2020 Hall of Fame Spotlight: Ray Frias '84
PAXTON, MA –Men’s basketball player Ray Frias ‘84 will be inducted into the Anna Maria College Athletic Department Hall of Fame as a member of the 2020 Hall of Fame Class on Saturday, March 25, 2023. The Hall of Fame ceremony for the 2020 class was postponed due to a weather postponement and then the COVID pandemic. This marks the 7th Hall of Fame class at Anna Maria, the Hall of Fame was founded in 1993. The five 2020 inductees will join the 26 current Hall of Fame Members which include athletes, coaches, administrators and staff. The Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have distinguished themselves through their involvement in Anna Maria’s athletic program and who have demonstrated outstanding character, leadership, commitment, and sportsmanship.
"The Hall of Fame Committee, athletics department, and the college is excited to induct the 2020 Hall of Fame Class into the Anna Maria College Hall of Fame on March 25th. This class has waited over two years for this rightfully deserved honor. This group joins a great group of Hall of Fame members," commented Joe Brady '96, Director of Athletics. "I am excited to be a part of my first induction ceremony and this special occasion for these four outstanding individuals. We also look forward to celebrating Kelly's accomplishments in the fall."
Ray Frias ’84 (posthumously) did it all during his time with the AMCATS and embodied Anna Maria College athletics. He was a student-athlete who saw an opportunity to build a long-lasting athletic tradition by giving it all and playing multiple sports (basketball, baseball, and soccer). Frias’s contribution to Anna Maria College athletics went beyond, it was his easy-going personality that was an asset to an athletic program which was just getting established.
Frias’s teammates attest, he was a fierce competitor who always made things look easy. He was never afraid of a challenge, and took them on with a smile. Frias was the most unselfish teammate you could ever want on your team. Frias’ name appears throughout the men’s basketball record book including second in offensive rebounds in a season (109). He is fourth all-time in defensive rebounds in a game with 15 against Saint Joseph’s College. Frias scored 819 career-points (33rd all-time) and grabbed 479 career rebounds (18th all-time).
Frias graduated from the Greater New York Academy in 1980. Ray worked as an Executive Director of the Better Business Bureau and served as the Board President of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Frias passed away in April of 2009, leaving two daughters, Celina and Abigail, and their mother, Sheila Harrity.
“Although Ray is not physically here with us, his spirit, his kindness, his unselfishness and a smile that could light up a room will always be part of the many people he came across”, commented Luis Frias ’83 (brother and college teammate)
Ray will be presented into the Hall of Fame by his friend and teammate Shawn Conway ‘85.His brother and teammate Luis Frias, a 1993 Hall of Fame inductee, will accept on Ray’s behalf.
