"I have had a very nice run at Michigan," said Warhurst
Very nice, Ron.
Time flies. I ran for Ron as a walk-on ~25 years ago, before severe title IX roster restrictions. We would start each fall with ~30-40 guys. Ron knew how to make everyone feel welcome and knew how to create champions.
It was amazing how motivating a brief conversation with him could be. Many of my favorite memories are related to being a part of those teams.
After 36 years he deserves the time he can spend with family during retirement, but I hope he finds a way to remain involved in the sport. I think he still has much to offer.
Ron used to make runners from opposing teams feel welcome. There was no 'us versus them' in Ron. I remember the first day I stayed at his house it felt as though we were friends for years.
I hosted Ron at nationals one year. I told him that I only had a pullout sofa, so I would take the sofa and the he could take the bed.
Ron said, "that's okay, malmo, I'll sleep on the floor."
I said, "what do you mean you'll sleep on the floor?"
He said, "I slept in the rain and mud 30 days in a row in 'Nam, I can handle your floor."
Since Ron never talked about 'nam before, and knowing that he had a couple of Purple Hearts (not John Kerry ones, real ones) I took this as an opening to press a little more. He said that he "walked point" while on patrol. The only thing I knew about "point" was from the 60s TV show "Combat" He told me that he had to roll up his pants and go barefoot to feel for trip wires.
"Ron, the jungle in SE Asia is full of poisonous snakes. Weren't you worried about getting bitten?" I asked.
"A snake can't bite you in two," he said, matter-of-factly.
If I knew then what I know now it would have been a coin-toss for my college choice.
Back in the days of the Central Collegiate Conference, our Penn State teams were always told we had to gear up for Michigan and Wisconsin. Harry told us that if we weren't prepared, Ron Warhurst and his boys would kick our asses. Harry then promised us if that happened, then he (Harry) would kick our asses every day the next week in practice!! I recall a lot of Warhurst and Groves footprints.
Congratulations to Ron on a fine career at UM.
farewell to warhurst...one of the last old school big name coaches and a big personality in the sport...will be missed (though hopefully will stay involved in some capacity)
I also ran for Ronnie as a walk-on in the late 80's. Class act through and through. All he asked of you was to give your best and you had earned his respect. Great coach and great person. I had the pleasure to spend some time with him at Penn this year...reminded me of the good times. Definitely will be missed. I agree with the other posters..hopefully, he will remain connected to the sport. Post-collegiate group perhaps?
Surprising that this hasn't made the front page yet.
The only time that I got to talk with him was at the Wisconsin Invite last October. I had asked him if they would be back the next year and he said that they definitely would, that they really liked the new course at Wisconsin and were looking forward to racing it another time before the Big Ten meet at the end of the month. I hope he comes with the team.
We also talked about having a family later in life, since I have had similar a experience, although the gap between his age and his son Luke is even greater than mine with my son.
Finally, I cannot beat this complement (or get any closer than acknowledge it power): "If I knew then what I know now it would have been a coin-toss for my college choice."
bobinvirginia wrote:
I also ran for Ronnie as a walk-on in the late 80's. Class act through and through. All he asked of you was to give your best and you had earned his respect. Great coach and great person. I had the pleasure to spend some time with him at Penn this year...reminded me of the good times. Definitely will be missed. I agree with the other posters..hopefully, he will remain connected to the sport. Post-collegiate group perhaps?
Do not be suprized if Ronnie is working with the Hansons in some capacity. I know that the bros. love Ronnie and are interested in expanding into middle distance.
Former walk-on here. I have to say that Ron has been one of the most influential people in all of my life to this point. He is the kind of guy that is able to roll with the punches and always look at the bright side of things. I remember showing up for Sunday long runs, just feeling miserable, and Ron would be there to shoot the breeze with us and then kick our asses out the door, which is what we needed. He was a class act and had a true love for the sport itself.
I had no business being on a D1 team, but Ron welcomed me on and even coached me to a Big 10 title. I have him to thank for all of it. I wish him the best.
Ron is a class act. Everyone that ran for him respects him beyond belief. I don't know any other coach like that
Does anyone know how old coach is?
How many Oly/WC Medalists has Warhurst coached ?
Did your mother let you out of the basement today? Time to go back.
Oly/WC wrote:
How many Oly/WC Medalists has Warhurst coached ?
2 OG medallists. Brian Diemer & Nick Willis.
3 Com. Games medallists: Nick Willis, Kevin Sullivan, Nate Brannen.
Diemer is Warhurst's only American major medal.
CG is not a major meet. Willis got a Silver in the Olys but he is not American.