Hall of Fame
After an outstanding athletic career at Jefferson City Public High School, Ray Elliott attended Jefferson City Junior College for two years and played football. He transferred in 1930 to what was then called Kirksville Teacher College. Mr. Elliott competed in football and baseball and was a member of a Bulldog team that won an MIAA football championship. After his graduation he taught and coached in Caledonia and Dexter, Mo. In 1939-40 he attended University of Missouri-Columbia to work toward a master's degree and helped the Missouri coach, Don Faurot, his old Bulldog mentor. Then in 1940 he went to Beaumont High School as assistant football coach, swimming coach and physical education teacher. Four years later he became baseball coach at Beaumont and remained in that capacity for 20 years. His cumulative record was 308-139 and his teams captured nine championships, including state titles in 1956 and 1960. From 1941-50 he coached swimming at Beaumont and directed his teams to seven championships, including two state titles. Fifty of his Beaumont baseball players signed professional contracts and eight of them advanced to the major leagues, including Bobby Hofman, Lloyd Merritt, Earl Weaver (former Baltimore manager), Lee Thomas (currently Philadelphia general manager), Jim Goodwin, Bob Wiesler, Bob Miller and Roy Sievers. In 1966 Mr. Elliott became Beaumont athletic director. He retired from the teaching profession in 1972 and he and his wife moved to Clearwater, Fla. He still plays golf three times a week and rides his bicycle twice a week.
