducted twice in the Howard Athletics Hall of Fame, first as an individual in 1996 and again in 2018 as a member of the 1969 HU Track and Field Team.
 
Upon graduation, Ritchie joined the Metropolitan Police Department and retired in 1994 as the Chief of Detectives and former Homicide Commander in the most powerful city in the world. During his tenure, he led or participated in many major criminal investigations, including the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan during 1981 and the Air Florida Airplane crash in 1982.
 
After retirement, he moved on to other positions, including Director for the Office of Decedent Affairs at the Washington Hospital Center, Project Manager for the District of Columbia Public School's Security Force and Director of Operations for a nationally known security company that in part serviced contracts for the U.S. Navy. In 2006, he retired again.
 
From time to time, he is called upon by CNN and other national and local media to provide commentary as a Homicide Expert.
 
Currently, Ritchie is the 2^nd Vice President and Public Information Officer for the District of Columbia Society Sons of the American Revolution, an organization he has been a part of since July 4, 2016.
 
Choosing to spend his remaining free time golfing, Ritchie had the pleasure of playing in Tiger Woods Pro AM at the Congressional Country Club on July 4, 2007 where he had the time of his life!
 
About Where Are They Now?
 
The new weekly series of "Where Are They Now?" appears each Thursday throughout the year.
The series will feature former student-athletes from all sports and eras, highlighting their careers as athletes at the University and what they are presently doing.
 
All interested former athletes and their coaches should submit a short bio, a recent head shot and contact information on how they can be reached via email to Tiffany Hoyd (Tiffanyhoydhu19@gmail.com) and Derek W. Bryant (derek.bryant@howard.edu).
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.