An Historic Ball Finds its Resting Place

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Members of some of Coach Richard's teams who were on hand Tuesday night to honor their legendary leader included (from left): Tod Silegy '71, Dick Ellingwood (back) and Mike Crowe '75, Steve Smith '72, Ray Abbott '74, Coach Richard, Kent Richard '78 (back), Athletic Director Kevin Proctor '95, and Paul Boule '72.

At halftime of the Tuesday night, Jan. 17, game with John Stark, alumni and current students took time to honor a Conval coaching legend, Ray Richard.

Coach Ray was Conval's first-ever boys' basketball coach, and while leading the Peterborough High Hilanders and the Conval Cougars from 1967 to 1978, he accumulated a record of 163-98. Ray also  assisted Conval's storied hoop program through their championship run in the mid 1990s.

On Jan. 11, 1974, vs. Monadnock, Coach Ray picked up his 100th win in a thrilling double overtime victory, 63-61. The game ball from that night, with all the signatures of the players from that historic ‘74 roster, was presented to the high school for placement in the school's trophy case. It will include a plaque identifying the players and Coach Ray’s great accomplishment.

As it was described during the ceremony, "It is an artifact to remind us of where the program came from and inspire us to where it will go."

Pictured below are Coach Richard with son Kent at right and Paul Boule at left. Bottom photo, Ray Abbott lets Joe Gutwein and the current Cougars check out the historic ball and its signatures. (Thanks to Heather Whipple Simard and mikemunhallphotos.com for contributing the photos!)






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