Ray S. Cornwell, Jr.

Year Inducted: 2014

Like his mentors Dan O’Barsky (2013) and Terry Gamble (2010), Ray S. Cornwell Jr. joins the Port Huron Sports Hall of Fame as an individual member of the class of 2014.

Cornwell was an assistant coach with the St. Clair County Community College volleyball teams that won national titles in 2000 and 2004. Both teams are in the Hall of Fame.

Born in Port Huron in 1954, Cornwell attended Port Huron High and graduated in 1972. He was a four-year member of the wrestling team.

Involved with recreation softball and bowling, O’Barsky was responsible for getting Cornwell into volleyball. He joined the Tuesday Men’s League at the YMCA and won many league championships. The two teamed up to play in travel and Canadian leagues. Their team won a national championship in Indianapolis in 1997, a state championship in 2006 and participated in men’s national tournaments in 35-and-older, 40-and-older and 45-and-older divisions.

Cornwell participated in the Senior National Olympics in Louisville in 2007.

Gamble got Cornwell into coaching, first in his Blue Water Volleyball Club and later as an assistant at SC4. Under Cornwell, the club won numerous Amateur Athletics Union state titles from 1996 to 2004. He joined the SC4 coaching staff in 1999. In addition to the two national championship squads, Cornwell celebrated state titles in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2004.

Ray has been a registered volleyball official for 36 years, and continues to live in Port Huron with his wife, Kathy. He has two daughters, Danielle and Kelly, and five grandchildren.