Ray Corbett

Ray Corbett, son of Rodney and Opal Corbett, the youngest of seven boys, graduated from Bishop Ready HS in 1975 and The Ohio State University in 1979. At Ready, he played both baseball and basketball. Bishop Ready won the AA State Championships in both his freshman and sophomore years. At Bishop Ready he played for Bob Jackson who influenced Corbett greatly with his defensive approach to the game. It was a belief that stayed with him his entire coaching career.

Corbett began his career as an assistant freshman coach at Father Wehrle HS in 1978. Coaching football, basketball and baseball as a student teacher that year. In 1979, he was an assistant in both football and basketball at Jonathan Alder HS. He went back to Father Wehrle in 1980 as a varsity assistant to Coach Dave Miller. After Miller departed, Chuck Kemper took over and Ray became his JV coach for the next five
years. In those five seasons, Wehrle made it to the Final Four three times. The third, turned out to be a charm as Wehrle won its first State Championship.

After that State Championship season, Corbett went on to become the head coach at Bishop Ready HS for the 1986-87 season. Grandview’s Athletic Director Larry Larson called and I became a Bobcat from Grandview the next year. From 1987-2023 Corbett was the coach of the Bobcats. Winning a total of 522 games and losing 287 at Grandview. Five league championships and 8 Districts were gathered. The 1997-98 team made it to the Final Four, the 2019-20 team had its season ended by Covid 19 at the regional final level.

Individual honors include AP Coach of the Year in both 1992-93, and 1997-98 seasons. OHSBCA Coach of the Year in 2013-14 and North-South All Star Coach in 1998-99. District 10 Coach of the Year 13 times.

Though the Hall of Fame is an individual honor, Corbett realizes that without the help and support of great assistant coaches it never would have happened. These coaches Joe Harlow, Dave Ball, Tom King, Wally Teeters, Kevin Richards, Anthony Mangette, Rod Overmyer, Tony Gatto, Brad Gmerec, Roger Fox, Jason Hicks, Jack Quinichet, Matt Siegal and the late great Steve Hall are just a few.

Finally, without his family and their support and involvement over the years, coaching would have been very hollow. The love and support of his wife of 43 years Martha, and 3 children Andy, Tommy and Mary. Having them in the gym for practice and games as they were growing up was a great experience and brings back special memories. Coaching Tom was an unbelievable experience and Andy filming our games was
special as well. Then to watch as Mary became the player she became and the young lady and coach (Kenyon University) she is now is very special.

Finally, I would like to thank the guidance and support of his brothers in choosing and staying with this career. Especially important in that group was Jim and Dale. They kept me going in a straight line when I needed the most.