First as a two-sport standout, then later as an alum, few individuals have had as profound an impact on Heidelberg Athletics as Ron Linhart '79, who passed away on Tuesday.   

A native of Findlay, Linhart won seven varsity letters at Heidelberg -- four in baseball and three in basketball.  Linhart led the OAC in batting average (.479) and stolen bases (34) as a senior, marks which still sit atop the Heidelberg record book.  On the hardwood, Linhart played in more than 60 games during his career and once strung together 38 consecutive free throws.  As a senior, he averaged 13.6 points per game.

Linhart was inducted into the Heidelberg Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999.  

In the years since his graduation, Linhart remained connected to his alma mater.  For years, Linhart was the president of the H Association -- the main booster club for Heidelberg Athletics.  In 2004, Linhart, along with then-athletic director Jerry McDonald '76, created the Back the Berg Golf Outing.  Back the Berg, now in its 18th year, remains the largest annual fundraiser for the Student Princes.  Linhart won the event on two occasions.  

In the hopes of continuing Linhart's lasting legacy, his family has asked that donations be made to Heidelberg University Athletics, Ron Linhart '79 Memorial Fund. To contribute, gifts can be made online, or sent to:

Ron Linhart '79 Memorial Fund
Heidelberg University
310 E. Market St.
Tiffin, OH 44883

The Heidelberg Athletics community wishes to extend our sincere condolences to Ron's wife Sheila '80, and the entire Linhart family.