Ron Bargatze in the category of Meritorious Service for his coaching and long time commitment to Trevecca athletics.
Ron Bargatze coached the Trevecca Nazarene College Trojan men's basketball team during the 1978-79 season.
Bargatze brought a new brand to the Trevecca Athletics with marketing and promotions included. He also introduced the Trojan Nation to Neihi Purple uniforms that were a trademark of that era of Trojans.
His first win was the program's first win over Don Meyer and David Lipscomb College. His second win came on a neutral court against a seventh-ranked Cumberland College (Ky.) team. He guided Trevecca to a program-first win over Belmont, his alma mater.
After a 4-28 season the year before, Bargatze led his Trevecca Nazarene Machine to a 14-18 record and a fourth place finish in the conference with a 7-7 record. It was the most conference wins in the history of the program. The team was 1-13 in the conference the previous year and had just four conference wins in the five previous seasons.
With Coach B's recruits for the 1978-79 season and the players he signed for the next season, Trevecca started a nine-season winning streak with the 1979-80 season.
Melvin Taylor (2079), Calvin Holmes (1289), Greg Pemberton (1284), Fred Harris (1154), and Roosevelt Burrell (1484) all played for or were recruited by coach Bargatze. Each of them scored more than 1000 career points. Taylor was the first 2000-point scorer in Trevecca history.
Gary Van Atta, the Trevecca women's basketball coach for the last 11 years, served as the captain of the team and was the starting post player that season.
Coach B offered this statement on his induction into the Trevecca Athletic Hall of Fame.
I was physically at Trevecca for only a short time, but emotionally, I have never left. I treasure the lifetime of memories and relationships that are indelibly in my soul since I left 37 years ago.
In my entire athletic life, leaving Trevecca is the one mulligan I wish I had. I love the school, the culture and the Nazarene Faith.
Two of my former players, Mark Elliott and Gary Van Atta, are currently prominent fixtures at Trevecca. My son-in-law, Nick Peeples, is a Nazarene Senior Pastor in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. A priority of mine is to check all Trevecca athletic results every day.
I genuinely love everyone who was a part of the 1978-79 Trojan Basketball Program. From the players, coaches, managers and trainers, to Tommy Bryan, Billy Dent, Marilu White, Buddy Vaughan and Super Trojan, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for providing the favorite year of my coaching life, because we were, indeed, a family.
I am so honored and thankful that you have chosen to include me in this select group, the Trevecca Nazarene University Athletic Hall of Fame.
This statement is dedicated to the memory of Fred Harris.
