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Western Illinois University Athletics

Hall of Fame

Ray Hanson

  • Class
  • Induction
    1974
  • Sport(s)
    Football, Baseball, Administration, Men's Basketball
Ray Hanson (deceased), 1974 - Known as "Mr. Leatherneck", Ray served as athletic director for 38 years. He had the longest tenure of any head football coach ever at Western and also served as basketball and baseball coach for many years. A highly decorated war hero (he served as a Marine in both World Wars), Rock was directly responsible for permission to use the U.S. Marine Corps nickname and insignia being granted to WIU.

He was inducted into the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) in 1970.


 
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