Truman State University Athletics

"Dickie" Ray was an All-State quarterback at Beaumont High School in St. Louis. He enrolled at the university and played football between 1962-65. He was an outstanding and versatile defensive cornerback, offensive wingback and weakside end. Mr. Ray lettered all four years and performed in every varsity game, leading the Bulldog defense in pass interceptions for three years. As a freshman, he averaged 4.7-yards per carry and caught two passes for 66 yards. Mr. Ray also averaged 19.9 yards per punt return. As a sophomore, he averaged 6.3 yards per carry, caught two passes for 99 yards and averaged 6.0 yards on punt returns and 24.0 yards on kickoff returns. In his junior year, he averaged 10.5 yards on punt returns, averaged 14.3 yards a carry in brief appearances as a running back and caught two passes for 140 yards. As a defensive back, he intercepted three passes. The MIAA named an All-Conference defensive team for the first time in 1965, and he was a unanimous first-team selection as a senior. He led the conference in punt returns in his final season with a 19.2-yard average. He returned four kickoffs for a 21.0-yard average, intercepted two passes, caught seven passes for 170 yards and three touchdowns and carried the ball four times for 13 yards. During his career, the Bulldogs posted an overall record of 32-8, an MIAA mark of 18-2 and won two MIAA championships. Mr. Ray graduated from the university in 1969 with a B.S.E. degree and in 1976 with an M.A. degree. For the next 24 years he has worked in the St. Louis Public School System as a physical education teacher and as a coach for both football and basketball. In 1994, he moved into administration at Vashon High School while still coaching basketball at Metro, a magnet school.