Hall of Fame
Ray holds several professional and athletic awards, including a Professionals Community Honors awards and recognition in Alcorn State’s Hall of Fame. Ray graduated from Alcorn State in 1970 and was part of the championship team winning the SWAC title and Black National Championship (1969). He earned First Team All-SWAC at punter, along with being named a All-NAIA punter with the best punting average of 43.6 yards per punt.
Ray returned to Birmingham after college and served as the head coach for the boys and girls track and field coach (1971-1972) and held an assistant principal position before retiring at Ensley High School (1990-2006).
During Ray’s coaching career, he earned an Oscar Martin Memorial Trophy Award (1970-71), Alabama State Champion Track and Field Junior High Boys title (1972), Alabama State Junior High Boys Championship (1978), and Birmingham’s City Schools Boys and Girls Track and Field Coach of the Year (1989).