Joined OCC: December 3, 1945
Elected to Winged “O”: January 15, 1968
One of the first members to be awarded the coveted Winged “O” honor was Ronald Glen Sorrell. Born on May 10, 1932 and raised in Honolulu, Ron joined the Outrigger Canoe Club on December 3, 1945.
Ron practically grew up at the old Club. His participation in volleyball, surfing and canoeing activities from the time he was a Junior member marked him as a man who exemplified the spirit of our athletic Club in all his endeavors.
Ron was a record holder in the Diamond Head Surfboard Race; started paddling for the Club when he was 14 years old; has been the Hawaiian commissioner for the United States Volleyball Association, a commissioner for professional surfing, volleyball coach for several Hawaiian teams and past chairman of our Club Athletic Committee. He was Club Captain from 1957-1960.
He chaired the Volleyball Committee in 1967 and 1972, coached many OCC volleyball teams, and was chair of the Athletic Committee in 1969. He was served on the Fitness Center Committee from 2004-2008.
He has played on many Club volleyball teams, in both the open and masters divisions. In 1960 he was a member of OCC’s first team to compete in national volleyball competition. In 1967 his team returned to the mainland and won OCC’s first National Championship AAU volleyball title. in 1980 Ron coached OCC’s National AAU Champion Volleyball Team and was on the 1982 team that won the Golden Masters 45 National Volleyball Association National Championship. He was selected to the All-America team three times.
He is a graduate of Punahou School, Purdue University and New York Institute of Finance.
Ron served on the Board of Directors and was President of the Outrigger Canoe Club in 1979-1980. He served as Coordinating Director of the Historical, Public Relations and House Committees, before advancing to Assistant Secretary, Treasurer and then President in 1979. Following his year as president, he served as Coordinating Director of the Long Range Planning Committee.
After his election to Winged “O” in 1968, he served on the Winged “O” Committee from 1976-1980, 1984 and 1990, and was its chair in 1972. As one of the strongest supporters of Winged “O” he has chaired the nomination process for new Winged “O”s for many years.
Ron started the Outrigger Foundation to raise money for Club athletic teams through tax deductible contributions. The Foundation was the predecessor of the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation. After the Outrigger Foundation merged with the Duke Kahanamoku Foundation, Ron served as chair of the Athletic Grants Committee of the new Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation.
Ron was also member of Hawaii’s 1956 Olympic Life Saving Team.
Ron is a gentleman, sportsman and dedicated member of the Outrigger Canoe Club. He volunteered many hours to Club athletic programs as an athlete and coach and all-around supporter.