WARE SHOALS – Former Richard Winn Academy boys’ basketball coach and athletic director Joe Pitt was inducted into the Ware Shoals Hall of Fame last week as a distinguished alumnus.
Pitt graduated Ware Shoals in 1970. He was a multi-sport standout, earning basketball All-Conference honors in 1969 and 1970. He was named MVP in 1970 and also earning All-Conference in football and baseball.
Pitt joined the Lander University basketball team as a walk-on in 1970; he eventually earned a scholarship and the 110% effort award.
After graduation, Pitt started his coaching career at Northside Junior High where he led both the boys and girls basketball teams to four consecutive championships.
In 1977, he returned to Ware Shoals High School and served for 11 years as an assistant football coach, head basketball coach, and head golf coach. He guided the Hornets to three region basketball championships and played a pivotal role in the 1982 state football championship team as defensive coordinator and offensive line coach. In 1987, he led the golf team to a state title.
Pitt moved to Union County High School in 1988 where he became the winningest basketball coach in school history with over 300 wins. He led state championship runner up teams in 2000 and 2001, won five region titles and was inducted into the Union County Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.
From 2010 to 2016, Pitt worked at Richard Winn as boys’ basketball coach and athletic director, overseeing programs that played in seven state title games and won five – four girls’ basketball titles and a football state championship.
In 2015, Pitt was inducted into the South Carolina Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, having achieved over 600 career wins.
In his acceptance speech last week, Pitt named coaches who influenced him during his athletic career and in the stages of his coaching career.
“We wouldn’t be here if someone didn’t invest in us,” he said, before addressing the students with a motivational message.
“Students … there will be naysayers in your life that will tell you, ‘You can’t do this’ or ‘You can’t do that.’ Don’t ever let them tell you that. You can do whatever you want to be.”
“God’s gift to you is he put you on this earth and gave you life,” he continued. “What you do with that life is your gift back to him. So be positive, be upbeat, and make a difference in other people’s lives.”
As reflected by his third Hall of Fame induction, Pitt’s newest hardware sums up his career: ‘Iconic high school basketball coach with more than 500+ wins. Known for his “110% effort” and love for the game.’
Pitt lives in western Fairfield County with his wife Linda Bolick Pitt. They have three children and four grandchildren.
Recently Pitt was named head of girls’ basketball at Richard Winn, He returns to coaching in the 2024 season.