For decades, coach Ron Fraser has taken the University of Miami’s baseball program to new heights.
At his funeral on Monday, family, friends, and players _ young and old _ took this day to remember Fraser’s legacy on and off the baseball field.
Hundreds came to Saint Mark’s Catholic church in Southwest ranches to their final respects to the longtime University of Miami baseball coach.
A man, UM alum and World Series Champion with the Florida Marlins, Charles Johnson says will truly be missed.
“He was a motivator, a great coach and a father figure to a lot of guys.” Johnson said.
Fraser took over at Miami in 1963 and though his journey he was able to win two national championships and spark a surge in the college game’s popularity with his groundbreaking marketing ideas.
Dave Scott is the race director for the ING Miami Marathon and says he learned so much from Coach Fraser growing up.
“He gave me my first college coaching career way back in 1976 and really helped me along my way in my young coaching career and even today in my present work. I find myself using a lot of the elements he gave us as life lessons,” he said.
The NCAA named Fraser coach of the year three times. He coached many national teams, including the 1992 US Olympic Team. Fraser was 79 years old.