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Lud Wray
File:Lud Wray Yellow Jackets.jpg
Wray as a member of the Frankford Athletic Association Yellow Jackets in 1922.
Position:Center
Personal information
Born:(1894-02-07)February 7, 1894
Philadelphia
Died:July 24, 1967(1967-07-24) (aged 73)
Philadelphia
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:180 lb (82 kg)
Career information
High school:Chestnut Hill (PA)
College:Penn
Career history
As player:
* Buffalo Niagaras (1918)
As coach:
* Penn (1923–1929)
Assistant coach
  • Penn (1930)
    Head coach
  • Boston Braves (1932)
    Head coach
  • Philadelphia Eagles (1933–1935)
    Head coach
  • Manhattan (1938–1940)
    Assistant coach
  • Saint Joseph's Hawks (1941)
    Assistant coach
  • Holy Cross (1942–1943)
    Assistant coach
  • Head coaching record
    Regular season:.354 (NFL)
    .556 (College)
    Player stats at PFR
    Coaching stats at PFR

    James R. Ludlow "Lud" Wray (February 7, 1894 – July 24, 1967) was a professional American football player, coach, and co-founder, with college teammate Bert Bell, of the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League. He was the first coach of the Boston Braves (now Washington Redskins) and of the Eagles.[1] He also served as head coach at his alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania.

    Playing career[]

    File:Lud Wray 1921.jpg

    Wray as a member of the Buffalo All-Americans in 1921.

    Wray attended Chestnut Hill Academy in Philadelphia, where he lettered in baseball and football.[2] He played his college football at the University of Pennsylvania, was the Quakers' center from 1914 to 1916. During World War I, Wray served in the United States Marine Corps. He returned for his senior season in 1919.[3] In additional to football, Wray also played catcher on the Penn baseball team.[2]

    Professionally, Wray played for the Buffalo Niagaras, Buffalo Prospects, and Buffalo All-Americans[4] from 1918 until 1921. In 1920 and 1921, Buffalo was a member of the National Football League (then called the American Professional Football Association).[5]

    Coaching career[]

    Penn[]

    From 1923 to 1929, Wray served as an assistant football coach at Penn. In 1930 he succeeded Lou Young as head coach.[2] He was fired on December 12, 1930, due to friction with players, alumni, and the public.[6]

    Boston Braves[]

    In 1932, Wray was named head coach of the Boston Braves, a National Football League expansion team.[7] The Braves went 4–4–2 in their inaugural season. He left the team after one season and was replaced by Lone Star Dietz.[8]

    Philadelphia Eagles[]

    In 1933, Wray's former teammate and fellow assistant at Penn, Bert Bell convinced him to become coach of the expansion Philadelphia Eagles. By 1936, the club was suffering significant financial losses and was offered for sale at a public auction. Bell was the only bidder and became the team's sole owner. On April 28, Wray refused a 66% reduction in salary and left the team.[9]

    Later career[]

    In 1938, Wray became an assistant at Manhattan College.[10] He remained with the school until his resignation in November 1940.[11] In 1941, Wray served as an assistant to Anthony H. Scanlan at Saint Joseph's University.[12] When Scanlan became head coach at Holy Cross, Wray followed him. In 1943, Scanlan's war commitments limited him to only being able to coach on game day and Wray led the team the rest of the week. Wray and Scanlan had a falling out and Wray was replaced by Ox DaGrosa for 1944.[13]

    Personal life and death[]

    On December 26, 1933, Wray married Juanita Sauveur.[14] He died on July 25, 1967, in Philadelphia. At the time of his death, Wray resided in Oreland, Pennsylvania. He was survived by his wife.[3]

    Head coaching record[]

    College[]

    Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
    Penn Quakers (Independent) (1930)
    1930 Penn 5–4
    Penn: 5–4
    Total: 5–4–1
    Indicates BCS bowl, Bowl Alliance or Bowl Coalition game.

    References[]

    1. Dupont, Kevin Paul (29 December 2013). "Redskins name debate traces to Boston". The Boston Globe. https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2013/12/29/redskins-wonder-what-name-the-answer-traces-back-boston/GmfYbPTnHx1Ht5NgqN1EOM/story.html. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
    2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Wray Named Coach of Eleven at Penn". The New York Times. December 21, 1929.
    3. 3.0 3.1 "Lud Wray, Ex-Owners of Football Eagles". The New York Times. July 26, 1967.
    4. "Lud Wray". NFL. NFL. http://www.nfl.com/player/ludwray/2529390/profile. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
    5. Miller, Jeffery (2002). Buffalo's Forgotten Champions. http://www.buffalonian.com/history/industry/sports/buffforgotchampI.html.
    6. "Wray is released as Coach by Penn". The New York Times. December 13, 1930.
    7. "Pro Football Plans for Boston Outlined". The Boston Daily Globe. April 21, 1932.
    8. "Sportsman" (March 8, 1933). "Live Tips and Topics". The Boston Daily Globe.
    9. Lyons, Robert S. (2010). On Any Given Sunday: A Life of Bert Bell. Philadelphia: Temple University Press.
    10. "Kopf Names Wray Manhattan Aide". The New York Times. February 15, 1938.
    11. "Tessier to Coach Line". The New York Times. March 6, 1941.
    12. Fitzgerald, Tom (December 9, 1941). "Unknown Named Crusder Coach". The Boston Daily Globe.
    13. "Ank Scanlan Resigns". The Boston Daily Globe. December 19, 1944.
    14. "J.R.L. Wray Weds Miss Sauveur". The New York Times. December 27, 1933.
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