Ron Cardo, a football letterwinner for UW-Oshkosh in 1965 and 1967-70, returned to the sideline at Titan Stadium in 1984 and served as head coach of the Titans for the next 16 seasons.
During Cardo's tenure at UW-Oshkosh, the Titans posted a 58-96-4 record and had 29 athletes receive All-WSUC First Team mention. In addition, three athletes received College Sports Communicators Academic All-America honors. Linebacker Craig Pierstorff and split ends Ryan Hinske and
Rob Stoltz were also selected Burger King Scholar-Athletes, honors that benefited UW-Oshkosh's general scholarship fund $55,000.
Highlights during Cardo's reign at UW-Oshkosh included 1987 victories over nationally-ranked UW-Eau Claire (23-13) and UW-Whitewater (21-3) and a 1985 tie with eventual NAIA Division II national champion UW-La Crosse (14-14). In 1988, UW-Oshkosh won three consecutive conference games for the first time since winning the league championship in 1976. In addition, the Titans never lost a season opener under Cardo and were 12-3-1 in their second game of the year.
Statistically speaking, UW-Oshkosh gained mention among the NCAA Division III leaders four times under Cardo. The Titans ranked second in passing offense in 1989, eighth in 1988, 12th in 1997 and 13th in 1996. In addition, UW-Oshkosh teams led the WIAC in passing offense in 1996 and passing defense in 1994.
Prior to being named UW-Oshkosh's 20th head football coach in 1984, Cardo served as as assistant coach at UW-River Falls from 1976-83. During his association with the Falcons, UW-River Falls won three conference titles and participated in the 1979 NAIA Division I playoffs. Before landing his position at UW-River Falls, Cardo was the head football coach at Crivitz High School from 1972-75.
Following graduation from St. John's Cathederal High School in Milwaukee, Cardo attended UW-Oshkosh and went on to an outstanding career for the Titans in 1965 and from 1968-70. The three-time All-WSUC selection (1968-70) ranked as UW-Oshkosh career leaders in rushing (2,706) and scoring (218) upon graduation. He also held the school's single-game rushing record, a 234-yard performance against St. Norbert College in 1968. He led the Titans to the 1968 WSUC Championship in his first season as an honorable mention All-American (1968, 1970). He captained the 1970 football team and earned All-WSUC honors on as a member of the 1969 conference winning baseball team.
In 1971, the San Francisco 49ers selected Cardo in the 10th round of the NFL College Draft.
Cardo, who received a bachelor's degree from UW-Oshkosh in 1971 and a master's degree from UW-River Falls in 1977 has a son, Brian, and a daughter, Laura, with his wife Ann.
