MSU Athletics

Jeff Ray remains has a Midwestern State icon at the helm of the men's and women's golf programs.

Ray has constructed a lasting relationship with his alma mater as he has spent all but four years - two-year stints at Lon Morris College and the University of North Texas - since arriving on the Midwestern campus as a junior transfer from Cooke County Community College in 1982.

During his playing days, he led the Indians to a berth in the 1984 NAIA National Tournament berth after leading the team in assists and free throw percentage. For his effort, Ray was presented the team's Most Inspirational Player award.

Ray moved quickly into the coaching ranks spending two seasons as graduate assistant on the MSU women's basketball coaching staff before moving on to his first full-time gig at Lon Morris.

He returned two years later to serve as the full-time assistant on Dr. Gerald Stockton's staff as the duo constructed a pair of NAIA Final Four squads before Ray moved into a dual role as head women's coach and remained Stockton's top assistant for the 1992-93 and 1993-94 campaigns.

Under Ray's direction, the women enjoyed two of the finest seasons in program history. The Lady Indians rolled to records of 22-8 and 28-6 ending each of the season in the NAIA National Tournament in Jackson, Tenn.

Following the retirement of Stockton in 1994, Ray relinquished the reigns of the women's program to take over the men's team.

Over the course of the next six seasons, his teams posted a record of 118-60 as he led the program into a successful transition from the NAIA into NCAA Division II.

Under Ray, the Indians claimed consecutive Lone Star Conference championships while making their first two appearances in the NCAA Division II playoffs following the 1998-99 and 1999-00 seasons.

Ray then moved on to North Texas to serve as fellow MSU alum Vic Trilli's assistant for two seasons before returning to his alma mater as athletic director in January 2002.

He would make his return to the bench beginning with the 2004-05 season where he would serve the next six seasons while leading his teams to two more LSC titles and trips to the NCAA Division II postseason.

In all, Ray posted 230 wins over 12 seasons at the helm of the MSU men's basketball program serving last two with a duel role of head men's golf coach.

Ray assumed duties as Director of Golf for both men and women in 2009-10 and also serves as MSU's Life Skills Coordinator.