McKendree University Athletics

Ron earned ten varsity letters: four in basketball, three in football, and three in track. A football halfback, he was selected for the All-Prairie College Conference First Team in 1949. He was captain of the basketball team his junior and senior years and set a school track record of ten seconds for the 100 yard dash. Coaching high school basketball in Olney, Freeburg, and Benton, Ron had established a record of 551 wins and 335 losses by 1988. His teams won nine conference championships, nine regional titles, and fifteen invitational tournament titles. Two of his teams were among the “Sweet Sixteen” finalists in the state tournament. Ron was named Southern Illinois Coach of the Year twice. In 1985 he was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame. In basketball, track and field, cross country, and baseball, his teams have 792 victories and 76 team championships.