Sherm Pruit, Columbine’s first football coach, died on Jan. 21. He was 77.
Born Sherman Arch Pruit, he became the Rebels first football coach in 1973. Eight years later, he had them in the Class 4A semifinals, where Columbine beat Cherry Creek the year before the Bruins would win consecutive state titles. Columbine later fell to Mitchell in the final.
“Sherm was a great coach and laid the foundation at Columbine,” former Rebel John Nichols indicated in an e-mail.
Pruit also coached in New Mexico and Texas in addition to Jefferson High. He was at Columbine from 1973-86. Pruit also was a center and offensive guard at the University of Colorado from 1956-58.
On Columbine’s football website, former longtime principal Frank DeAngelis wrote: “Coach Pruit started the tradition of Rebel Ball. He made a difference in so many lives. He gave me a chance as a young coach back in 1981, I was his defensive coordinator and he was a great mentor. The life lessons I learned from him helped me throughout my life. Recently I had the opportunity to spend some time with him. He was so proud to be a Rebel! He had nothing but fond memories.
Coach Pruit, you will be missed, but not forgotten. Thoughts and prayers to the Pruit family. God Bless and love to all!
Among his most cherished honors, Pruit was a member of the CU’s Football Legends and was the first inductee into Columbine Football’s hall of fame.
He is survived by wife Donna. They had three children, and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A memorial service was held at Columbine Baptist Church.
