Missouri State

RAY HALEY
Football, 1947-51
Inducted October 8, 1977

The standout backfield teammate of John Batten on the MIAA champion football Bears in 1951, "Wrecker" Ray Haley was then on his second conference title team for Missouri State. The Springfield Senior High Product started his Bears career in 1947 and was promptly selected to the all-conference second team at fullback. He was picked to the all-league team in 1948 and was selected the league’s most valuable back as he rushed for 716 yards on 111 carries for an average of 6.45 yards a carry. He scored eight touchdowns and was a mainstay on Coach Tommy O’Boyle’s powerful 9-2 delegation which outscored its opposition 233-66. The Bears and Maryville tied for the league title and MSU was selected to go on to Mo-Kan Bowl game against Emporia State. Haley scored two touchdowns in that contest as the Bears lost to the Hornets, 34-20. The popular gridder signed a conference ban on pro baseball players but he returned in 1951 when the ban was lifted. With just a week of preparation before his first action, he teamed with Batten to help the Bears to an uphill battle for a league title tie. He finished the year with five touchdowns and two extra points and was the club’s top rusher in a season finale loss to Missouri Valley College. He was selected to the all-MIAA second team.