Legendary Miami baseball coach Ron Fraser dies

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The University of Miami lost one of its legends Sunday.

Ron Fraser, Hurricanes baseball coach from 1963-92, passed away, his family announced. He was 79.

Fraser won College World Series titles in 1982 and ’85 and 1,271 games. The school announced in October it was establishing the Ron Fraser Wizard Fund and would build a bronze statue in his honor.

In 2006, Fraser was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame. Before coming to Miami, Fraser played two seasons at Florida State.

“Personally, I am very excited about this because Coach Fraser is the most influential person in my career and the man who put college baseball on the map,” UM baseball coach Jim Morris said in a news release announcing the Fraser fund. “He is like a father to me, and I encourage Hurricane fans and college baseball fans to join me in making a contribution.”

Longtime Miami baseball public address announcer Jay Rokeach released a statement Sunday afternoon.

“The South Florida community, the University of Miami and the college baseball world has lost one of its best assets,” said Rokeach, whose entering his 45th year behind the mic. “There will only be one ‘wizard’ of college baseball, and he will always be remembered as a great innovator, motivator, and one of the greatest coaches in the history of baseball.”

The University of Miami’s official athletics Twitter feed paid respects Sunday afternoon.

“Everyone in the extended Miami Hurricanes’ family mourns the passing of legendary baseball coach Ron Fraser. #RIP,” the message read.

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