Mr. Ray Werner, the Outdoor Education teacher at LFHS, has been involved in sports the majority of his life, both as a player and a coach. However, most people at LFHS are unaware of his background with sports and the amazing things he has accomplished. At our school, Werner has been the Girls Volleyball coach for 25 years now. During his time as a college student, Werner was an accomplished baseball player at Penn State University.
Werner was a starting third baseman his junior and senior seasons and helped lead his team to many victories. During his senior season, Werner and his teammates clutched the Big Ten Championship, an impressive feat to accomplish. In the spring of 1998, he became a volunteer baseball coach at the University of Illinois, guiding the team to their own Big Ten Championship. Werner’s hard work, talent and dedication to the sport helped him earn two championship rings.
Most of Werner’s volleyball players didn’t know that he was a former baseball player, or even that much of his past revolved around sports. When sophomore Varsity Volleyball player Abby Uhart learned that Werner played for Penn State, she was shocked.
“When I found out that Werner played baseball in college, I was so surprised because I’ve never heard him mention it before. He is one of the most humble people I know; it’s not like him to brag about himself at all,” said Uhart.
Two more of the Varsity Volleyball players Werner currently coaches, senior Kiley Goodman and junior Molly Thomas, also agreed that his humble personality reflects who he is as a person.
“From the outside, Werner is so calm and collected– you would never suspect just how competitive he really is,” said Goodman. Considering Werner was a collegiate level baseball player, he definitely has a competitive side. When coaching, Werner is very competitive, which always gets the team fired up and ready to play.
Werner has made an impact on every team he has played or coached for, his humble demeanor always shining through. Whether it’s getting a huge victory, or working through a tough loss, his competitiveness, kindness and supportive attitude make him someone that everyone would want on their team.
“It’s rare to hear Coach Werner talk about himself since he always wants to help and discuss others first. Though he played baseball at a high level, he doesn’t often talk about it because he focuses on the athletes who he’s teaching. It’s truly admirable,” said Thomas.
Despite playing baseball for Penn State– something many would consider “brag worthy”– he does anything but that. He always puts others’ needs before his own.
“I remember when the team found out he played baseball at Penn State. We were all shocked because he hadn’t talked about it before. But I think that just goes to show the type of person Werner is. He is super humble and selfless, and is just overall a great person,” said Goodman. His selflessness does not go unnoticed. Whether he is helping set up for gym classes, or helping the volleyball team set up the court, Werner’s compassionate personality leaves a positive impact on everyone he encounters.
Werner has truly made such an impact at LFHS while coaching, teaching and supporting students. He is somebody that we should look up to and aspire to be like.
