University of Minnesota Athletics
Ron Backes - M Club Hall of Fame
Ron Backes
Men’s Track & Field, 1984-86
HOF Class of 1999
Ron Backes dominated shot put and discus events in the mid-1980s, a three-time All-American in outdoor track and field, and a two-time All-American indoors.
In 1984 he was the Big Ten outdoor champion in shot put, All-Big Ten as well as All-American. In 1985 he was both indoor and outdoor Big Ten shot put champion and All-American again. And in 1986, he repeated as Big Ten indoor champ and Big Ten outdoor champion in shot put and discus, and was named “Athlete of the Championships.” Backes also won the 1986 NCAA Indoor Championships in discus.
He was a shot put competitor in the 1992 Olympic Games, and U.S. Indoor Track and Field shot put champion in 1987, 1988, 1991 and 1992.
Backes was an inaugural member of the Minnesota Track & Field Hall of Fame, and became an assistant track coach in throwing events at The Ohio State University.