Following a stellar playing career at Arizona State University that included a national title and College World Series MVP honors, Ron Davini has served as a high school baseball coach in Arizona for over 40 years.
Davini, who was inducted into the Arizona State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017, signed with the Chicago White Sox in 1969, and for the next five years taught high school in California and Arizona and while playing professional baseball.
Davini began his coaching career as an assistant baseball coach for six years at McClintock High School before starting the baseball program at Tempe Corona del Sol High School in 1977 when the school opened. In 28 seasons at Corona del Sol, he guided the Aztecs to over 400 wins and the 5A Arizona High School state championship in 1993. He retired in 2005 with a career coaching record of 444-368-6 (.543) but continues to assist the program as a volunteer coach.
Throughout his career Davini has received several coaching awards and honors, including being named National Coach of the Year by USA Baseball in 1997 and the National High School Baseball Coaches Association (NHSBCA) in 2005. He was also selected to coach the West team in the Aflac All-American High School Baseball Classic.
His induction into the ABCA Hall of Fame marks the 11th Hall of Fame honor Davini has received either as a coach or player.
From 1977-97, Davini served on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Coaches Association, where he assisted in setting up coaching clinics, supervised All-Star selections, and co-directed the Arizona Senior All-Star games. In 1997, he spearheaded the establishment of the Arizona Baseball Coaches Association while also serving as President of the NHSBCA that same year. He was named the NHSBCA’s Executive Director, a position he held for 13 years (2005-17).
Since 1988, Davini has been involved with USA Baseball, working as a Technical Advisor to the Junior Olympic Baseball Tournament in Arizona. He has coached three Junior National teams in World Championship competition, and in 2003, he helped coach the Under-16 Youth National Team to a Gold Medal in the World Championships.
From 1991-93, Davini was involved in the first international youth baseball exchange program with Russia, where he participated in camps and provided instruction. He was also Co-Director of the Telluride Baseball Camp (Colo.) after assisting with its conception for over 20 years.
Davini is a 1965 graduate of Anaheim High School (Calif.) and earned bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University in 1969. He is a Lifetime ABCA member.
