RON SLAYMAKER
1936-
Inducted – 2002

As the men’s basketball coach at Emporia State University from 1970-98, Ronald Slaymaker won more games than any Hornet coach in school history. Slaymaker finished his career with 463 victories, five conference titles and four district championships. He was named the NAIA National Coach of the Year in 1986 when his Hornets posted a 31-5 mark. He was also named the District 10 Coach of the Year six times and was the assistant coach for the 1986 U.S. Olympic Festival, Assistant Coach for the U.S. at the 1987 World University Games and served on the 1988 Olympic Basketball Selection Committee. Slaymaker led ESU to four trips to the NAIA National Tournament. As a college player at ESU, he was named first-team all-conference three times and was the NAIA’s leading free throw shooter his senior season, 1960, hitting 90.9 percent. Following high school, he served in the U.S. Army from 1955-57. He coached basketball (112-31 record) and football (37-14-3) at Roosevelt High School before coming to Emporia State in 1970. Inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame, Emporia State Athletic Hall of Fame in 1987 and KBCA Hall of Fame in 1997. Born December 23, 1936 - Newton, Kansas. Graduated Peabody(KS) High School – 1954; Emporia State University – 1960; MS – Emporia State University – 1962; Doctoral – University of Arkansas – 1970.