Raymond Hoag provided a memorable moment in Albion footballhistory in the last game of the 1961 season. With a perfect 8-0season hanging in the balance and the Britons trailing Adrian bytwo touchdowns, Ray, a co-captain, rushed for a 72-yard touchdownand Albion went on to post a 35-17 victory.
"Hoag was not only the Britons’ leading scorer with 48points and the second best single season rusher in Albion Collegehistory with 724 yards, but, more important, he was a hard-nosedblocker and a real inspiration to his teammates both on and off thefield," head coach Morley Fraser wrote in the program for the teambanquet.
Ray earned seven varsity letters at Albion, four in football andthree in baseball. He started on offense and defense in football,achieving all-league status in 1960 and 1961. Ray also was thestarting centerfielder for Fraser’s baseball squad.
After graduation, Ray went on to earn master’s degrees inmathematics and educational leadership and a doctorate ineducation. He began his professional career as an instructor andassociate director of the computer center for the Grand RapidsPublic Schools. The chairperson for computer applications at GrandRapids Community College from 1977 to 1993, Ray currently serves asthe project facilitator for Barry-Ionia-Kent Link Michigan.
Ray and his wife, Marjorie Shaffer Hoag, ’62, are theparents of a daughter, Julie, and a son, Scott.
