University of West Florida

Richard LaBounty competed on the men’s baseball team from 1982-1983 as a starting pitcher. He averaged 7.30 strikeouts per nine innings in 1982. He also excelled in academics, as he maintained a 3.24 grade point average. He later served as the head baseball coach and athletic director of Pensacola Catholic High School for more than 20 years. He has served the Northwest Florida community by still remaining involved with his sport outside of the campus baseball program, promoting the sport throughout the Pensacola area. LaBounty also encouraged local community members to support UWF athletes and athletic events, as the program shapes the students’ lives for the future.

“Much of my success in the classroom was due to the instructors who were willing to work with me while I was representing UWF on the athletic field. Additionally, baseball coaches Joe Ambersley and Jim Spooner, along with recreation director Bill Healey, were tremendous role models. They were men to emulate; they treated each student with respect and lived their lives with the utmost integrity, and I have tried to imitate them in my adult life.” - LaBounty