A new scholarship has been established with the Kishwaukee College Foundation honoring Ronald S. Sweet Jr. — one of the most successful coaches in the history of Kish’s volleyball program.
The endowed fund will provide ongoing scholarship support for Kishwaukee College students with significant financial need. Sweet’s father, Ronald Sweet Sr., recently made a $100,000 contribution to establish the scholarship.
“We chose Kishwaukee College for the scholarship because it was a very important part of Ron’s life when he was coaching there. It was also instrumental in his decision to further his own education,” said Sweet Sr. “Volleyball was Ron’s passion. Not only did his coaching experience and accomplishments boost his own personal confidence, but the confidence and self-assurance of the members of his team.”
“The Foundation is honored to work with the Sweet family to commemorate Ron’s legacy by providing financial support to Kishwaukee College students,” said Dr. Kayte Hamel, Executive Director of the Kishwaukee College Foundation. “This generous donation will directly impact students in our community for years to come.”
Sweet Jr. started at Kish in 2001 as an assistant coach under Wayne King’s program, which won National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II National Championships in 2001 and 2002. In 2003, Sweet took over the program and would capture three more NJCAA Division II National Championships as head coach in 2007, 2008 and 2009. His career record was 336-43 (.887) during his time as head coach of the Kougars, which lasted until 2009. During his tenure, Sweet would earn NJCAA Division II Coach of the Year two times, NJCAA Region IV Coach of the Year six times, Arrowhead Conference Coach of the Year seven times and American Volleyball Coaches Association Midwest Coach of the Year twice. Additionally, he coached numerous NJCAA All-Americans and Academic All-Americans.
“Ron continued to build the Kishwaukee College volleyball program as a national powerhouse during one of the most successful eras of Kish athletics,” said Scott Kawall, Kishwaukee College Athletic Director. “His efforts went beyond the achievements on the court, as Ron truly cared about the success of his athletes in the classroom and beyond.”
Following his time at Kish, Sweet coached volleyball at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va. and Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C. In 2018, Sweet was inducted into both the Kishwaukee College Athletics Hall of Fame and the NJCAA Region IV Hall of Fame. Sweet passed away in November 2019.
While Sweet’s ties to Kish were through athletics, the scholarship will be available to any students with financial need who are enrolled in six or more credit hours.
“Ron would be very happy to know that all Kish students, not just athletes, will benefit from this scholarship. He would also be happy to know that he is still helping young men and women continue their education,” Sweet Sr. said.
For more information on the Kishwaukee College Foundation, visit www.kish.edu/foundation.