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Coach Bray Remembered Eric Shieh, editor-in-chief Memories of Coach Bray Photographs
Ray Bray, 65, passed away on Thursday, June 15, 2006, from multiple systems disorder. An inspiration and mentor to many, Bray coached water polo and taught Physical Education and Life Science. He retired three years ago. Before coming to FVHS, Bray began coaching at Rancho Alamitos High School in 1968, coaching Olympians Shirley and Jack Babashoff and Gary Hall Sr. His other achievements include founding the Huntington Beach Junior Guards program and saving hundreds of people as a lifeguard. Many people consider Bray a legend. Though quiet and humble, he was an intense man characterized by his spirit and love for exploration and life. Ray Bray was a founding instructor of the HB Junior Guards and often competed in the annual Pier Swim. His water polo players and colleagues came to know him as “a God among men, a man made of steel” for his iron tenacity and strong willpower, says water polo player Brandon Dotts ‘01. Mike Eich recalls his first encounter with Bray on the FVHS pool deck in the summer, when Bray first joined FVHS. “He was extremely intense, motivating, and he loved to have fun,” he says. “Bray had that drive.” Bray was a motivational force at the pool, a dedicated coach who went out of his way for his players. “I think most of his swimmers never knew how much time he spent doing things for them,” says Eich. Even on Saturdays, Bray would stay at school from 5 in the morning until 7 at night, planning strategies for his players. While Bray's tactics and workouts translated into success during matches, he also helped his students achieve in the long run. “Working hard without giving up, reaching goals we never thought we could, and continuing to become better people were all things Bray taught us on a daily basis,” says Dotts. “He didn't teach us to become better athletes; he coached us to become better people. In turn, however, we became better athletes.” Bray was a hands-on coach who would do the workouts and drills with his players. One time, during P.E., he ran laps around the basketball court to motivate his students. While running backwards and offering encouragement, Bray crashed into a basketball net pole and was knocked out.
Bray believed in learning by doing, not by watching and copying. Dotts remembers how Bray threw him into the pool by himself to teach 40 frosh-soph girls how to play water polo. Passionate about his students, Bray would push them to the edge. He didn't believe in staying in one's comfort zone because doing so would hinder learning. Above all, he was a good-humored person who enjoyed a good laugh. “He tries to motivate you by throwing a temper tantrum, but inside he's really laughing at you,” says Eich. Once, he threw the backboard of one of the water polo nets into the middle of the pool and jumped onto it, while shouting to his players, “Now, get me to the side and don't let me get wet!” One time, when Eich was trying to break the record time for treading water and had to go to the hospital for a ruptured lung, Bray just laughed at him. A caring man who truly loved working with kids, Bray even set up small breakfasts with juice, donuts, and bagels for his players before practice. Unlike other coaches, Bray didn't believe in cutting people from the swim team. While there was a 13-player limit on the varsity team, there was no cap on the number of players on the frosh-soph team. Bray even created extra teams so that his students could swim and have fun. He seemed to wear an aura of life and vibrancy. No matter what time of day it was, Bray was always energetic and good-humored, singing, whistling, and walking around with his keys jingling. Dotts recalls one of his most vivid memories of Bray. Two years before Dotts entered high school, he accompanied Bray with other swimmers on a trip to Hawaii While hiking, Bray was swung on a vine over a rock cliff, slipped, and fell the entire way down. Although he stood back up and tried to walk it off, he was a bloody wreck. Though an ambulance came and carried him off to the hospital, he was still as strong as ever. “Anyone would have died from that fall,” said Dotts. “But not Bray. He was an inspiration to me on so many levels.” Bray was fit and athletic, as shown by his run-swim trek with the Junior Guard from Mexico's border to the Huntington Beach pier. He also completed an 8-day run-swim trek from Point Conception in Santa Barbara to the pier. He was the kind of man who lived life on the edge. Sometimes he wouldn't sleep for several days and would just crash after that. “There was just one speed for him—100 miles per hour,” says Eich. “I don't think I ever saw him slow down.” If you have a memory of Coach Bray or a comment about his life--and are willing to share it here--please email mpoff@fvhs.com See responses here. 6/21/06 update: For more information or to sign the guest book for the family go to ebray.net Instead of flowers the family asks that donations be made to one of the Royal Family Kid's Camp Friends of the Junior Guards Gideons International Any mail can be forwarded to
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