Ron Marquette
Roland "Ron" Marquette was born to Ralph and Katherine Marquette in the small Northwest Ohio town of Cygnet in 1929. His love for athletics, especially basketball and baseball, was cultivated and shared with his younger brother Leroy "Cot" Marquette as the pair excelled in both sports growing up in Cygnet.
After graduating from Cygnet High School in 1948, Ron gave professional baseball a shot, accepting an invitation to the Cleveland Indians spring training rookie camp in Daytona Beach, Florida. After his dream of playing professional baseball ended, Ron returned home and enrolled in Findlay College in 1950 to begin prolific college basketball and baseball careers. His career at Findlay was interrupted by a draft notice from the US Army and two years of service, during the Korean War.
Upon his return to Findlay in 1952, Ron reunited with brother Cot and the pair led Findlay College to basketball prominence. During his career at Findlay, Ron was a three-time Mid-Ohio League first-team selection. He led the Oilers in scoring and had the distinction of being the only college opponent to ever outscore the legendary Bevo Francis of Rio Grade College. His Findlay College team was later inducted into the Hancock County Hall of Fame.
After graduating from Findlay in 1954, Ron started his career as an educator, teaching and coaching basketball at Kalida High School and Sylvania High School. In 1964, Ron completed his Masters degree in educational administration and started his career as a principal at Sylvania High School. After a four-year stint as principal at Mansfield Malabar High School, Ron moved to the Ashland City Schools in 1971 and served 16 years as high school principal and assistant superintendent until his retirement in 1987.
During his administrative career, Ron was known for being very supportive of interscholastic athletic programs. He served as a member of the Ohio High School Athletic Association State Board of Control and Northwest District Athletic Board, bringing many OHSAA sectional and district tournaments to Ashland. In 1976, he was inducted into the Findlay College Athletic Hall of Fame. After retiring from education administration, he served as Third Ward Councilman for the City of Ashland. Ron was a former board member of the Ashland County Sports Hall of Fame. He was a member of
St. Edwards Catholic Church where he served on the church council.
Ron married Findlay native Phyllis Breitigam in 1954. Their children include three sons John, Mike, Tom (Jennifer) Marquette and two daughters, Ann Marquette and Beth (Kip) Matteson. His six grandchildren include Michelle (Jim) Comerford, Nichole (Andrew) Cooper, Katie (Chris) Bacon, Mare Matteson, and Scott and Ryan Marquette. Ron most enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren, who inherited his passion for athletics, compete in a variety of sports including basketball, baseball, track, fast-pitch softball, volleyball, soccer and golf.
Nominator: TOM HERRON