Class of 1998

Ron Clinton

University of Illinois

 

Ron Clinton's wrestling career began at Ponca City High School in Oklahoma where he was an outstanding wrestler.

His collegiate wrestling days at Oklahoma State University saw him win 3 Big 8 Championships, place 3rd, 2nd and then win the Championship in the NCAA's Division I.  Ron's coaching career began at Tucson High School in Arizona where he coached for 5 years.  He then went to Wyoming University as an Assistant Coach and then to Eastern Illinois University where he spent 10 years as a coach before moving to the University of Illinois for 10 years. After 10 years he took a medical retirement.

While a coach at Eastern Illinois nine out of his 10 teams placed in the Top 20 in Division 2. His team was 4th in 1977, 3rd in 1978, 2nd in 1979, 3rd in 1980 and 2nd in 1981. Ron was named Division II Coach of the Year in 1979. He coached 31 Division II All-Americans, of which 7 were champions. He had 8 Division I All Americans. Eastern Illinois University inducted the entire 1979 Wrestling Team into their School Hall of Fame.

While at the University of Illinois he produced 21 Big, 10 place winners, of which 4 were champions. He had 5 Division I All Americans and 1 was a champion.

Each of his 10 years at Illinois the University became the headquarters for the Illinois National Junior Free Style and Greco-Roman Teams.