Ray Adkins

Inducted Class of 2000

After relocating to Tucson in 1958, Ray Adkins was hired as a teacher of Health and Physical Education, head baseball coach and assistant football coach at Tucson High School. From 1958 until the time of his retirement in 1983, his leadership won his team the Arizona State Baseball Championships (1958 & 1972) and State Championship Runner-Up status in 1960, 1970, 1971 & 1972. He was awarded “Coach of the Year” in 1976 by the Arizona Republic and again in 1978 by the Tucson Conquistadores. The Arizona Coaches Association dedicated the State All Star Baseball Game to Ray in 1978.

Before coming to Tucson, Ray played professional baseball with the New York Giants from 1937-1941. During his stint in the US Navy in WWII he promoted War bonds through exhibition baseball games playing with such greats as Bobbie Feller, Joe DiMaggio, Tom Early, Cliff Mapes, Jimmy Carlin, Maxie Wilson, to name a few.

After the service he was baseball coach/teacher in Asbury Park winning New Jersey State Shore Championships eight times and Greater Neward Baseball Championships two more times.

He had a lifetime coaching record of 572 wins, 202 losses, 16 ties and is listed in the Almanac of Scholastic Sports as the winningest coach in modern times in the State of Arizona.