A new memorial fund established at the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation will honor the life and legacy of longtime educator and St. Bonaventure University men’s basketball coach Ron DeCarli by supporting student-athletes who demonstrate the same determination, character and passion for life that defined his career.
The Ron DeCarli “You Can’t Measure Heart” Memorial Fund was established following his passing on June 26, 2026. The fund has an eventual goal of establishing a scholarship in his memory.
DeCarli spent his career influencing young people as a teacher, basketball coach, school administrator, motivational speaker and mentor. Born in St. Marys, Pa., he earned bachelor’s degrees in education and biology from Clarion University before earning a master’s degree in educational administration from St. Bonaventure University.
His career in education began as a science teacher and basketball coach at St. Marys. He later taught and coached at Chatham High School in New Jersey before returning to Western New York, where he served as an assistant basketball coach at St. Bonaventure University before becoming the university’s head coach from 1986 to 1989.
After his college coaching career, DeCarli continued to work with young athletes through a highly successful local basketball camp that impacted thousands of youth over more than a decade. He later transitioned into school administration, serving as a principal at Oswayo Valley and Salamanca and as superintendent of the Hinsdale, Akron and Frontier school districts.
DeCarli was widely known for his motivational speaking and his ability to encourage others to approach life with enthusiasm, perseverance and purpose. His personal philosophy was captured in a phrase he often shared: “sing your song, dream your dream, and walk your walk.”
The memorial fund is intended to carry those lessons forward.
Once the fund reaches its designated amount, it will become an endowed scholarship of the same name. The scholarship will be available to graduating student-athletes from Oswayo Valley, Hinsdale, Salamanca, Akron, Portville, Olean, Allegany or Wellsville high schools.
Applicants will be expected to have participated in varsity sports throughout their high school careers. The scholarship will seek students who demonstrate maximum effort both on their athletic teams and in the classroom, as well as a positive attitude, strong sportsmanship, a commitment to being a good teammate, perseverance and a passion for life.
“These are the qualities Ron spent his life encouraging in young people,” said CRCF Executive Director Kirk Windus. “He believed in giving your best, refusing to give up and making the most of every opportunity. This fund will help ensure that those lessons continue to have an impact on future generations.”
The scholarship may also include a supplemental essay asking applicants to reflect on the qualities that defined DeCarli’s approach to athletics, education and life.
Donations can be made to the Ron DeCarli “You Can’t Measure Heart” Memorial Fund at CRCF, 301 North Union St., Suite 203, or online at cattfoundation.org.
The Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation is the area’s supportive, responsive and trusted community foundation. Established in 1994, CRCF is growing good by connecting donors to the causes they care about most in the region. Grants from the foundation support many areas, including education, scholarships, health care, the arts, community development, human service, and youth development. To learn more, call (716) 301-CRCF (2723), email [email protected], or visit online at www.cattfoundation.org. CRCF is also on Facebook (facebook.com/cattfoundation) and Twitter (@CattFoundation).
