Ray Green

• Post by: mcalibrary
• December 18, 2023
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INDUCTEE

Ray Green was an unusual high school athlete. Even though he was short and strong, which made him a natural lineman, he was versatile enough to run the mile on some very good track teams.

He was an outstanding high school athlete, who received a football scholarship to attend Bucknell University. He was a starting guard as a sophomore. Against St. Thomas University, he blocked a punt, picked it up and ran it in for a touchdown, which gave Bucknell a 12-6 victory. As a result of that victory, Bucknell was chosen to play in the first Orange Bowl game in 1935. AS a college senior, he was selected to play in the college all-star game against the Philadelphia Eagles. One of his teammates was Vince Lombardi.

Ray returned to Mount Carmel to work and began his coaching career at Mount Carmel Catholic. His Mount Carmel Catholic teams were known for their hard hitting tough brand of football. He later moved to Mount Union coached there for a short period, then returned to Minersville where his teams were perennial conference contenders.

He was one of 13 children of hard working parents. Like so many others, his only opportunity to get out of the coal region was to capitalize on his athletic ability. So when the opportunity to play under Coach Carl Snavely at Bucknell presented itself, he was willing to do whatever it took. He paid for his meals by digging coal on weekends, and then bartering the coal for food at the College Inn in Lewisburg. Ray Green is presently enjoying retirement at his home in Hegins, Pa.