Wabash College Athletics

From a one-room school in Monroe, Pennsylvania, to Wabash College to the United States Navy and on to Indiana State University, Walt Gray has distinguished himself in every arena. Born in Knox, PA, Gray came to Wabash from Newcastle Chrysler High School in the fall of 1937 as an outstanding athlete, especially in the sport of football.

During his four years at Wabash, Gray proved to be one of the finest all-around players in history. An accomplished running back, receiver, and defensive halfback, Gray is perhaps best remembered as Wabash's finest punter of all-time. Averaging over 50 yards per boot in most games, Gray gave Wabash an advantage with his talented foot. His feet were fast too and he earned All.State honors in his senior year in leading Wabash to a 4-4-1 record under coach Pete Vaughan. He scored six touchdowns that year, none more important than his four-yard, game-winning run in a 17-13 win over DePauw in the Monon Bell Classic. Time was about to run out on the Little Giants, when Gray went off tackle to pound the ball into the end zone, helping Wabash regain possession of the Bell after a three-year absence.

A check of the newspaper archives reveals a two-touchdown performance in a win over Hanover, a 53-yard punting average in the Denison game, and a 70-yard run against Rose Poly. His "coffin corner" kicks, unsurpassed running, and his fine blocking also earned him a spot on the all-conference squad during his senior year. A slugging third baseman on the Wabash baseball team, Gray was a lifetime .355 batter with a knack for driving in runs in key situations.

He left Wabash for the Navy, serving three years, and his ship earned a presidential citation for the Battle of the Borie. He coached at Ridge High School, then went to Bloomington to University High School as athletic director for what was to be a short period of time while he earned his masters degree. A Ph.D followed, and so did 18 football seasons that saw him go 110-55-1.

Gray was a firm believer in  the team approach to football. "A boy doesn't have to excel in a particular sport to participate in it. All he has to do is to have enthusiasm, loyalty, team spirit, and practice regularly." Gray proved that point, playing 132 men in a 1960 football game.

While with the Univees, Gray initiated the wrestling and baseball programs, was track coach and JV basketball coach for 15 years, and coached the golf team to a state championship in 1965. U-school was saddened to hear of Gray's resignation in 1966 to accept a professorship at Indiana State University in the Health, Recreation, and Physical Education Department. As Professor of Health and Safety and Director of the ISU Driver and Traffic Safety Program, Gray was named to the Board of Directors of the National Safety Council and was appointed by Presidents Nixon and Reagan to an Advisory Committee for the US Department of Transportation. He has been honored by senators and congressmen for his work, and earned the Sagamore of the  Wabash from the State of Indiana.