Coach Woodard tapped for Kilgore College Hall of Fame
10/22/2009
After enrolling as a freshman student at Kilgore College in the fall of 1979, Ray Woodard decided to take a stab at football as a walkon candidate during spring training.
It was a decision that paid huge dividends for the then gangly 220-pounder who had played in the offensive and defensive lines at Corrigan-Camden High School. Not only did Woodard make the Kilgore team in the fall of 1980, he earned second team Junior College All-America honors as a defensive tackle, and he was an honorable mention selection as a sophomore.
"We went undefeated my freshman season, and we were ranked No. 1 in the nation," said Woodard, now Lamar University's head football coach, in looking back upon his playing days at Kilgore College. "It was the first championship team I had ever been on in football, so those were exciting times.
"I went from just trying to make the team to finally feeling like I was a contributor by the time we played our first conference game against Navarro College. In addition to playing defense, I backed up at tight end, and I caught a touchdown pass against Wharton Junior College in the game that locked up the conference championship. That was pretty awesome."
By the time he finished his Kilgore career, Woodard had grown to 260 pounds, and he used his success at the junior college level as a springboard to a football scholarship at the University of Texas. He also eventually played five seasons in the National Football League. Highlight of his NFL career was playing for the Denver Broncos' AFC championship team.
On Saturday, Woodard will return to Kilgore to be enshrined in the Kilgore College Hall of Fame. Induction ceremonies will be held during an 11:30 a.m. luncheon in the Rangerette Gym, and the 2009 Hall of Fame class will be recognized at halftime of the Kilgore vs. Northeastern Oklahoma A&M football game.
"It is quite an honor to become identified in this manner with the place that I love and has done so much for me," said Woodard, who later spent eight seasons as Kilgore College's defensive coordinator under head coach Jimmy Rieves. "I wouldn't have gotten my foot in the door at the University of Texas or anywhere else if Kilgore College hadn't have given me the opportunity to prove myself. I'll forever be grateful to Kilgore College."
Woodard will be joined in the 2009 HOF induction class by Steve Atchley (football, 1966-1967), Pat Murphy (football, 1967-1968), George Riley (football, 1950-1951), Wilmer Cox (men's basketball, 1956-1958), Tina Malone (women's basketball, 1991-1992) and Wayne Fortson, former team doctor. Also, the entire 1975 conference championship football team will be recognized.
"As always, I look forward to this year's Hall of Fame ceremonies," said Rieves, now Kilgore College's director of athletics. "It is one of the most rewarding and inspirational events of the year. "It's great to make connections with the athletes and supporters who have ensured over the years that Kilgore College was one of the premier athletic programs in the country."
