Transfer of Power

Zachary Pritchard ’10 shifts settings on and off soccer field

November 10, 2009

Zachary Pritchard '10 made a successful transition from forward to center midfield, and from American University to Dickinson College.

Zachary Pritchard ’10 is a textbook case of transition.
An international business & management major from Dallas, Pritchard transferred to Dickinson College from American University in 2008. He joined the soccer team and led the Red Devils in scoring last fall with 16 points—six goals and four assists—tied for seventh in the Centennial Conference.

This regular season, which ended Oct. 31, Pritchard scored three points on three assists, though the drop off in offensive production had nothing to do with his skills.

“Zach played forward last season—hence the six goals—but I moved him back into the center midfield this season because that is where I felt and feel he can be of most value for the team this season,” said head coach Brian Redding. “He is not a team leader in the sense that he is a captain, but he is very much a team leader in terms of being a two-year starter and very important player on the field.”

The moves by Redding, Pritchard and his teammates paid off. The Red Devils finished the season over the weekend 14-4-2 record overall and 6-2-1 in the conference. Last year, Dickinson finished 13-5-3 overall and 5-2-2 in the conference.

“I had played center mid my whole life until I went to college, so it wasn’t a huge transition,” Pritchard said. “As a forward, I had a clear mentality—get to goal—and I quickly realized that I had to address the game very differently as a center mid. A center mid takes on a lot more responsibility in the game and usually whichever team wins the middle wins the game. I like the challenge and knowing that I can have a greater impact.”

Pritchard said he decided to transfer to Dickinson after learning about its academic reputation and soccer program.

“One of my best friends from high school, David Lister (class of 2011, also from Dallas), came here, and I talked to him about Dickinson when I told him I was considering transferring,” said Pritchard, who added that he is happy he made the move.

“I’ve learned that Dickinson has a strong community,” he said. “There definitely are tightly knit circles, but people are often a part of many circles, which leads to a lot of good friendships.”

Pritchard said he’s uncertain about his plans after his next big transition, graduation, but is leaning toward a career in finance, marketing or sports management on the East Coast.

“I recently discovered that I only need two more classes to minor in economics, so I'm going to pursue that, which I’m pretty excited about,” Pritchard said.