This is the first in a series of articles profiling 2024 Freeport Area inductees into the Armstrong County Sports Hall of Fame

FREEPORT — Having played quarterback, linebacker and offensive line during his youth football years, Ron DeJidas doesn’t remember how he wound up at running back.

Ron DeJidas for sports 2024

But his coaches knew what they were doing.

DeJidas, a 1993 Freeport graduate, wound up rushing for more than 2,750 total yards in his junior and senior seasons with the Yellowjackets, then rushed for 2,286 yards during his tenure at Clarion University.

That production is landing him induction into the Armstrong County Sports Hall of Fame. DeJidas will be one of 12 inductees to be honored at 4 p.m. April 28 during the organization’s annual banquet at Laube Hall in Freeport.

“This is my first Hall of Fame and my family and I are pretty excited about it,” DeJidas said. “This means a lot to me. It’s a true honor.”

DeJidas was the first running back to win the Butler Eagle Scoring Trophy in consecutive years, scoring 114 points in 1991 and 158 in 1992. Former Freeport teammate Brian Kurn won the Eagle’s first Scoring Trophy in 1990.

“I didn’t settle into the running back position until middle school,” DeJidas said. “I felt comfortable playing that position. I enjoyed it. But I don’t know why I was moved there in the first place.

“We had some good upperclassmen playing in front of me when I went to high school. I had to wait my turn.”

And he made the most of it.

“Honors and accolades are always nice, but only one name goes on those things and it takes a bunch of people to make it happen,” DeJidas said. “I had a lot of support and played on some good teams.”

The Yellowjackets made the WPIAL playoffs during his sophomore through senior seasons. Freeport reached the WPIAL semifinals his sophomore year.

DeJidas was a two-time first-team conference defensive back at Freeport. He was first team all-conference as a running back his senior year.

While at Clarion, DeJidas was a starting running back on the 1996 Golden Eagles team that reached the NCAA Division II semifinals. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards in Clarion’s Wing-T offense. He was a four-year letter winner and a team captain in college.“

“Steve Witte started in the backfield with me (at Clarion) and we both had 1,000-yard seasons,” DeJidas said. “We had a productive offense, for sure.”

DeJidas’ 2,286 career rushing yards are seventh on Clarion’s all-time list. Witte rushed for 2,850 yards and ranks second. DeJidas had a 231-yard rushing game for the Golden Eagles in 1996 that still ranks fifth all-time at Clarion. His 19 career touchdowns rank fifth as well.

“Like I said, I was fortunate enough to play on some great teams with great players throughout my football years,” DeJidas said. “The coaches back then laid the groundwork for success in high school and college.”

DeJidas is now the head girls softball coach at Freeport. His youngest daughter, Abby, plays on his team. His eldest daughter, Aly, played volleyball and softball in high school and went on to a collegiate career at Mercyhurst.

“Coaching is definitely different ... You feel you don’t have as much control over things,” DeJidas said. “But I’m coaching an outstanding group of young ladies at Freeport and I’m loving every minute of it.

“When I played, my parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts came to all of my games. I really appreciate that support now. Being a coach, I can appreciate how special that was.”

Tickets for the Armstrong County Sports Hall of Fame fete are $30 and can be purchased from board secretary Dennis Wolfe at 724-882-3557.