Legendary University of Miami baseball coach Ron Fraser, know by many as “The Wizard of college baseball” has died at the age of 79. (Source: .hurricanesports.com)
Miami Marlins
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Loved one and fans paid their respects to former University of Miami baseball coach Ron Fraser.
A viewing was held Sunday at Stanfill Funeral Homes in Miami. A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in Southwest Ranches. The burial will be a private ceremony for the family in Ron’s hometown of Nutley, N.J.
Known as “The Wizard of College Baseball,” Fraser died on January 20th after a long fight with Alzheimer’s disease, according to family spokesman Tony Segreto. He was 79 years old.
In his 30 years with UM, Fraser amassed a 1,271-438-9 record at UM from 1963 through ‘92, at the time behind only the late Southern Cal’s Rod Dedeaux (1,332-571-11), according to CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald.
Fraser took Miami to 20 consecutive NCAA Regional berths and 12 College World Series appearances. He also led the Canes to the national championship in 1982 and 1985.
Fraser is credited with transforming UM baseball from an afterthought to a national power house. He was also a key player in getting ESPN to broadcast college baseball games which has become part of their rotation of spring sports.
