FBI Watch Officer Ray Honored as Dallas College Lifetime Legacy Award Recipient

CORDELL RAY REFLECTING ON EASTFIELD DAYS

GARLAND, Texas – Former Dallas College Eastfield men's basketball player Cordell Ray was one of two former Harvester Bees honored with the Dallas College Athletics Lifetime Legacy Award.

Dallas College Athletics' Lifetime Legacy Award honors former student-athletes and coaches who distinguished themselves through exceptional athletic and academic performances at their respective campuses, and who have continued to excel in their professional and personal lives long after their playing days. These individuals represent the highest standards of leadership, excellence and impact – both within Dallas College and in the communities they serve.

"I am honored to receive the Legacy Award for Dallas (College) Eastfield," Ray said. "You don't know how much this means to me. I can't believe it's been almost going on 30 years (since) I've been at Eastfield College, roaming the halls, playing basketball, hanging out. That's remarkable in itself.

"I was at Eastfield College for a year. I was planning on transferring. I wanted a fresh start. I wanted to go to junior college. My uncle Norman suggested that I come to Texas to look at some colleges. But he knew about this coach at Eastfield College (named) Bob Flickner. He put me in touch with him and Coach (Mark) Murdock, and the rest is history. That's the best decision I ever made, regarding basketball."  

Ray won an NJCAA Division III national championship with the Harvester Bees in 1996-97. A 6-foot-9 sophomore, Ray was named the NJCAA Division III National Player of the Year and a First Team All-American. He holds the Harvester Bees' season rebounding average record at 11.1 boards per game. He is tied for seventh in program history for most points in a game (43).

Ray transferred to Hawai'i Pacific University, where he played in 1998-99. He earned a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice and law enforcement administration in 1999. He earned a Master of Public Administration in public policy analysis from Bowie State University.

He served in the United States Army until 2006.

Ray has worked as a watch officer for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, D.C. since 2012. He's also held a role as a counterintelligence officer for the United States Department of the Army since 2011.  

"I've had a lot of accomplishments in my life, but being at Eastfield College and doing something like this is great," Ray said. "I just can't believe it."