JACKSON, Miss. – Delta State University's winningest swim and dive coach Ronald G. Mayers will be inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, announced by the MSHF on Wednesday.
Known by most as "Ronnie," 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.
Mayers has been incredibly humbled by the news of his induction into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, citing his amazement at being recognized for years spent doing a job he loved. "Athletics has been a part of my life since I was a child, and through the sport of swimming, teaching aquatic classes and as the athletic director at Delta State, I have been able to positively influence the lives of young people and their families. The true reward comes in the friendships and memories made throughout all these endeavors, but being recognized alongside so many other sports icons in Mississippi is the icing on the cake."
With Mayers' induction, the list of Delta State coaches in the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame continues to grow. He joins Gene Chadwick (football), Dave "Boo" Ferriss (baseball), Margaret Wade (women's basketball), Lloyd Clark (women's basketball), Mike Kinnison (baseball), and most recently Steve Rives (men's basketball). Mayers is the first swim coach to be inducted from Delta State.
Mayers became the permanent Director of Athletics on Friday, May 24, 2013, as former president William 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 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 as DSU's Director of Athletics.
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 also garnered 14 NSISC Coach of the Year honors.
Under his leadership, the program produced 56 individual All-Americans, 21 Academic All-Americans and 113 individual conference champions, including 17 diving titles. 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 now bears his name. The $6.2 million facility opened on Jan. 10, 2001, and remains one of the finest competition pools at any level in the nation.
Beginning his career as an instructor in the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation in 1976, Mayers 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.
The Class of 2026 will be celebrated and formally enshrined during the MS Sports Hall of Fame Induction Weekend on July 31-August 1, 2026.
