Ron Ballatore (2012) - Hall of Fame

Ron Ballatore

Induction:
2012

A five-time Olympic coach, Ballatore was the men's head swimming coach at UCLA for 16 years. He led UCLA to the 1982 NCAA Championship title, and his swimmers captured 26 NCAA and 62 Pacific-10 Conference event titles. In addition, under Ballatore, UCLA posted a top-five finish at the NCAA Championships 10 out of his 16 years. He was named Pac-10 Conference Coach of the Year four times, and his student-athletes also boasted a 98 percent graduation rate at UCLA. Ballatore was also selected for numerous international and national coaching assignments, including: 1995 U.S. National Team Camp; 1994 World Championships (U.S.A.); 1988 Olympics (U.S.A.); 1984 Olympics (U.S.A.); 1982 World Championships (U.S.A.); 1976 Olympics (Israel); 1975 World Championships (U.S.A.); 1975 Pan-American Games (U.S.A.); 1972 Olympics (Ecuador); and 1968 Olympics (Peru). Ballatore coached 28 Olympians who have won 12 medals, including 10 gold. One of his swimmers, four-time Olympic gold medalist Tom Jager, still holds the world record in the 50-meter freestyle. Ballatore passed away on April 27, 2012.