By Kent State Sports Information

KENT -- The Golden Flashes mourn the passing of Varsity "K" Hall of Famer and long-time wrestling head coach Ron Gray who died last weekend at the age of 86.

A 1999 inductee into the Varsity "K" Hall of Fame, Gray led the Kent State wrestling program for 25 years from 1971 through 1996. He guided the Golden Flashes to 233-112-5 record overall and a 57-10-3 mark in conference. The Flashes won the Mid-American Conference nine times during his tenure including six consecutive titles from 1977 through 1982. Coach Gray was named Mid-American Coach of the Year five times. His Kent wrestlers won 46 individual MAC titles and earned All-America accolades six times. The Flashes finished in the top-20 at the NCAA National Tournament three times under his leadership, including a pair of top-15 finishes.

Gray was also an accomplished collegiate wrestler at Iowa State, he captured two NCAA titles and a runner-up finish. He was voted outstanding wrestling in the United States in 1959. He also served two terms on the NCAA Wrestling Rules Committee and the NCAA Wrestling Executive Committee.

Visitation will be on Friday, July 14th from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM with a brief Memorial Service by Celebrant Kevin O'Brien at 4:00 PM, at Bissler and Sons Funeral Home, 628 W. Main St. Kent, Ohio.