William Jewell College Athletics

Ron Haggard was a graduate of Northeast High School in Kansas City, MO. He attended Jewell for one semester in the fall of 1956 before serving in the Marine Corps from 1956-1960.

Haggard lettered in both track and football for four years. Three of the football teams Haggard played with won MCAU (Missouri College Athletic Union) Titles. During those four years the Cardinals accrued a record of 29-8-1 (6-3, 7-1, 7-3, 9-1). Haggard was also a three time 1st Team All-Conference Selection. He was the Cards Co-Captain as a senior and named an NAIA 1st Team All-American in 1962 as a linebacker. He was Jewell’s first ever NAIA 1st Team All-American. Additionally, Haggard competed in the shot put in track. He was named the winner of the Cecil R. Martin Award in 1963 (WJC’s Athlete of the Year). At the end of his senior season he was selected for and played in the All-American All-Star Bowl Game in Tucson, AZ. Haggard also majored in physical education and foreign language.

After graduating from Jewell, Ron Haggard was signed as a free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1963. It was the first year the Chiefs were located in Kansas City and Jewell was the team’s summer home. Haggard played in one pre-season game in San Diego against the Chargers.

Aside from athletics, Haggard taught and coached at Odessa, Missouri High School (1963-1966 and 1968-69). He served as the Graduate Assistant at Central Missouri State University from 1966-67; taught and coached at Leavenworth, KS High School from 1967-68; Moberly, MO High School from 1968-72; Center High School in Kansas City, Missouri from 1972-74. Haggard also taught and coached at: Hocker Grove Junior High School in Shawnee Mission, Kansas from 1974-76, St. Charles, IL High School from 1976-79, and El Dorado Springs, Missouri High School from 1979-87. Ron Haggard also was a school administrator in the Cape Girardeau, Missouri school district from 1987-92. He also worked as a self-employed trucker from 1992-94; and he was the Principal at Seymour Elementary School in Missouri. Haggard was also a school administrator for the Lutie, Missouri school district from 1995-98. He worked as the Assistant Superintendent of school in the Cuba, Missouri school district from 1998-01. He is now a self employed truck driver.

Haggard now resides in Cuba, Missouri with his wife Diane. The couple has five children: John, Kelly (Rinker), Stacey (Harper), Candi (Foeltz) and Sandy (Rush). They also have eight grandchildren.