New SHSU Strength and Fitness Center to be Dedicated

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Oct. 27, 2006

HUNTSVILLE, Texas - Sam Houston State University 's new strength and fitness facility adjacent to Bowers Stadium will be designated as the Ron Randleman Strength and Fitness Center in a special ceremony to be held Saturday, Oct. 28, at 4 p.m.

Randleman was head football coach at Sam Houston for 23 years (from 1982 to 2004), totaling 132 victories and leading the Bearkats to five conference championships and four national playoff appearances. He served as director of athletics from 1984 to 1990, coordinating the University's move from NAIA and the Lone Star Conference to membership in the Southland Conference and competition at the NCAA Division I level.

During his 36 years as a head football coach, Randleman compiled a career record of 219 victories, 166 losses, and six ties to rank sixth all-time among NCAA Division I-AA coaches in total wins. During his tenure at William Penn, Pittsburg State, and Sam Houston, he won 11 conference championships and directed teams to post-season play 10 times. He was honored as regional or conference "Coach of the Year" 12 times.

The new center was made possible by a gift of $250,000 by Houston businessman and Bearkat alum Ron Mafrige. The 11,000 square foot facility will be utilized by student-athletes from all 16 varsity sports. The center consists of coaches' offices, men's and women's dressing rooms, and a 9,000 square foot area for weights.

"There couldn't be a better way to honor Ron Randleman and his contributions to this University than by naming the strength and fitness center in his honor," Sam Houston Director of Athletics Bobby Williams said. "Ron made a tremendous impact on Sam Houston. He directed a winning program with integrity. More than 90 per cent of players who stayed with coach until their senior year earned their Sam Houston degree. Ron hired me as an assistant coach in 1982. I have five championship rings because of this man. He taught me and a whole lot of other people to be winners and to win with class."

Named as head coach on Feb. 5, 1982, Randleman took over a program that had gone 25-67 in its last eight seasons at the NAIA level. He built the Bearkats into a team that earned NCAA Division I-AA national rankings in 1986 (11 th ), 1987 (19 th ), 1991 (12 th ), 2001 (7 th ), and 2004 (4 th ). Randleman directed the Bearkats to top four Southland Conference finishes in 11 of Sam Houston's first 17 seasons as a league member. Named Southland "Coach of the Year" in both 1991 and 2001 after directing the Kats to Southland titles, his record as Bearkat head coach was 132 victories, 124 losses, and three ties.

His final season in 2004, the Bearkats made their first NCAA Division I-AA national semifinals appearance, produced a school record season victory total (11), and won the Southland Conference championship. Sam Houston was the most improved team in NCAA Division I-A and I-AA football. Randleman was a finalist for the Eddy Robinson award as I-AA national "Coach of the Year."

A native of Iowa (born Dec. 17, 1941), and a 1960 graduate of Carlisle (Iowa) High School, Randleman was an all-conference quarterback at William Penn College in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He received a Bachelor's degree from William Penn in 1964 and a Master's degree from the University of Iowa in 1969.

Randleman coached at Twin Cedars High School in Bussey , Iowa , from 1964 to 1966 before returning to his alma mater, William Penn, as offensive coordinator and golf coach. He was named as head coach in 1969, compiling a 51-17-1 record from 1969 to 1975. He directed the Statesmen to the NAIA post-season playoffs three times (1972, 1974, and 1975). From 1976 to 1981, Randleman served as head coach at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg , Kansas , where he compiled a 36-25-2 record. He directed the Gorillas to three Central States Conference championships and a trip to the NAIA national finals in 1981.

Randleman's wife, Margie, holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Southern Mississippi and her Doctor of Education degree from Texas A&M. His son, Brad, earned his Bachelor's degree at Columbia and his Doctor of Medicine degree at Texas Tech. Randleman has two granddaughters, Taylor Nicole and Casey Jordan. Randleman's daughter, Mindie, is attending Sam Houston and working as a student assistant in the sports information office Construction on the new center began in 2004 after Mafrige presented the University with a check for $250,000 at ceremonies during the Bearkat Homecoming football game.

Ron Mafrige presents check to SHSU President James Gaertner and Director of Athletics Bobby Williams at 2005 Bearkat Homecoming

"Ron's generosity is making a dream come true for Bearkat athletics," Williams said. Our current 2,000 foot weight room was opened in 1986. Completion of the new strength and condition project combined with our new baseball/softball complex will give Sam Houston State athletic facilities second to none in the Southland Conference."

"The new weight room will benefit all 16 of our sports, both from a recruiting aspect and in helping us better condition our young men and women student-athletes," Williams said. "Ron Mafrige is a long time supporter not only of Bearkat athletics, but the entire University. We are deeply grateful for his gift."

Mafrige is chair of the "Share the Vision" development campaign. His gift is the first step in encouraging other donations of this type

An owner of his own business in Houston, Mafrige is a 1960 graduate of Sam Houston State Teachers College with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree.

After receiving his degree, he served in the U.S. Army, remaining in the Army Reserves for 14 years and achieving the rank of Major before he retired.

In 1968, he formed what would become Ron Mafrige Enterprises, Inc., which has leased over one million commercial square feet of office space in the City of Houston, as well as helped pioneer the suburban office development as the exclusive agent for Strokes Adair Enterprises in Houston.

At SHSU, he is on the board of directors for the Alumni Association, the Kat Pack and the College of Business Administration; is a Life Endowed Member of the Alumni Association; a lifetime member of the T Association Letterman Club; director of the Kat Pack Club; and is a 1997 Distinguished Alumni.

In addition to many financial and gift donations, Mafrige and his late wife, Linda, established a $1 million endowment for the College of Business Administration in the name of Glenn Adams, who was president of his company at the time; and has had the auditorium in the Smith-Hutson Business Building named in his and his wife's honor.

Outside of his university endeavors, the Mafriges have established similar scholarship programs at his high school, San Marcos Baptist Academy, and at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where seven of his $10,000-scholarship recipients have opted to attend SHSU.

He is a lifetime member of the Houston 100 Club, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the Republican National Committee and the Houston Realtors--Political Action Committee, along with having served on the board of directors for numerous other foundations and agencies.