Huntsville Sports Commission’s Ralph Stone takes well-deserved retirement

41 years.

That’s how long Ralph Stone has committed himself to Huntsville between his roles with the City and as Executive Director of the Huntsville Sports Commission.

Every morning before work, Ralph starts his day with a three-mile run. He has always had a passion for sports and fitness. Growing up in Huntsville, he played baseball and swam. After graduating from Huntsville High in 1975, Ralph attended Jacksonville State University, where he met his wife, Cindi, and earned a Recreation Administration degree.

He started his first job as the Assistant Physical Director at the YMCA in Huntsville. Shortly after, he transferred to the City of Huntsville as a Recreational Center Supervisor. Following that role, Ralph became the Superintendent of Athletics and later Superintendent of Events before serving as Director of Recreation & Landscape Management from 1997 to 2007.

Ralph played an instrumental role in the forming of the Huntsville Sports Commission (HSC) in 1999. After retiring from the City in 2007, he was named the HSC Executive Director – a position he has proudly served in the past 14 years.

He is known as a man who leads from beside, working just as hard, if not harder, than everyone else. His love for sports and the Rocket City has always been his driving force, leading to hundreds of sporting events coming to Huntsville and millions generated in economic impact.

Ralph is looking forward to spending retirement with his wife, Cindi, two sons, Conrad and Garrett, and two granddaughters, Sophie and Molly Grace. Ralph is also an avid duck hunter and will spend time during retirement enjoying the sport. He will continue to donate his time to the Huntsville Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation and Huntsville Sports Commission.

Ralph Stone is known by many and a friend to all. While his shoes will be hard to fill, his retirement is well deserved and long overdue. So after December 2 – his official retirement day – Ralph will wake up and take his morning run with no others obligations but his own. We wish him the best.

Congratulations, Ralph!