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Praise for coach Bruce Raley

I played football with Bruce at Horse Branch and Ohio County. I was one year behind Bruce and walked in his shadow for all those years. Bruce Raley was a friend, a inspiration and a brother to all of us younger players. I will tell you this, you can not talk about Ohio County football without heaping praise and honor on this man. The accomplishments and the legend of Bruce Raley in football make this and easy decision.
NAME THAT FIELD FOR BRUCE RALEY!!!

- Rickie Morris

"Bruce is a true ‘Ohio Countian’. He grew up in the Horse Branch, Rosine community. He has had other jobs but has always lived in Ohio County"

- Dick Berry, Bruce’s high school coach

I served OCHS for 30 years, and had the privilege to work with Coach Raley for many of those. I 100% support the naming of the field after Coach Raley. He has always been a kind, helpful individual both during his tenure at OCHS and in his retirement. I feel he is more than deserving of this honor because of his dedication to Ohio County and his general character. When my oldest son Ricky was in high school, Coach Raley worked with him, and brought him in to help manage the team. Quite honestly, this was the bright spot in my son's high school career. To this day, anytime Coach Raley sees me, he always asks how Ricky is doing, and shows genuine care for him. That, among other reasons, is why I totally support this endeavor. Thank you, and keep fighting for Coach Raley!

Everett Brown - Retired OCHS Teacher

He taught me how to compete, respect for coaches and teams. He passed this on to his teams.

- Sherri Raley Wade

Most coaches that came to Ohio County are not from Ohio County. They are brought in from other areas, Bruce knew us as young men he knew about working in the hayfields or the farms. Bruce work in coal mines where our fathers worked, he understood the fear that we had of our fathers being in the mines, Bruce understood this.

- Dalton Maples

Coach, mentor, and father figure he taught discipline and hard work. He built character and he built men. He is one of the primary reasons for my success in life today.

- Mark Sullo
Dept. Assistant Director of US Dept. of State Diplomatic Security for Domestic Operation
Retired Lieutenant Colonel Marine Corps Reserve

On my first day on the field, I didn't know how to get in a stance. Bruce Raley put me down and was moving me around and he said I am going to make you a football player. I started every game my Junior and Senior years. I give every credit to Bruce. I had a love of the game and he shared his love of the game to let me learn, so I could become the best player and person I could be. To this day, I tell him he is the reason that I am like I am. He is one of the people who molded me and I give him so much credit.

- Greg Luttrell

Coach Raley was my high school coach during my playing days at Owensboro High School. He was more than a coach to me as a player, one who looked out for me in SO many ways! I have been able to keep in touch with Coach Raley over the years during my adulthood & he has offered some advice during different aspects of life. This is a well deserved recognition for ALL the students & athletes he has impacted over the years!

- Jason Harrison

Coach Raley is a constant presence in the Ohio County Football Program. He stops by at least once a week to see how the team is doing and of course to ask if the team needs anything. To this day Coach Raley is still involved and has a role in the program. I am personally all for the field having his name on it.

- Coach Josh Monin,
Current Head Coach Ohio County Football

As a former Ohio County Teacher, coach, and coworker with Bruce, I can’t think of a more deserving person to honor. Bruce grew up, played, taught, and coached at OCHS. I know his devotion to the program, county, and players will always be paramount. If anyone deserves this honor, it should be Bruce Raley.

- Joe Prince

Great couches are usually great men. Coach Raley is this kind of man. He deserves to have the field named for him. I graduated from Hartford in 1964 and have 4 children graduate from OCHS. My coach(no football at Hartford) was Charles Combs who was another great coach/man.

- Ellis King

On a personal level, he has impacted so many lives, kids playing football aspiring to play at Ohio County HS. He was instrumental in me getting an opportunity to play football at Murray State. In my Senior year, Frank Beamer staff had offered me a scholarship. At the end of the year, Frank Beamer and Bud Foster ended up going to Va. Tech. I was in limbo for about a month. A new coach was hired Mike Mahoney, and Coach Raley went way out of his way to work with that staff to ensure that my scholarship offer still stood. The thing I love about him is that it wasn't just about playing high school football for him, he and I stayed connected for a good piece of my life.

- Reggie Kennedy

I support this very much. I played four years Bruce he taught me so much about football and life. The most important thing was to push myself because anything was possible.

- James Abney

Frequently asked Questions

Does this change the name the stadium?

Absolutely not. Frank Barnes Memorial Stadium is the name of the stadium and will remain the name of the stadium. Naming the field in honor of Coach Raley is consistent with many other high school and college programs who have recognized their program’s leaders.

Links to examples of other programs that have named their fields:

https://www.wdrb.com/news/ballard-high-school-names-football-field-in-honor-of-lynn-family/article_14df19f2-eeec-11eb-bd48-2f94212e84c2.html

https://www.thetimestribune.com/news/knox-central-football-field-to-be-named-alumni-field/article_0de35844-9b3f-11e6-a0e3-834f53b2bf92.html

https://www.trinityrocks.com/athletics/athletics-facilities/

https://ekusports.com/sports/2008/10/1/GEN_1001081044.aspx

https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/wku_timeline/406/

https://www.wcpsky.org/warreneasthigh/News/4168#sthash.NJnlnEo6.dpbs

https://kwcpanthers.com/facilities/steele-stadium/7

Will this require extensive upgrades or maintenance?

No. Honoring Coach Raley will require nothing more than stenciling his name horizontally onto the field in the same manner the lines are drawn for games.

Is this going to cost Ohio County taxpayers any money?

No. The stenciling of Coach Raley’s name will require a very minimum amount of paint.