Ashley Wenskoski, Senior
For over seven years, the terms “Coach Ronalds” and “Palisades football” have been synonymous. Gaining years of experience as a football coach at Wilkes University, Kutztown University, Yale University, and Allen High School, Coach Ronalds finally found a home in 2011. Head Coach of the Palisades football program for the better part of a decade, Kevin Ronalds can frequently be spotted (when he’s not teaching history classes) prowling up and down the sidelines, managing the weight room in the dead of winter, and entertaining college coaches who are interested in his players. Truly serving as the patriarch of the program, he is much more than merely a coach to many of the players who were fortunate enough to step on his field. A father figure to many of his athletes and involved with many of their families personally, he is always available to talk about sports, family, his experiences, and everything in between.
Deciding this fall to step away with a sparkling record at Palisades of 55-27 in seven seasons, Coach Ronalds has continuously run a tight pirate ship at the Class 3A school. Gaining incredible support and momentum from the community in 2017, Palisades football had a record of 13-1 including an undefeated regular season, a Colonial League title, and District 11 championship. This year, the Pirates finished with an impressive record of 8-3. They were also Eastern Conference District 4A Champions with a postseason victory over Schuylkill Valley on November 2nd at home, allowing Coach Ronalds to experience one last Friday night at the helm of the Pirate ship at Walter T. Rohrer stadium in Kintnersville. “I’m proud of what we did here,” he exclaims on a quiet Tuesday afternoon after all of the attention has died down. “I’m proud of how the players were pushed and held accountable here, and what they were able to accomplish.”
Coach Ronalds’ legacy at Palisades truly culminated the past two years with the postseason success that he found. The class of seniors last year featured many high school football stars that have gone on to continue their careers at notable universities, some competing at the Division I level. Pairing with this year’s seniors, a group that holds multiple records at Palisades, they were able to create an era of Pirate excellence that will not soon be forgotten around the area. “If there was a class to go out with, I’d love to go with them,” Coach Ronalds continues. “They were the most successful class to ever play here in terms of wins, and
I’ve had the pleasure to know them since they were young. I feel like they grew up in front of me,” he says, a hint of nostalgia in his eye. He explains that he is taking a step back at least for next year in order to focus on his health and his family, but is not necessarily finished coaching forever.
The respect that the coach holds for his upperclassmen athletes is reciprocated on the highest level. Those who have played for him know his intense mannerisms on and off the field, but have gotten to know the true man who at heart cares about his athletes deeply. “He always pushed us to be the best possible athlete we could be and cared so much,” senior quarterback and three-time captain Ethan Brader asserts. “I’ll never forget my time playing for him.”
Honoring Coach Ronalds is a common theme at Palisades, a small school that supports those who support them and rallies an entire community around its sports teams. The atmosphere that Coach Ronalds created with Pirates football is one of winning, accountability, and pride, and had immeasurable impact. No longer do the Pirates see themselves as underdogs year in and year out; rather, as the captains of the Colonial League ship.
Coach Rood has been a vital part of Palisades’ sports as the cheerleading coach. The Pirates’ Pearl would like to recognize her for her time and dedication to the cheerleading team. Cheerleaders and gym students alike have all found amazing relationships with Rood. As a mentor and coach, Rood brings a light into students’ lives through her joking nature and positive attitude. She has also been influential in improving and breeding a more competitive cheer team. Thank you, Coach Rood!
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