Ratchford uses a variety of pedagogical techniques, ranging from bringing in nationally renowned scholars and practitioners as guest speakers, archival research at the CC Special Collections, and field trips to museums in Colorado Springs and Denver. His inviting and engaging classroom environment promotes critical thinking. His courses — such as Comparative Study of Race and Ethnicity, African American History in the West, and American Sport and Society — are cornerstones in the curriculum for History and the college.
Ratchford’s scholarship focuses on protest and sports, and sport as exclusive knowledge production. He critically analyzes the discourses and myths of integration in sport as a positive good that best reinforces American exceptionalism. He has been interviewed by media organizations such as National Public Radio, New York Times, the Athletic, Salon, and The Guardian. He has earned fellowships through the Hulbert Center for Southwest Studies, National Endowment for the Humanities at Harvard University, and the Kentucky Historical Society.
Ratchford received a B.A. in African American Studies from Morehouse College, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in history from Purdue University. He specializes in African American history, Africana Studies, sport studies, Ethnic Studies, the American West, and twentieth century U.S. History. Ratchford is a loyal Kentucky basketball fan, and proud father of Lara and Alex.
