Ron Fraser (Gamma Rho/Florida State 1960), longtime baseball coach for the University of Miami, died Sunday after a prolonged battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 79.
Affectionately known as "The Wizard of College Baseball," Fraser coached the Miami Hurricanes from 1963-92, acquiring a 1,271-438-9 record and ending his career as the third most winning coach in NCAA history. He led the Hurricanes to College World Series titles in 1982 and 1985, was NCAA Coach of the Year four times, and named World Amateur Coach of the Year in 1973 for leading the U.S. to its only World Amateur Championship.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013, at Stanfill Funeral Hhome, 10545 S. Dixie Highway, Miami. A funeral mass will be 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 28, 2013, at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, 5601 S. Flamingo Road, Southwest Ranches, Fla. A private family burial will be held in Nutley, N.J.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Feb. 23 at the University of Miami campus. Details will be announced at a later date. Afterwards, the celebration will move to Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field for Miami’s baseball game against Milwaukee. The game has been designated as the “Remembering Ron Fraser” game with proceeds benefitting the Ron Fraser Wizard Fund.
Memorials may be made to the Ron Fraser Wizard Fund. For more information contact Rick Remmert, University of Miami Director of Alumni Programs, at (305) 284-9517, or by e-mail at r.remmert@miami.edu.