Hall of Fame
Mr. Ronald Harris Ford began playing organized basketball at Edison High School in Philadelphia. As captain of the 1958 squad he led his squad to the Public League play-offs and was named the teams' Most Valuable Player. Ford took his talents to Cheyney University where, Ford lettered in basketball from 1959-63. As a point guard he was the teams' captain his final three years. Upon graduation in 1964, he played in the Baker League and played briefly in the Eastern Professional Basketball League.
Ford used his B.S Ed. and M. Ed. degrees to teach students with learning differences and coach several sports in the Philadelphia Public School System. He coached Over High School's JV basketball team two undeafted seasons and was awarded the Outstanding Coach Award from Philadelphia Coaches Association. He also had a winning record as the Head Varsity Coach at Overbrook High School for six years where many of his players went on to have successful college and professional careers. He was the first African American to coah both junior varsity and varsity basketball teams in the history of Overbrook. He dedicated many tireless hours of his time to make sure that his players and students got the leadership, soical and academica skills necessary to build character and determination to make it through life.
Among a long list of achievements, Ron served as the National Director of Community Programs for the Pepsi-Cola Company (Pepsi-Cola N.B.A. Hot Shot Basketball Skills Program, Pepis-Cola National Mobile Tennis Program, and Run-Pepsi-Run, a National Runner's Program). he also participated and coached in the St. Joseph's University Summer Basketball Camp (Phialdelphia, PA), the International Summer Sport Camp (Stroudsburg, PA) and the International Summer Sports Camp in Switzerland and France.
In 2002, Ford retired from teaching after two years at Glen Mills and twenty eight years in the Philadelphia School System. He enjoyed memberships in many civic, educational, and cultural organizations; Kappa Alpha Psi, Men of BACA, NAACP, Wynnefield Residence Association just to nae a few. He was also an ordained Deacon in the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Philadelphia.
Ron was a loving father and enjoyed life to the fullest with his wife Crystal.
