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Founder, Boulder Center for Sports Medicine
Chairman of BCSM Citizens Advisory Board During Andy's ten-plus years as a certified athletic trainer at the University of Colorado, he had a dream of developing a sports medicine center equal to any university or Olympics training facility in the country. But Andy wanted to make this center available to all athletes, of any age and skill, and not just limited to elite athletes. This dream was fostered by two terms as a US Olympic Committee volunteer trainer and two trips to the Olympic Sports Festival. At the 1986 Olympic Festival in Houston, TX, Andy made history being an athletic trainer for the track and field team, as well as a competitive cyclist. Through this experience, he became aware of the vast discrepancy between the sports medicine care available to Olympic athletes and that which is available to athletes of all ages and abilities. His vision fixed, his purpose set, it would take 10 years to realize his dream with the opening of Boulder Center for Sports Medicine in January of 1998. Andy began his young athletic career in traditional sports - football, basketball, baseball, and track. After losing the lower part of his right leg in a hunting accident at age 14, he searched for other avenues to express his athletic energy, including wresting and high jumping, eventually earning 12 high school varsity letters. He attended Drake University and Iowa State, earning a bachelor of science degree in Anatomy. He began a very successful career at the University of Colorado in 1973, becoming Director of Sports Medicine after he finished his master's degree. With the passage of Title IX, Andy spearheaded the integration of women's sports medicine care into the University's athletic program. This brought women to the football field, creating a new chapter in the history books. While at CU, Andy began cycling and skiing. He won a bronze medal for the downhill at the US Disabled Ski Championships in 1978, but found his true passion in cycling. Over a ten-year racing career, he rose to a US Cycling Federation Category 2 rider (able-bodied). He won two National Championships and two World Championships as a disabled rider. He ended his competitive career in Seoul, Korea, with a sixth place at the 1988 Paralympics. Andy received a Master of Science degree from the University of Colorado in 1995. He received a Doctor of Education degree from California Coast University in 1990. By combining his experience as a competitive cyclist and his knowledge of biomechanics at Western Orthopedics in Denver, Andy has become a nationally recognized leader in computerized cycling gait analysis. This technique uses three-dimensional computer technology to analyze and record cycling gait. Additionally, with his expertise in orthopedics and cycling mechanics, Andy has written a well-known book called Andy Pruitt's Complete Medical Guide for Cyclists, published by Velopress. This book is for sale at the Center, as well as many bike shops and book stores. If he's available, Andy is always willing to sign one of his books for anyone who asks. Andy has also headed the sports medicine program for the US Cycling Federation, including four World Championships and the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. In Atlanta, Andy also helped design the medical coverage for the cycling venues on a model he developed as Medical Director of the Tour du Pont. Another part of Andy's work has been in the area of research and development of cycling components and equipment. Andy and the Center have worked with Specialized Bicycle Components in developing the Body Geometry shoes and various saddles. Andy also travels with Specialized for various bike fitting and press tours. As Founder of the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine, Andy continues to see patients in primary sports medicine care, with a special interest in knee, foot, and shoulder injuries. Andy also continues to see patients in the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine's Sport Science laboratory for 3D Bike Fitting. To schedule a medical office visit with Andy, call 303-544-5700. If you would like to schedule a 3D bike fit with Andy, call 303-441-2285.
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