Meet Our Founder

Ralph A. Sirmons Sr. is a dynamic nonprofit leader, lifelong mentor, and former collegiate basketball official with a passion for transforming the lives of young men. With over 38 years of experience officiating women’s college basketball, Ralph has used the court not just for calls, but as a platform for character-building, accountability, and personal growth.

As the founder of Strong Minds Strong Kings, Ralph leads with a clear mission: to empower young men across Wisconsin by building strong minds, cultivating leadership, and creating opportunities for education and personal development. His work is rooted in the belief that every young man has the potential to rise—but often needs guidance, belief, and real access to resources to do so. Through mentorship, trade school and college preparation, and deep community engagement, Ralph is building a movement of confident, purpose-driven young kings prepared to lead and succeed.

His extensive leadership background includes founding The Right Call Officials Camps, where he trained over 5,000 referees nationwide, and making history as the first and only African American Commissioner of the Big 8 Conference—overseeing a Division I conference of 11 schools. He brings that same clarity, discipline, and vision to his nonprofit work.

A proud 33rd-degree Mason and active member of Madison Pentecostal Assembly, Ralph grounds his leadership in faith, integrity, and service. He is devoted to building strong minds, strong futures, and strong kings—one young man at a time.