MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (March 29, 2018) – West Virginia University Senior Associate Athletic Director/Executive Director of the Mountaineer Athletic Club Ben Murray announced today the establishment of The Ron “Fritz” Williams Scholarship.
The endowment will provide a yearly undergraduate scholarship for a men’s basketball shooting guard. Recipients shall demonstrate acceptable academic promise, have a record of good citizenship and be registered as a full time undergraduate student enrolled in 12 or more hours at WVU for the upcoming semester.
The scholarship was established by West Virginia natives and WVU alums Joe and Lisa Subrick.
“West Virginia basketball has a long and outstanding history, and Ron Williams played a major role in our program’s success,” Director of Athletics Shane Lyons said. “Ron is one of our all-time greats, and this generous gift by Joe and Lisa Subrick is a tremendous tribute to Ron, not just as a basketball player, but also as a student-athlete and role model. Special thanks to the Subrick’s in helping to continue Ron’s legacy at West Virginia University.”
A native of Weirton, West Virginia, Williams was one of the first African-American basketball players at WVU and the Southern Conference in 1965 and played in 84 varsity games from 1965-68, scoring 1,687 points, dishing out 504 assists and shooting 44 percent from the field. Williams scored 20 or more points in a game 46 times and led WVU to a Southern Conference championship in 1967. He averaged 20.4 points per game as a senior and 20.1 points per game for his career.
Following his senior season, Williams declined an invitation to try out for the U.S. Olympic team and became the first guard drafted (ninth player overall selected) in the 1968 NBA draft by the San Francisco Warriors. He also was picked in the 14th round of the NFL draft by the Dallas Cowboys, but after receiving a guaranteed three-year contract, he opted to stick with basketball.
Traded to the Milwaukee Bucks before the 1973-74 season, Williams completed his NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1976. He went on to coach basketball at various levels.
“I’m so happy that Joe brought to light the greatness of Ron “Fritz” Williams,” coach Bob Huggins said. “Not only was he a great All-American at West Virginia University, but he also had a successful eight-year career in the NBA. Fritz helped open the door for African-American athletes at the University.”
Williams died on April 8, 2004. A member of the WVU Sports Hall of Fame, he was named an inaugural member of WVU’s Mountaineer Legends Society in 2017.
Those interested in supporting the endowment of The Ron “Fritz” Williams Scholarship should contact the MAC at 1-800-433-2072.
The endowment will provide a yearly undergraduate scholarship for a men’s basketball shooting guard. Recipients shall demonstrate acceptable academic promise, have a record of good citizenship and be registered as a full time undergraduate student enrolled in 12 or more hours at WVU for the upcoming semester.
The scholarship was established by West Virginia natives and WVU alums Joe and Lisa Subrick.
“West Virginia basketball has a long and outstanding history, and Ron Williams played a major role in our program’s success,” Director of Athletics Shane Lyons said. “Ron is one of our all-time greats, and this generous gift by Joe and Lisa Subrick is a tremendous tribute to Ron, not just as a basketball player, but also as a student-athlete and role model. Special thanks to the Subrick’s in helping to continue Ron’s legacy at West Virginia University.”
A native of Weirton, West Virginia, Williams was one of the first African-American basketball players at WVU and the Southern Conference in 1965 and played in 84 varsity games from 1965-68, scoring 1,687 points, dishing out 504 assists and shooting 44 percent from the field. Williams scored 20 or more points in a game 46 times and led WVU to a Southern Conference championship in 1967. He averaged 20.4 points per game as a senior and 20.1 points per game for his career.
Following his senior season, Williams declined an invitation to try out for the U.S. Olympic team and became the first guard drafted (ninth player overall selected) in the 1968 NBA draft by the San Francisco Warriors. He also was picked in the 14th round of the NFL draft by the Dallas Cowboys, but after receiving a guaranteed three-year contract, he opted to stick with basketball.
Traded to the Milwaukee Bucks before the 1973-74 season, Williams completed his NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1976. He went on to coach basketball at various levels.
“I’m so happy that Joe brought to light the greatness of Ron “Fritz” Williams,” coach Bob Huggins said. “Not only was he a great All-American at West Virginia University, but he also had a successful eight-year career in the NBA. Fritz helped open the door for African-American athletes at the University.”
Williams died on April 8, 2004. A member of the WVU Sports Hall of Fame, he was named an inaugural member of WVU’s Mountaineer Legends Society in 2017.
Those interested in supporting the endowment of The Ron “Fritz” Williams Scholarship should contact the MAC at 1-800-433-2072.
