Rayman ends on a positive note
Published 12:00 am Monday, March 25, 2002
GLENVILLE – Jeff Rayman doesn’t know if he’ll ever return to coaching.
Monday, March 25, 2002
GLENVILLE – Jeff Rayman doesn’t know if he’ll ever return to coaching.
If not, he can rest comfortably with the knowledge his final season was a success.
Rayman, who announced he’s leaving coaching after 15 years, guided the Glenville-Emmons boys’ basketball team to the most wins in school history as the Wolverines finished 18-5.
The Wolverines didn’t finish on top this year, taking second in their conference and falling in the playoffs to eventual section champ Bethlehem Academy, but Rayman does. He’s the Tribune’s Coach of the Year for boys’ basketball.
Rayman said the success enjoyed by the 2001-02 Wolverines was the result of two things: he had a talented group of players and those players were dedicated.
&uot;I thought we’d be all right this year,&uot; said Rayman. &uot;I knew we had a good bunch of kids. Any coach will tell you, when you’ve got a good bunch of kids it makes your job a lot easier. You need talent to win.&uot;
And offseason work helps.
&uot;This group, I know, spent a lot of time at it,&uot; said Rayman. &uot;They started at the grade-school level and stayed with it. The record shows how much time and effort you put into it.&uot;
Rayman’s peers say he has put in that same effort. They’re also sad to see him leave coaching.
&uot;I’ve known him for a long time,&uot; said Alden-Conger coach Dave Bosma. &uot;He knows the game of basketball and loves the game of basketball, and it reflects on the kids. He’s a good guy.&uot;
&uot;I’m always enjoyed competing against him,&uot; said NRHEG coach Matt Eppen. &uot;He’s a good guy to coach against, he always likes to talk. He’s been a friend. I’m kind of sorry to see him leaving, but he can be very proud of the job he has done, and it’s because of his commitment to the program.&uot;
Rayman’s commitment to the Glenville community goes way back. A 1977 graduate of Glenville High School, he served as an assistant coach under his brother Craig before getting the head job five years ago.
Rayman’s squads made continuous progress. After going 1-22 his first season, the Wolverines were 6-18 and 6-17 before going 10-10 in 2000-01. This past season’s 18-5 record surpassed the Wolverines’ previous best of 17-7 under Rayman’s brother Craig.
&uot;He was a good teacher,&uot; said Rayman. &uot;I got a good start sitting beside Craig.&uot;
So why is Rayman leaving coaching?
&uot;I just need a little break from it,&uot; he said. &uot;I take things too hard. I love it, but some of the other things sometimes are hard to deal with.&uot;
Community support is not one of them. Rayman said that has been outstanding. The toughest part is not being able to play everyone as much as they would like.
&uot;You hate hurting kids’ feelings,&uot; said Rayman. &uot;Everyone can’t play.&uot;
A key player for the Wolverines the past two years was Rayman’s son, Chase, who graduates this spring. Rayman said it has been an enjoyable experience, though probably more enjoyable for him than his son.
&uot;I’m sure for every coach, it’s kind of a dream come true to coach your son,&uot; said Rayman. &uot;I’ve probably been too hard on him sometimes. But he’s been a big part of our success, and he’ll be the first to tell you it takes a team effort. It’s been a fun ride.&uot;
I’m not saying I won’t ever coach again, but I do need a little break from it,&uot; added Rayman. &uot;Right now, it’s time to step aside.&uot;