A graduate of Cathedral Prep in 1965, Ron participated in two seasons each of basketball and baseball. Following his career at Behrend, Ron played two additional seasons of basketball at Penn State, graduating in 1969.
Hornyak, the former Male Athlete of the Year in 1967, was a two-time All-State junior college selection in baseball. Ron captained the team for one season.
A member of Who's Who Among American Junior Colleges, Hornyak also earned All-State basketball honors, again while serving as team captain for one year.