Miami Ohio University Athletics
Miami to Induct Five into Cradle of Coaches
12/19/2014 12:00:00 AM | General
OXFORD, Ohio—Miami University Athletics will honor five individuals as it inducts the Cradle of Coaches Class of 2014-15. Comprising this year’s class is Steve Cady (Ice Hockey/Men’s Soccer/Administrator), Dona Layman (Softball), Ron Masanek (Wrestling), Tracy Smith (Baseball) and Dan Stimson (Cross Country/Track & Field).
Steve Cady was instrumental in elevating the Miami University hockey program to varsity status and served as the program’s first coach in addition to a stint as the men’s soccer coach. A fitting tribute, the hockey arena bears his name. Cady has enjoyed a nearly 40-year affiliation with Miami University and Miami Athletics, serving as senior associate athletic director since 1998.
Dona Layman, a former multi-sport athlete at Miami, was a decorated high school coach at Valley View High School (Ohio), serving as the softball coach for 35 years where she amassed well over 400 wins in addition to stints as a basketball and volleyball head coach. Layman was instrumental in starting the Ohio High School Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association in 1986 and was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 1997.
Ron Masanek, former wrestler at Miami, also was a decorated high school coach, who led the Fairfield High School (Ohio) wrestling program for 48 years. Masanek amassed more than 400 career wins, compiling 11 undefeated seasons, and was inducted into the Ohio Wrestling Coaches and Butler County Halls of Fame.
Tracy Smith is in his 19th season as a NCAA Division I head coach, taking his teams to five NCAA Tournaments including a College World Series berth. Smith served nine seasons as head baseball coach at Miami where he produced 317 wins with the RedHawks and also is a former baseball player with the Red and White. He spent nine seasons at Indiana, earning a National Coach of the Year honor with the Hoosiers, and is in his first season leading the Arizona State program.
Dan Stimson served as a collegiate coach for more than 40 years, including nine at Miami, and spent the last 28 years at William and Mary. He led the Tribe men’s and women’s cross country/track & field programs to a remarkable 56 of a possible 106 Colonial Athletic Association titles during his tenure, more than all but one other CAA school earned combined in every sport in the history of the conference.
More information on the induction is forthcoming as is a complete release that fully highlights the accomplishments of the distinguished inductees.
