Ronald Dean James is recognized for his years of dedication to the development of leadership and citizenship in young people through the sport of wrestling

* Two times named Coach of the Year

* Brought March of Champions to the state tournament

Coach Ron "Jessie" James started his coaching career after graduation from Northwest Missouri State in 1967. He spent three years at Prairie Jr. High in Cedar Rapids, lowa before becoming agraduate assistant at his alma mater. In 1973, Ron became head coach at Center High School in Kansas City for one year before returning to be head high school coach at Prairie, where he coached for five years. It was while he was at Prairie that he was named coach of the year in 1978. After the 1979 season, Coach James left lowa for the state of Oregon and Beaverton High School. In 1984, he became head coach at Hillsboro High School.

His winning percentage during his coaching career is 73%, and at Hillsboro, he won more than 220 matches. In 1990, Coach James won his second Coach of the Year. He has coached a total of twelve state champions and two state team championships.

Coach James during his career has coached some of wrestling's great collegiate wrestlers and coaches in Lenny and Jim Zalesky, and Barry Davis to mention just a few.

For his dedication and lasting influence on wrestling, Ron James is presented the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's "Lifetime Service to Wrestling" award for the class of 2004.