3-Time, SCC All-Sports Men's Coach of the Year Ron Kamaka Passes at 59

Release edited from Mt. San Antonio College's Athletics release

Mt. San Antonio College's award-winning men's cross country/track and field head coach Ron Kamaka has died after a courageous, two-month battle from complications of COVID-19. He passed away on March 6. 

"We will all truly miss Ron," replied Mt. SAC Director of Athletics Joe Jennum.  "He was an incredible professor, coach and friend who demonstrated how much we should cherish each day.  Although he may have left us physically, his legacy and the lessons he has taught us will live on."      

Kamaka joined the Mt. SAC Family in 2008 after serving as an assistant and associate head coach at Cal State Fullerton for 12 years.  Taking over as head coach in 2013, he led the Mounties to three CCCAA State Championships in men's track and field (2015, 2016, 2018).  During this time, he was named South Coast Conference All-Sports Men's Coach of the Year 3 times--in 2014-15, 2015-16, and 2017-18. 

A former community college high jump state champion while at Santa Rosa Junior College (1983, 7-foot jump), Kamaka went on to jump at Arizona State University.  

A bodysurfing accident in Hawaii left him a quadriplegic, but Kamaka turned to teaching and coaching where he flourished.  A native Hawaiian, Kamaka used his wealth of knowledge, Hawaiian Heritage, life stories and love of life to inspire his students.   

According to Mt. SAC's release--"Kamaka lived every day to its fullest and with the help of his wonderful wife Lynda, never let his disability stop him in any way."