Ronald Harrison Cramer was raised in Tyrone, Pennsylvania. He was the only son of Ann and Bill Cramer. Ron was a three-sport athlete at Tyrone Area High School (Football, Wrestling and Baseball). He went on to attend the University of Wisconsin-Superior where he earned his teaching degree.
After graduating from UW-Superior, Ron accepted a teaching position in Janesville, WI. He has been teaching Physical Education and coaching since 1966. He has been coaching wrestling for 35 years at Parker High School and was Head coach for 34 years. This long coaching career was shared with loyal friends, Ron Brown and Bob Krause. Ron is still actively coaching with Co-Head Coach Andy Coldren.
During his 34 years as Head Coach, Parker High School teams have compiled 340 district meet victories, 21 Conference Dual Championships, 22 Conference Tournament Championships, had 65 State Qualifiers, and 28 State Place winners. They earned 17 WIAA Regional Team Championships, 4 WIAA Team Sectional
Championships, and qualified for WIAA Team State 2 years. Parker has gone 35 years consecutively with a team winning record.
Ron was inducted into the University of Wisconsin Superior's Hall of Fame in Football. He was a NIAA Little All-American his Senior year and Captain and All-Conference his Junior and Senior years.
Much of Parker's success in wrestling must be credited to the dedication of the wrestlers themselves. The parent support in the program along with the alumni support has built the wrestling tradition at Parker. Also to be credited are good youth and middle school coaching and great high school assistant coaching. A Head Coach is only as good as his assistants and volunteer coaches.
Ron's idol and mentor was Mertz Mortorelli. A long time Football and Wrestling coach at UW-Superior, Mertz was number one in Cramer's eyes as a mentor, a great man, role model and one of a kind. Mertz Mortorelli was an Athletic Director and coached under sports also at UW-Superior. Ron feels there aren't enough words to describe what Mertz did for him and for the athletes at Superior. He only hopes that he has carried on a little bit of Mortorelli's coaching style and caring attitude.
Ron's family includes his wife Beth, 3 grown children, their spouses and 7 grandchildren. The entire family lives in Janesville and often helps at meets and tournaments.
Special thanks to Mom and Dad. Anna Mae Cramer who lives in Janesville with our entire family, and William W. Cramer (deceased).