Ronald Leslie FINLEY

Ron Finley wrestled for Oregon State, placing second in the NCAA Tournament in 1961. He made the US national team in 1962 and wrestled at the 1962 and 1963 World Championships, placing fourth both times, and was sixth at the 1966 Worlds.

In 1970 Finley became wrestling coach at the University of Oregon and coached them from 1970-98, before retiring. He guided the Ducks to Pac-10 Championships in 1975, 1981, and 1982, despite the lack of funding for wrestling at the Eugene school. Finley saved the program several times from being cut as a varsity sport, although it was eventually dropped after the 2008 season. Finley also coached the 1984 US Olympic Greco-Roman team. In 1982 he was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame and later earned a lifetime award for service from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.