FAIRFIELD – Ty Robbins, who coached wrestling for 30 years at Princeton before retiring in 2018, said he considered former Fairfield coach Ron Masanek a fantastic role model when Robbins was coming up through the ranks.
Robbins and many others have been reflecting on the influence Masanek, 80, has had on their lives as news of the legendary wrestling coach's death emerged Sunday morning.
"Words alone can not even explain what he did for the sport of wrestling. He put Southwest wrestling on the map. Every time we faced Fairfield, I would try and pick up something from him to teach to my kids," Robbins wrote on Facebook. "I used to sit in seed meetings and admire his professionalism. He had a way of getting the very best out of his wrestlers."
Robbins said he will be forever grateful to Masanek, who was inducted into the 2013 Buddy LaRosa's High School Hall of Fame.
"For the last few years, while I was coaching, coach Masanek and I would have great conversations about the sport and life. He came to the last GMC league meet that I coached in and told me he was proud of me and what I did with my program. That in itself was gold," Robbins wrote.
Masanek coached the Indians for 48 years, retiring in 2014, and was the namesake for the Fairfield Invitational wrestling tournament.
He told The Enquirer in 2014, "I had the Walter Alston theory of one year at a time. You hope it's a good year because they are one-year contracts. I was fortunate to be able to have many good years and stay into coaching the sport I love."
The Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati Post, Hamilton Journal and Greater Miami Conference have named him coach of the year on multiple occasions. Masanek was inducted into the Ohio Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame, the Butler County Athletic Hall of Fame and the Fairfield High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
"Ron is regarded as the dean of Greater Cincinnati wrestling, and his run in coaching at Fairfield is believed to be the longest tenure of any high school head coach in Greater Cincinnati history," Fairfield High School published on Facebook in a 2014 post.
"During his 48-year prep career, Coach Masanek compiled a dual meet record of 403-83-3, which ranks in the top five in Ohio high school wrestling history. He produced 11 undefeated seasons, 23 Greater Miami Conference championships, nine Ohio state runner-up teams. In addition, Coach Masanek’s teams have won eight district championships, 15 sectional titles and placed third in the state in both 1991 and 1992."
The post goes on to say Masanek has produced 200 GMC champions, 127 sectional champions, 42 district/regional champions, 150 state qualifiers, 43 state placers and six different individual state champions, including four-time champion Willie Wineberg. Masanek has coached nine high school All-American wrestlers and three Ohio state wrestling tournament MVPs.
Graduating from Parma High School in 1959 and Miami University in 1964, Masanek was a three-year letterman in Oxford, a two-time Mid-American Conference wrestling runner-up and a two-time collegiate national qualifier.
The Greater Miami Conference was among those posting their sympathies Sunday, calling him a positive influence on thousands of young people.
From the GMC, Mason's wrestling program wrote: "Condolences to the Mansanek family and well wishes to everyone at Fairfield. Coach Masanek was a phenomenal human, legendary coach and ultimate competitor. He was a treasure to the SWOH (Southwest Ohio) wrestling community. He will be missed!"
As of Sunday night, final arrangements have not yet been announced. The Enquirer will update this story.
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