A packed Jake Poppenga Gymnasium rose to its feet Friday night as Delavan Schools honored one of the most accomplished and influential figures in Panther basketball history. Former boys’ basketball coach Ryon Kramer—already a 2025 inductee into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame—was formally added to the Delavan Wall of Fame during halftime of the varsity game against Illini Bluffs.

The recognition marked another milestone in a coaching career that shaped generations of Delavan athletes and produced some of the most successful seasons the program has ever seen.

Kramer spent 24 years on the sidelines for Delavan Schools, including three seasons at the junior high level and 21 seasons as the high school varsity head coach. His early years set the tone for what would become a remarkable run. At the junior high level, Kramer amassed 100 wins and led Delavan to the IESA state tournament four times, highlighted by a state runner up finish in the 1999–2000 season.

In 2001, Kramer took the helm of the high school varsity program—and wasted no time making history. In his very first season, he guided the Panthers to an IHSA Regional Championship, the first of many program defining achievements. Over the next two decades, Kramer compiled 382 varsity wins, the most by any coach in Delavan history.

His 2007–08 squad remains the gold standard, finishing 28–4, the best single season record the Panthers have ever posted. Under his leadership, Delavan recorded winning seasons in 18 of his 21 years, including 11 seasons with 20 or more victories.

Kramer’s teams collected an impressive list of championships along the way:

4 IHSA Regional Championships

9 ICAC Conference Championships

7 Tomahawk Conference Championships

Beyond the wins and titles, Kramer also helped develop standout individual talent. Nine of his players earned All State honors during their careers, a testament to both the skill within the program and the steady guidance of their coach.

Friday’s ceremony added a personal touch to the celebration, as two of Kramer’s former players returned to present the honor. Jason Fisher, now Delavan’s junior high basketball coach and a member of Kramer’s first regional championship team, helped lead the presentation. Joining him was Brady Wildenradt, a Delavan School Board member who played seven consecutive years for Kramer—from sixth grade through his senior season—and later served alongside him as an assistant coach for 12 years.

Their presence underscored the lasting relationships and deep community ties forged during Kramer’s tenure.

As the crowd applauded, Kramer’s name and legacy were officially added to the Delavan Wall of Fame, joining the ranks of individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the school and its athletic tradition.

For the players on the court, the students in the stands, and the many alumni who returned for the moment, the ceremony served as both a celebration and a reminder: the impact of a great coach extends far beyond the scoreboard.