Rochester Institute of Technology Athletics

Ron Rice was the first All-American in RIT swimming history, placing in the 200-yard freestyle at the 1974-75 NCAA Championship. He repeated a year later as part of the 400-yard freestyle relay. The first National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) student to earn All-American plaudits, the native of Warren, Mich. won 82 of 85 races during a brilliant career. He led the team in scoring all four seasons and was Most Valuable Swimmer four times. He served as tri-captain in 1976-77. Rice also set nine school records. Equally impressive are his 16 world records and 12 Gold Medals at the World Games for the Deaf. He was named World Deaf Athlete of the Year and American Athletic Association of the Deaf Athlete of the Year in 1973. Twice he was NTID Male Athlete of the Year.