Dale "Pete" Atkins (2016) - CU Athletic Hall of Fame - University of Colorado Athletics

Dale "Pete" Atkins

Induction:
2016
Class:
1943

Dr. Dale “Pete” Atkins was a two-time, first-team All-Mountain States Conference performer, and likely would have been an All-American but the first team wasn’t selected until after World War II … In 1941, he enjoyed one of, if not the, finest seasons as a pitcher in CU baseball history when he was 7-0, with 70 strikeouts in 61 innings; he allowed 20 earned runs for a 2.93 ERA ... He led the conference in wins and struck out 19 batters in a season-opening 7-4 win at Colorado Mines (second-most in school history) … The Buffaloes were 10-2 overall that season, 6-2 in league play, winning its second straight Mountain States Conference title ... He was also unbeaten on the mound in 1942, earning all-league mention … Atkins would later play semi-pro baseball and was recognized by the Colorado Rockies, receiving its Pioneer Award in 1993 ... He was also inducted into the CU "Living Legends" that same year ... Atkins earned three degrees from CU (A&S'43, MD'45 and MSci'53) … He served his country as a captain in the Medical Corps of the US Army (1946-48) … He followed his playing days with a distinguished career in medicine, and served as a member of the Board of Regents for two terms (1962-74) … He was President of the Denver Buffalo Quarterback Club, a member of the Board of the Denver Area CU Alumni, a lifelong member of Alumni Directors Club, Buff Club, and Alumni C-Club … In 2009 he received the George Norlin Award which honors alumni of CU-Boulder for distinguished lifetime achievement (recognizing outstanding alumni who throughout their lives have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in their chosen field of endeavor and a devotion to the betterment of society and their community) … He established himself as one of the nation's outstanding urologists. Atkins interned in medicine at Boston University Medical Center, formerly Massachusetts Memorial Hospital in 1944, was a resident at CU in general practice (1948-50), and urology (1950-53) … In 1953 he started practice in Denver in the specialized field of urology and was the Assistant Clinical Professor of Urology at CU's Medical School in 1962 … Atkins established a monthly clinic in Del Norte, Colo., to enable rural Coloradoans the option of receiving specialized medicine, urology, without the expense of traveling to Denver … He received a Presidential Citation from the American Urological Association (South Central Section) acknowledging his lifetime dedication to the Art and Science of Urology and in earned the President's Special Award in 2001 … A native of Paonia, Colo., he was also known as “the Paonia Peach” and “Pistol Pete.” He passed away on Sept. 6, 2010, at the age of 88.