CLEVELAND, Miss. - An event 47 years in the making is set for Saturday, April 13 at 10 AM, as Delta State University and the Department of Athletics will officially dedicate the Ronald G. Mayers Aquatics Center. The ceremony will take place on the South patio of the Mayers Aquatics Center and everyone is invited to attend. President William N. LaForge announced the naming honor in recognition of Coach Mayers years of service to Delta State during Mayers' retirement celebration back in November.

"We are proud to host this special event to honor the legacy of coach Ronnie Mayers here at Delta State and to the sport of swimming in Mississippi," Mike Kinnison, director of athletics, said. "Coach Mayers has been and will continue to be a staple on our campus and there is no better way to recognize his contributions to the Statesmen and Lady Statesmen than with Saturday's dedication."

Saturday's ceremony will feature remarks by President LaForge, former standout swimmers Chrissy Keller LaMastus and Cetin Oguz, and current Delta State head coach Dan'l Murray. A reception will follow.

Coach Mayers has been a mainstay at DSU since stepping foot on the Cleveland campus as a student-athlete.  The Natchez, Miss., native has served the department as Head Swim Coach, Director of Aquatics, Assistant Professor of HPER, Assistant Athletic Director for Special Projects and Development, and most recently as Director of Athletics. 
 
He became the permanent Director of Athletics on Friday, May 24, 2013, as President LaForge announced his appointment to the position. He officially retired from the post on December 31, 2018.
 
His tenure as Director of Athletics was marked by a period of facility enhancements and staff growth, but his greatest focus was always been on improving the student-athlete experience. Parker Field-McCool Stadium, Tim & Nancy Harvey Stadium at Dave "Boo" Ferriss Field, Walter Sillers Coliseum, University Field, and Statesmen Boulevard were all enhanced during his time in office.
 
Mayers also oversaw the additions of statues honoring the legacies of legendary head coaches Margaret Wade and Dave "Boo" Ferriss, and the naming of the court at Walter Sillers Coliseum in honor of Lloyd Clark.  

Prior to being named AD, Mayers was known as one of the nation's top collegiate swim coaches after spending 20 years at the helm of the men's and women's swimming and diving teams at Delta State. His teams captured five women's New South Intercollegiate Swim Conference titles and six men's championships. Mayers has also garnered 14 NSISC Coach of the Year honors.

The program produced 56 individual All-Americans, 21 Academic All-Americans and 113 individual conference champions, including 17 diving titles, under Mayers' leadership. His teams made 15 NCAA Division II National Championship appearances.
 
During his time coaching, Mayers spearheaded a campaign to build the DSU Aquatics Center, a facility that will now bear his name. The $6.2 million facility opened on Jan. 10, 2001 and it remains to this day one of the finest competition pools at any level in the nation.

He began his career as an instructor in the DSU Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation in 1976. He also served as the head coach of the Delta Aquatic Club age-group team from 1974-1989, a program he established.

He graduated from Delta State with a B.S.E. in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation in 1974, and went on to earn a Master of Education in Physical Education, and Recreation in 1975.

Mayers is married to the former Karen Scott of Natchez. They have a daughter, Ann Marie Mayers Pate (Brady) and one grandson, Mabry.