Dr. Ron Zwierlein (2018) - Hall of Fame - Bowling Green State University Athletics

Dr. Ron Zwierlein

Induction:
2018
Class:
1968

Zwierlein had a hand in many aspects of BGSU Athletics from 1964-1999, beginning as a student-athlete and closing as Athletics Director, holding various roles in between. He also spent seven years with John Carroll University's Athletics Department, as well as time at St. Bonaventure University.

"I am deeply honored to be selected as an inductee of the 2018 BGSU Athletics Hall of Fame," Zwierlein said. "It is humbling to enter this elite group of Hall of Famers, who represent diverse categories of excellence as student-athletes, coaches and administrators. Successes through my lifetime came about through my blue-collar work ethic, instilled upon me by my parents. This roll-up-your sleeves mindset assisted in tackling difficult issues of the day. To be honored for loving and enjoying going to work every day in the field of collegiate athletics was my pleasure. And for that, to be selected to enter the University's Athletics Hall of Fame is the ultimate experience in my sports life."

Zwierlein's BGSU career began in 1964 when he was a member of the swimming and diving team. He earned three letters as a member of the team and served as a captain during his senior season in 1967-68. During his junior and senior seasons he was a finalist in the one-meter and three-meter diving events. He graduated from BGSU in 1968 and returned to Bowling Green for his master's degree and received his doctorate from Ohio State.

Zwierlein's career in collegiate athletics began at John Carroll University in 1975 as the Head Swimming and Diving Coach, serving in that role from 1975-1981, while obtaining the position of Athletics Director from 1977-1981. He then returned to BGSU as the Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Coach for three years, in which the women's team finished second in all three seasons. After stepping down from coaching the swimmers, Zwierlein remained for two more seasons as the diving coach. As a coach, he compiled a 92-37 record and coached 19 All-Americans.

After coaching, Zwierlein accepted a position as the Associate Director of Recreational Sports at BGSU. In this role, he was a pivotal piece in the planning and construction of Perry Field House in 1991. Zwierlein was then promoted to Director of Recreational Sports in 1992 and served as the Interim Vice President for Student Affairs during the 1993-94 academic year. Then, in July of 1994, Zwierlein became the Director of Athletics for BGSU.

As Athletics Director, Zwierlein saw BGSU win both the Reese and Jacoby Cups in 1994-95 and the Reese Cup again in 1995-96. In both 1994 and 1995, BG won the MAC's award for highest student-athlete GPA in the conference. During his tenure, Zwierlein also began the women's soccer program at BGSU and hired the first African-American Head Coach in department history. His achievements were awarded with the American Football Coaches Association's Lifetime Achievement Award.

After serving as Athletics Director, Zwierlein concluded his career at BGSU as the Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, serving in the role from 1999-2004 before becoming the Athletics Director at St. Bonaventure.

"I want to thank my family for their unconditional support during my undergraduate and professional career," Zwierlein said. "Bowling Green Athletics truly exemplifies a family atmosphere. It doesn't matter if you are the student-athlete, coach/staff or administrator, we are all family members working towards the same common goal of excellence and pride in our household (University)."