Roland Landes wore many hats over the course of three decades at EMU, serving as an exemplary employee and coach of five different sports: men’s cross country, baseball, men’s basketball, women’s cross country, and track and field. His longest coaching tenures were as head men’s cross-country coach for nine seasons in two separate stints from 1967-1971 and 1973-1976 and as head men’s baseball coach for five seasons from 1979-1983.
As head men’s cross-country coach, Landes oversaw teams that won four National Christian Colleges Athletic Association (NCCAA) championships and two ODAC championships, including the inaugural ODAC championship in 1976. Another coaching highlight came when Landes stepped in as head men’s basketball coach for the 1972-1973 season: “It was the first year Lou Campanelli was at James Madison. They had scholarship players, and we hadn’t recruited at all. We beat them 72-71.”
Landes finished his 16-year EMU coaching career in 1983 with a 223-141 record. He also served as assistant professor of physical education from 1968-1982 and as supervisor of auxiliary services from 1984 until his retirement in 1998. He has fond memories of his time working with students in the classroom and on the playing fields. “The kids were just a joy to teach and to coach, and they didn’t hold anything back. They always gave 100 percent, and I really appreciated that and EMU’s spiritual emphasis that I thought was important for the whole person.
Give to EMU’s new track & field complex in honor of Landes here: igfn.us/form/lJl3lw
Roland deserves to be on the Hall of Honor not only for his dedication to EMU sports but his outstanding character as a gentleman.
Absolutely, well said and true. Thanks Jim
An amazing person. Well deserved!
Roland was so kind in his teaching. I think he taught bowling to our physed class, but I could not get the hang of it.
Congratulations Roland!
A wonderful tribute to an extraordinary coach and teacher and man.
Coach Landes had a huge influence on my College years – and career.
Roland was my work-study supervisor my freshman year in 1991-92, and I smile (in hindsight) at his humility, never really talking about just how GREAT a coach he was! Very well-deserved honor for Roland! Grateful for his influence in the lives of so many student-athletes over the decades.
He was one of my best mentors and coaches! 😌🙏
I have always been surprised that Roland was not inducted into the Hall of Fame years ago. He treated all persons with dignify, with respect, and put the welfare of others ahead of his own. His love for Christ Jesus and his students and colleagues never ceased. He is a man of highest integrity and compassion, especially for those suffering in difficult situations or issues in life. His wife, Darlene, was like minded and supportive of other people.
Byron Shenk
Colleague 1970 – 1987
Making Blooming Glen proud! Congratulations Roland Landes and family. Well-deserved honor.
Enid (Good) Dunbar