Inductees

She was among the trailblazers in women’s sports in the early 1970s, playing volleyball, basketball, field hockey and tennis for the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

And when racquetball piqued her interest, she not only excelled but soon created a national professional league for women – and then promoted the sport along with Anheuser-Busch.

Years later, she would give of her time to numerous non-profits, including the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

In other words, Rita West made the most of her celebrity, and it’s why the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame proudly honored her with the 2025 President’s Award.

The award is bestowed on individuals who champion the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame and sports in general in the Show-Me State. She has supported the Hall of Fame by participating in golf events, playing as a celebrity guest with sponsorship teams, and also attending induction ceremonies or sponsoring ads for honorees.

Among her recent big contributions has been playing in the Stan Musial Hall of Fame Championship presented by Landau Pontoons, as she and her husband, former big-league umpire Joe West, have turned out for the two-day event at Old Kinderhook near Camdenton.

The Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit that, throughout most of its 30-year history, has never applied for state or federal grants.

“The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame is a first-class piece of history, that tells the story of the achievements of athlete’s in various sports, recognizes the charitable endeavors of members, and is front and center as a charitable donor to many Missouri organizations,” West said. “Since my induction to the Hall in 2003, I have deeply appreciated the “give back” philosophy of the Hall of Fame and feel that any person that is fortunate to join the Hall of Fame, should be more than willing to help and support the organization in any manner that they are able.”

Certainly, West’s inspiring story is a perfect fit for the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

Known as Rita Hoff in her Incarnate Word Academy days, she soldiered through at UMSL – despite no scholarships for the women’s athletes. In fact, athletes purchased T-shirts at the bookstore, ironed numbers on the backs and wore jean shorts.

She coached UMSL’s women’s basketball team for three years and was an alternate for the 1973 Pan-Am Games.

West added racquetball, thanks to cousin and the St. Louis Blues’ Jimmy Roberts teaching her the game. Soon, she joined the Don Coryell Racquetball Club and, in December 1976 in Memphis, she won the amateur division and was top eight in the pros.

“The exposure secured my first sponsor, Ektelon, a racquet manufacturer,” West said. “That sponsorship lasted 10 years.”

Call it the start of a fascinating success story.

West played professionally from 1976 to 1986, enhancing the sport by becoming one of four founders of the Women’s Professional Racquetball Association in 1980. She was on the Board of Directors and also was part of the TV broadcasts for the WPRA National Finals.

She consistently held a top 10 ranking and was ranked as high as No. 3. West won seven tournaments and earned 22 top three finishes.

“A first-place check ranged from $1,500 to $4,000 during my career,” West said. “Thus, the need for a sponsor and regular job.”

From 1978 to 1986, West was Director of Racquetball Promotions for Anheuser-Busch. She worked with 900 wholesalers to promote Natural Light beer, through appearances, clinics for clients, wholesalers and their children. She also partnered with the NFL Players Association on charitable exhibitions.

Along the way, West was a board member of the Catholic Charities Agency in St. Louis for 10 years, and president for five years of Marian Hall, a girls independent living facility.

She fundraised for St. Patrick’s Church, Sisters of St. Joseph, Father Dunne’s Boys Home, Saint Louis University, Mike Shannon’s CBC Golf, Charlie Gitto’s St. Mary’s High Golf and the Mike Shanahan Golf Event. She did all this while being the GM at Mike Shannon’s Steak & Seafood Restaurant.

To West, she was put in position to do all this thanks to the support of her parents, Rita and Lou, and her brothers, Nick and Bob. West and her friend of 40 years, Major League Baseball umpire Joe West, married in 2019.

“Family, friends and sports have always nurtured and enriched my life, and my 2003 induction into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame was incredibly rewarding,” West said. “And now, to be given the President’s Award, is the crowning jewel of my achievements.”