The Bartlesville Community Foundation is humbled to help honor the legacy of Spence Edward Rigdon with the establishment of the Spence Rigdon Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Rigdon was born and raised in Bartlesville before attending Kansas Community College in Kansas City where he played baseball and earned an associate degree. He continued playing baseball and his education at Pittsburg State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. In 2015, he graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University with a master’s degree in education.
Rigdon started his teaching and coaching career at Marysville, KS High School before returning to Bartlesville in 2004. Upon his return, Rigdon was the head varsity baseball coach at Bartlesville High School. Rigdon was serving as the Bartlesville Public Schools Athletics and Activities Director when he passed away in 2019.
In 1996, Rigdon married Christina V. Gipson and together they had three children, Rilee, Bradee and Cy. Spence enjoyed all aspects of the game of baseball. He loved coaching his players, watching his children’s activities, golfing, hunting, fishing and reading. He also loved OU football and anything George Brett.
The first memorial scholarship of $500 will be awarded in May 2021. To honor Rigdon’s passion for athletics, the recipient will be nominated by the BHS Athletics Department. To be considered, a BHS student must have been involved in BHS athletics or activities during their senior year, involved in extracurricular activities, have plans to attend college as a student athlete, and represent Bartlesville with integrity.
To make a donation to this fund, please visit www.bartlesvillecf.org and click the “Donate” button at the top of the page. Please call the BCF with any questions or for more information at 918-337-2287.
