By Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Coordinator
The quote on Casey Pitchford’s Twitter account is perfect for the Athens High School senior. “Work until you don’t have to introduce yourself,” it reads. And that’s just what he’s done.
Pitchford is a third-generation cattle raiser and rancher. He is the president of Athens FFA, works for his family’s business, Pitchford Cattle Services, and plays catcher on the baseball team, which last year advanced to regional quarterfinals.
“He’s a tremendous person,” said Head Baseball Coach Dallas Robertson. “He has a very strong work ethic, and not just in baseball but also in class. He’s one of those guys who stays longer and works, and he’s always encouraging others.”
Pitchford has worked for years as part of the family’s fitting service business. They prepare and present Santa Gertrudis cattle for their owners all across the nation. “If you had a good Santa Gertrudis, you would hire us to get her looking good, halter break her, and take her to all the shows,” explained Pitchford. “We go anywhere from Indiana to Ohio, Florida, New Mexico, all the major shows in Texas.”
In addition to being FFA president for his local chapter, he is president at large for the National Junior Santa Gertrudis Association in Texas. “The junior program is probably the best there is,” Pitchford said. “I love it. … However much work you put into it is what you get out of it. I’ve met amazing people all over the country.”
The association is in charge of all the junior shows in the state and assists in putting on the national junior show. This year it was held in Tampa, Florida, where Pitchford won Grand Champion Purebred and Junior Calf Champion.
“You’re not as successful as Casey is showing cattle if you don’t put the time in to be that successful,” said Athens FFA advisor Ward Wilbanks. “He’s a great kid to have as a leader in our organization. He’s a hard worker and a wonderful communicator.”
His parents, Darrell and Shana Pitchford, have quite a bit to do with that work ethic. “I’ve been taught you have to work for what you get,” said the 18-year-old.
Pitchford isn’t sure yet where he will be attending college. “I like to play baseball; we’ll see how that goes,” he notes. His interests beyond college involve raising his own cattle on his own ranch. He’s also fascinated by veterinary chiropractic work, specifically for large animals and bucking stock.
“In the cattle industry, things don’t always go the way you want with the market. And in baseball, you may not be as naturally gifted as you’d like. But you can work and do the best things to make you better as a player to get that starting position.”
Work hard; get good results. It’s a philosophy we would all do well to embrace.