Ronald Einerson

I had the privilege of playing on two of Coach Einerson's teams (1971 and 1972) and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it (well, maybe not the running lines part). Coach Einerson was more than just a great basketball coach. As others have noted, he taught us life skills that served us off the court as well on it. The importance of hard work, discipline, teamwork, humility, and how to win or lose with grace. I will be forever grateful and fortunate for having Coach Einerson in my life.

There are people in your life who - unknowingly at the time - have an outsized impact on your self-respect, discipline, regard for others, and desire to be your best. Ron Einerson was definitely one of those people. His downstream impact on the young people of Neenah will always be remembered.

Apart from my father, no one had a greater impact on me in my formative years than Coach. I was a team manager on the '69 and '70 teams (thanks to John Arpin for his fine remembrance here) and have often since remembered the lessons of honesty, integrity, hard work and determination that Coach imparted. He had the uncanny ability to say or do the right thing in any moment -- he could be tough or caring, demanding or compassionate, and that great sense of humor would come forward at just the right time. One of the finest men I've ever known and I'm grateful he touched my life as he did. Jeff Love

Speaking for my brother Bill (passed away) and myself it was an honor to be even a small part of coach Einerson’s legacy. Playing for him from 70-72 was a highlight and last memory of our high school years. My father enjoyed going to badger games later in life. It is said that a life isn’t measure by what you have but by the number of lives you have touched. Coach certainly touched many lives. Thanks for the memories. Russ Schultz.

As one of three brothers that played for Coach Einerson during the 1970’s, I can attest to the impact he had on all of our lives that went far beyond the basketball court. He taught all of his players how to be competitive yet respectful young men and how to win and lose with humility and grace. His reach as an educator, a coach, a husband and a father is impossible to overstate. All of those whose lives he touched are much better people because of it.