LaRuffa Among Coaches Added to Hall of Fame

Ron LaRuffa, who coached Fountain Valley High’s baseball program three times for a total of 18 years, will be inducted in the CIF-Southern Section Hall of Fame on Wednesday.

LaRuffa coached the Barons to section titles twice, as well as two runner-up finishes, and seven Sunset League titles. He also coached 12 years at Edison High and totaled 586 career wins.

LaRuffa is one of 32 people selected to the 32nd Hall of Fame Class by the organization that oversees high school sports in much of Southern California.

Another local coach, Larry James, will also be inducted. He began the boys’ volleyball program at La Quinta and coached boys for 37 years and girls’ volleyball for 22. He was instrumental in helping boys’ volleyball become an approved sport in the Garden Grove League.

A couple of other notable coaches among the group of 15 inductees are Steve Grady, who coached football at Los Angeles Loyola for 29 years; and Marijon Ancich, whose 360 wins at Santa Fe Springs St. Paul and Tustin make him the winningest football coach in section history. 

The ceremony takes place at The Grand, 11:30 a.m., in Long Beach.

-Martin Henderson; Ron La Ruffa via Fountain Valley Baseball