For the
last 17 years, Ron Hill made his mark as the head coach of the
East Central (Oklahoma) University Tigers, coaching 30 All-Lone
Star Conference players, 15 Lone Star Conference All-Academic
honorees, and winning the 2004 Lone Star Conference-North
Division championship.
Starting
in 2006, Hill will look to establish a new tradition as the
ninth head coach at the University of Arkansas at Monticello
since 1971.
A two-time
conference coach of the year (Oklahoma Intercollegiate
Conference Coach of the Year in 1993 and Lone Star
Conference-North Coach Of The Year in 2004), Hill guided the
Tigers to a 299-449 record during his 17-year tenure in Ada.
In 1993, Hill
guided the Tigers to a runner-up finish in the OIC tournament,
eventually falling to national powerhouse Southeastern Oklahoma
in the championship game. Hill’s 1997 Tigers won 33 games, and
in 2004, the Tigers captured their first conference title under
his watch.
In addition to
the 30 All-LSC players and 15 LSC All-Academic honorees, Hill
also coached the 2004 LSC North Pitcher of the Year (Corey Hall)
and the 2005 and 2006 LSC North Academic Players of the Year
(Kevin O’Brien in 2005 and Cody Carrier in 2006). Also, one of
his recent players – Miguel Abreu – was drafted by the Baltimore
Orioles in 2005.
Prior to taking
the reins as head coach, Hill served as an assistant to ECU Hall
of Fame coach Ken Turner for two years.
Hill was also an
accomplished player at East Central, hitting .355 over his
career and picking up second team All-OIC honors in 1986.
In 1987, Hill
received his bachelor’s degree in health, physical education,
and recreation; and went on to earn two master’s degrees, the
first in secondary education (1988) and the second in secondary
education administration (1991).
Hill is married
to Rosemary Holloway-Hill, who is in her 22nd year as
head softball coach at the University of Louisiana-Monroe.