David's Story

When working in a Recreation setting, one would think being able to stay active and well would be relatively simple. But in reality, it takes hard work and dedication to do what you love, just ask David Pitts.

Pitts stays busy at his role with OU Recreation and Well-Being, but that isn’t all. He likes to say that he has three full-time jobs; his position at Rec Well, a photographer and being a father.

“I like to differentiate throughout the day. I think change is good. So I have my Rec hat on throughout the day, and then I'm able to do something else,” he says. “I think that allows me to continue to do this job, allows me to refresh.”

Luckily for Pitts, he loves doing what he does and his positive energy and productivity are what enables him to continue to feel great at work. The noises of the basketballs bouncing and patrons laughing are essential to him.

Working at the Rec was something Pitts was chasing his entire professional career, whether he knew it or not. He cites that whenever he has been around the Rec Center, as both a student and staff member, he has been in his peak physical and mental shape.

“The entire time I was gone, I remember always comparing where I worked to Oakland,” he says.

The Rec provides Pitts with plenty of opportunities to pursue his wellness alongside doing what he loves. He highlights the employee wellness programs, like pickleball and a golfing event, as well as the freedom to go on a jog or walk to refresh the mind and body.

He believes in a work-life balance and that well-being is a combination of being whole, whether that comes from physical stimulation from things like hockey or mental stimulation with his drawing or photography. He is able to do it with precise scheduling and recognizes his wife who is a support system for him.

“I’m very much a free spirit… but as I matured in life, I had kids and I’m married, I realized that it’s not just my schedule,” Pitts says. “You just have to have a good support system and balance.”

And with that, a majority of his motivation comes from his kids. He wants to be able to stay active and do things with his two boys and eventually with his grandchildren. For him, it’s all about being a good father.

“I measure my success in life by how good of a father I am, not money, not jobs. And I think because I had a really good father,” Pitts explains. “My father was a very athletic person, but he had dealt with addiction in various ways. And so later in his life, he was unable to do a lot of the things that he wanted to do.”

“That is a motivator for me to not do that. Love my father very much but he had his demons and I don't want my children to see that. That's why I get up every day. That's why I do what I do.”