"What do these Olympians share in common besides their medals? They share an undying faith in the eventual positive outcome and an unwillingness to give up." John Nabor

Ron Copes made his reputation on the football field, but he also played a key role on the hardwood courts. In 1958 Ron was named to the All Capitol District Conference Football Team. In those days, players routinely took the field on both offense and defense, and Ron, a lineman, often played every minute, on both sides of the ball, from kickoff to final buzzer. Linemen don't always get their share of the credit, but Ron won frequent praise from Coach Ralph Worth, whose teams in those years featured such future hall-of-famers as Brian Smith, Fred Koury, Bill Lesinski, and Gene Jenkins.

As a basketball player--team captain in his senior year--Ron had many big games, scoring 20 and leading the team against Stamford, and turning in a 14-point game against New London and a 12-point game against the state champions at Wilbur Cross.

Ron graduated Lincoln University in 1963 and joined the United States Army. He was awarded the Silver Star and retired after 27 years in the rank of colonel. In recognition of his civic activities in the years since his return from the service, Ron has been awarded the City of Hartford Medallion and has been honored by the United Way as Man of the Year. Ron has also received the Mass Mutual Chairman Leadership Award and the Eagle Leadership Institute Award. Ron is a member of the Lincoln University Hall of Fame.