Rend Lake College Honors Smith, Box — Coaching Excellence on display at 2026 Hall of Fame Induction
INA, Ill. (April 25, 2026) — Family, friends, former players, and colleagues gathered at the Rend Lake College Event Center in Ina to celebrate two remarkable coaching careers during the college’s 25th Annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
The evening recognized the lasting impact of Glenn Box and Ron Smith — two leaders whose influence extends far beyond wins and losses.
Ron Smith and Glenn Box pose for a photo with their Hall of Fame plaques
Emcee Bob Kelley (retired Marketing Director and SID, Hall of Fame Class of 2012) opened the evening by welcoming attendees and setting the tone for a celebration centered on people, relationships, and impact.
“Tonight is about two gentlemen who are being inducted into our Hall of Fame — very well deserved,” Kelley said. “We appreciate you being here tonight … they are most deserving.”
Kelley’s remarks highlighted the significance of the moment — not just as an award ceremony, but as a gathering of a community these two men have helped to shape.
Tim Wills presents Glenn Box his Hall of Fame plaque
Longtime coach and colleague Tim Wills (RLC Athletic Director, Men's Basketball Head Coach, Professor) introduced Box, sharing stories that reflected both his competitive fire and his character. Wills traced Box’s journey from a determined walk-on who showed up uninvited to a cornerstone player and eventually a successful coach — proof of Box's grit and belief.
“These two guys [Box and Smith] are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet — and also some of the most competitive people you’ll ever meet,” Wills said. "[Box] started at point guard on probably the best team I ever coached here until this year, and those teams are pretty close. We were ranked as high as fifth in the country that year. Without him, that team would not have done what it did.”
Glenn Box: Purpose, People, and Perspective
Hall of Fame inductee Box delivered a heartfelt and reflective acceptance speech, focusing on purpose and the people who shaped his journey.
Box played at Cairo High School for Hall of Fame Coach Bill Chumbler before coming to The Lake and playing for Wills. Box’s coaching career has spanned multiple levels of women's college basketball, including head coach at RLC and assistant roles at programs like Indiana and Saint Louis, before becoming head coach at Miami (Ohio). There, he transformed a struggling program into a conference champion and NCAA Tournament participant — culminating in a school-record 28-win season in 2025-26 in which he was named MAC Coach of the Year. He signed a contract extension through the 2031–2032 season on March 19, 2026.
Glenn Box poses for a photo next to his Hall of Fame plaque at the Banterra Sports Complex at Rend Lake College.
“I never look at it like it’s me … honestly, I look at it like it’s us,” Box said. "I get to do this for my people. ... my family, the people in Cairo, the people at Rend Lake. I represent you. That’s how I see it. I get to be that person. Of all the awards I’ve ever had, this is by far the best.”
Box emphasized that his success was built on the support of family, mentors, and community — what he called the “angels” in his life. His message resonated as one of humility, gratitude, and shared accomplishment.
Glenn Box with his family
Brad Weathers speaks to the Hall of Fame audience
Former coach and RLC Hall of Famer Brad Weathers introduced Smith, reflecting on decades of friendship and professional admiration. The two share a lifelong connection that began as teammates at Benton High School playing for Rich Herrin and then at Rend Lake College playing for Jim Waugh, and continued as young coaches starting their careers together. Weathers talked about their common foundation of learning under the same mentors.
“Every time a head coach got a chance to move up … Ron was sought after,” Weathers said. “He’s always done it with class and dignity.”
Ron Smith: A Career Built on People and Opportunity
Smith’s career spans high school and Division I basketball, including key roles at Benton High School, Southern Illinois University, the University of Northern Iowa, and Iowa State University. Along the way, he helped lead teams to conference championships, NCAA Tournament appearances, and sustained program success. In retirement, Smith has continued impacting the game through international travel programs, connecting student-athletes worldwide.
Ron Smith speaks to the Hall of Fame audience
Smith’s speech underscored a career philosophy rooted in relationships, preparation, and selflessness — principles that shaped not only his teams, but generations of players and coaches.
“The relationships … are really what make people successful,” Smith said. "I always say I’m an old guy and I’ve met a lot of people in my life. I did a little inventory. I figured out I have coached players — about 50 of them have gone into coaching.
"One of the things I tell my grandkids, I told my kids, and I definitely tell all the players and coaches who come in contact with me ... this is my favorite thought ... don’t aspire to be the best player on the team. Aspire to be the best player for the team. That’s kind of the way I lived my coaching career. I was never the best player on my team, and I was never the best coach. There are a lot of great ones out there. I didn’t aspire to be Rich Herrin, and I didn’t aspire to be Jim Waugh. Both of them were great coaches and great mentors to me, but you’ve got to find what your niche is and how you can help. That’s one of the things that has led me every day: aspire to be the best player for your team in whatever you do, whatever your team may be."
