Bio

Ray Nelson was a natural athlete who excelled in basketball, baseball and football.

As a shortstop and second baseman on the baseball team, he covered his infield position with the swiftness and agility which became his trademark. He set an assist record his senior year.

Football was another opportunity for Ray to show his skills; as a flanker on offense, he had sure hands and he knew what to do with the ball after he caught it. His reputation however, was built upon his play at defensive safety. A sure tackler with great anticipation and outstanding speed, his skill at that position garnered him all-conference first team honors his junior and senior seasons.

It was inevitable that basketball was the sport in which Ray would bring Middie fans their greatest thrills. A three year starter, the 6’ 1” jumping jack could rebound with players four to five inches taller. His rebounding and scoring ability were at their best in an important conference game against North Ridgeville his senior year. He pulled down 24 rebounds and scored 41 points to set new Midview records. Ray was a fine defensive player. He was able to take the ball away from his opponent’s dribble or pass, and quickly head toward the other end. Ray averaged 23.5 points per game and was the area scoring champion his senior year. He was voted to the all-conference first team his junior and senior years and was all county first team as a senior. He was also named to the all sectional first team.

Ray received a basketball scholarship to Marietta College where he was a starter for three years.

Ray is an account manager for “Personal Growth Technologies”. He lives in Southfield, Michigan with his wife, Myrtle and their sons; Marcus, a high school senior and JaMel a senior at Columbia University.