Ron Armstrong - Athlete (Swimming) - Class of 2025

Growing up Ron excelled in baseball, hockey, football and swimming. He earned himself a swimming scholarship to Kalamazoo Valley Community College, where he became a five-time All-American and received the President’s Award as Athlete of the Year in 1972-73.

Ron attended the University of Hawaii, swimming competitively and playing football as a punter and placekicker.

After relocating to Toronto in 1976, Ron swam with the Etobicoke Masters Swimming Team. In 1979, he and his wife settled in Milton, and both joined the newly founded Milton Masters Swim Club in the mid-1980s. Ron went on to coach competitive swimmers while competing himself, setting Canadian records at the 1987 Nationals.

Ron also returned to his life-long love of hockey, playing for the Milton Centennials and the Milton Oldstars, where he was also chair of the Oldstars charity golf tournament. Through these efforts, he proudly supported local hospital fundraising and high school scholarships. Shoulder injuries led to his playing retirement in 2000, and a return to competitive swimming.

Over the next two-plus decades, Ron established himself as one of Canada’s top Masters swimmers, earning numerous Canadian records and medals at international competitions. His greatest achievements include gold in the 400m Individual Medley at the 2006 World Championships, three bronze medals at the 2012 Worlds in Italy, and five medals, including two gold, at the 2023 Worlds in Japan. In 2025, he set a world record in the 400m IM at the Provincials in Markham.

Ron’s lifelong contributions to sport, and community, make him a true champion.