Ronald Hugh Ferguson

Ron Ferguson was born at Jackson Park Hospital in Chicago on August 6, 1931 to William and Ruth Ferguson. He grew up in Homewood and attended Thornton Township High School from 1945-1949. During his time at Thornton Ron was a great athlete and starting quarterback in football and starting guard in basketball. He played for Thornton in the Sweet 16 in 1948.

Ron attended the University of Illinois on the Lou Boudreau Scholarship in 1949-1953 where he received his B.S. in Physical Education. After completing his undergraduate degree, Ron spent two years in the United States Army serving as Battery Commander for the 513th AAA Battalion. Ron later returned to The University of Illinois where he completed his Master’s degree in 1956.

He began his coaching career at Thornton High School in 1956 as a backfield coach for varsity football, sophomore baseball coach and assistant coach for men’s varsity basketball. In 1960, Thornridge High School opened and Ron was appointed as the head varsity basketball coach and as an assistant coach in football and track and field. During his tenure as basketball coach, Thornridge won 224 games including two consecutive Illinois High School state championships in 1971 and 1972. These teams won 54 games in a row which was a state record at the time. The 1972 team was considered the finest high school team of all time as published by USA Today. During his years at Thornridge, Ron was voted Coach of the Year 5 times in the South Suburbs, and Illinois Coach of the Year in 1971 and 1972.

In 1973 Ron was named Athletic Director at Thornridge where he served for 3 years before being named assistant basketball coach for Illinois State University in 1975. During those years, Illinois State went 66-18, went to two NIT tournaments as was ranked 13th in the nation in 1977-78.

Ron was appointed Athletic Director at Bradley University in 1978 where he transformed the school’s athletic programs, specifically men’s basketball where the Braves won 5 Missouri Valley Conference Championships and 8 post season tourney appearances. In 1982 Bradley won the NIT National Championship and ended the season ranked in the top 20. Ron was also known for hiring talented coaches and during his tenure he hired Dick Versace, Stan Albeck and Jim Molinari who each won conference titles, NCAA tournament berths and conference coach of the year awards. Ferguson retired from Bradley in 1999 after serving for 18 years as Athletic Director and 3 years as Executive Director of Special Projects. In 1998 Ron was inducted into the Bradley University Hall of Fame.

Ron’s life passion was basketball and he was a charter member of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (“IBCA”) and inductee of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. He was President of the IBCA from 1974-77 where he sat on the Board of Directors for 33 years. In 1979 Ron was awarded the distinguished Ray Meyer Award and in 2003 he was voted into the coveted Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame for his lifetime contributions to Illinois sports.

Ferguson loved sports, but he also loved Peoria and dedicated himself to countless hours of community service and charity events. Ron served as Telethon Chairman and Board Director for United Cerebral Palsy, Chairman of the Peoria Sports Commission, Board Member and inductee of the Peoria Sports Hall of Fame and Public Relations for the Peoria Riverman. Ron had a way of bringing people together and headed up the annual Press Media Luncheon in Chicago and the Peoria Day luncheon held in Naples Florida every February.

In his retirement Ron provided television color commentary for Bradley basketball with Lee Hall where he closed each game with “Goodnight Chloe” – a gesture to his precious poodle.

Ron has surviving children Tamara Deal (Bob), Gary Ferguson (Kim) and Brad Ferguson (Mara). Dawn Ferguson (mother of his children)

In 1995 Ron married Linda Galland and they were happily together for 26 years. She survives. Ron is survived by his stepchildren; Jay Galland (deceased, Michelle) Charlie Galland (Darlene) and Julie Rathje (Todd). Ron has 12 surviving grandchildren.

Ron is also survived by Gloria Kelly who was his assistant and confidant at Bradley University and their friendship spanned decades.

A special thank you to Grandview Alzheimer’s Care for being his home for the past four years. Also thank you Traditions Hospice for his final care.

In lieu of flowers the family asked that donations be made to the “Ron Ferguson Scholarship” at Bradley University.

“Farewell Fergie!”

Ron's celebration of life gathering will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, July 22, 2021 at Bradley University Hayden-Clark Alumni Center 816 N. Tobias Lane Peoria.