Ronnie is an active and well-known member of the greater Harrisonburg Community. To most people, Ronnie is known simply as "Coach Madden". Having coached Pee Wee football, Youth Recreation League Baseball for more than 45 years with the Harrisonburg Parks and Recreation Department, he lost count of the number of players he mentored. Many of his former players have gone on to play football at the high school, college, and even professional level including Josh Knight, Jordan Fischer and Akeem Jordan. His children William, Terry, Michael, Shawnee and brother Larry were all athletic contributors in Harrisonburg programs.

Coach Madden, a graduate of the Lucy F. Simms School, first started playing football in 1957. He went on to serve in the U.S. Air Force from 1961 to 1965, in the U.S. and abroad.

Returning home to the Valley, he began youth coaching. He says his love for kids and wanting to see them off the streets were big motivators in his life. He received the Children's Youth Award given by the American Legion (where he served for 48 years), the Lucy Simms Sports Involvement Award, and the Mary A. Fairfax Community Service Award. October 29, 2014 was declared by the City of Harrisonburg as "Coach Ronald L.

Madden Day" and he is considered by all he coached to be a true and living legend.