Press contact: Kyla.Kruse@llcc.edu

SPRINGFIELD — Coach Ron Riggle, Lincoln Land Community College’s athletics director and head baseball coach, received the 2024 Loyalty Award on April 17 at the NJCAA Convention in Charlotte, N.C.

Coach Riggle has served as the athletics director at LLCC since 1997 and is in his 34th season coaching Loggers baseball and his 22nd year as head coach. 

“Throughout his impressive career as athletics director, Ron has adhered to the principle that our student athletes are first students and then athletes. He fosters an environment in the athletic department that supports students academically and athletically,” said Shanda Byer, vice president of student services at LLCC. “His leadership, along with his compassion and support of students and coaches, is certainly deserving of the NJCAA Loyalty Award.”

Under Riggle’s leadership, LLCC’s student athletes maintained an average GPA of 3.14 in 2023. As a coach, Riggle led the Loggers to two NJCAA Division II national championship titles in 1994 and 2000. He also led the baseball team to the NJCAA Division II World Series in 1993, 1995, 2014, 2015, 2019 and 2021.

Riggle played at LLCC during the 1987 and 1988 seasons. He then continued his collegiate career at Coastal Carolina University where he was a member of the back-to-back Big South Conference Championship teams.

The Loyalty Award is given to an active athletic director in the NJCAA membership that has worked to uphold the ideals of the organization. It recognizes leadership in an athletic program exemplifying excellence both on the field and in the classroom.