Ray Ball

Just the fourth commissioner of the Colorado High School Activities Association (and only the second full-time commissioner), Ray Ball's tenure spanned a tumultuous time in high school activities history. During his two decades as commissioner (he served four years as assistant commissioner previously), the Association grew from a total of 10 sanctioned programs (all for boys) to 22 activities (including those for girls), including music, speech and student council.

It was during this time that high school activities moved to a more litigious approach to change. Ball supervised the advent of female participation in Colorado schools, and promoted the opening of the Association to private school membership. He helped develop one of the nation's first catastrophic injuiy insurance plans, in addition to serving in a number of positions at the National Federation for State High School Associations.

Although somewhat reluctant to accept this honor, Ball points to the countless volunteers who helped the Association gain the success it did during his tenure.

Ball has served as president of the Colorado High School Coaches Association, in addition to serving as president of the National Federation, the only Coloradan to ever to do so. He served as a member of the NF Executive Committee on two occasions, and served on numerous national rules committees. In fact, Ball chaired the NF Football Rules Committee for 13 years.

His list of awards is lengthy, including membership in the CHSCA Hall of Fame. He has been awarded Outstanding Contributions recognition from the Colorado Athletic Directors Association, Colorado Music Educators Association and Colorado Football Officials Association. He has been awarded the National High School Coaches Association's Distinguished Service Award.

The former commissioner received the 1986 past president's award from the National Federation and has received numerous awards for his work in high school activities, officiating and rules committee work.