Originally published June 7, 2011 at 5:38 PM | Page modified June 10, 2011 at 5:39 PM

Rewind | Live chat with Emerald Downs president & UW booster Ron Crockett

GREG GILBERT / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Ron Crockett calls winning the Mile a bigger thrill than Pasadena.

Renton native Ron Crockett has been a key figure in the Puget Sound sports scene for several years.

He helped bring horse racing back to western Washington in 1996 with the opening of Emerald Downs after Longacres racetrack closed in 1992. He currently serves as the president of Emerald Downs which is now in its 16th season.

Crockett has also been one of the University of Washington's most influential boosters, most notably in the business and engineering schools as well as the athletic department. He is on the Husky Stadium Advisory Committee that is heavily involved with the renovation project on the 90-year-old stadium.

Crockett talked about horse racing, his track and his involvement with UW in a live chat on June 8.