FRED W. RYLAND

Fred W. Ryland of R.D. 1, Daisytown, a meritorious service award honoree, was born in Bentleyville and played center on the Bentleyville High School basketball team. He won gold medals in the high jump and discus in the Washington County track meet.

He later received a degree from what was then California Teachers College, where he continued his athletic career, and started baseball at Bentleyville High and the Little League program in Bentleyville, later becoming active in Bronco League.

He played for several years for Marianna in the Fayette County League with former major league pitcher Harry Gumbert as a teammate.

He entered umpiring school in Florida after service in World War II as a Navy physical fitness instructor, and was offered a Class B minor league contract but declined because of his duties as a teacher at Bentleyville High. He umpired Washington County games for many years.

Ryland coached basketball at Bentleyville for 20 years, winning five section titles and retired after 45 years as a teacher in Washington County, including 40 at Bentleyville. He served at one time as a scout for the San Francisco Giants and was instrumental in building Bentleyville’s Caramel Park, where he has served on the board of directors for 27 years.