Biographies - Ron Emmons

Ron Emmons
has been an integral member of the Jerry Gardziel Fall Classic since its inception in 1985. As the Field Coordinator, Emmons is responsible for on-field activities including field preparation and 60-yard sprint timing. Ron is also involved in recruiting and evaluating teams and in organizing tryouts and practices for Team Dumfries and Team Virginia.

A native of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Emmons turned down a football scholarship at the University of Iowa because they would not allow him to play baseball. He instead joined the Navy where he served 20 years, retiring in 1974. Emmons pitched for 10 years in the service, playing in Great Lakes, Illinois; Pensacola, Florida; Bainbridge, Maryland; and Quantico and Norfolk, Virginia. In 1957 Emmons coached his first Babe Ruth team while in Quantico, Virginia and the coaching bug has held him ever since.

In 1986 Emmons coached the Prince William Grays, a Clark Griffith league team, to the NABF World Series - College Division Championship in Dayton, Ohio and placed second in 1987. Ron volunteered his time as an assistant coach at Graham Park Middle School, Gar-Field High School and Potomac High School. In 1966 Emmons welcomed a new coach, teacher and eventual friend to Graham Park - Jerry Gardziel.

Emmons attended the Navy's Dental College in Great Lakes, Illinois and the Advanced Dental Laboratory in Bainbridge, Maryland. He continued his post graduate work at the Bethesda Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. In 1971 Emmons' book, Dental Laboratory Technology was published and he opened his Dental Lab in Triangle, Virginia.