“…Ray exemplifies what I feel to be ideal qualities for a coach of youth, and high school students. In addition to having a tremendous knowledge of soccer skills, he has proven himself to be a patient, caring, and sensitive coach. He has this wonderful ability to generate a combination of enthusiasm along with discipline and respect from his team members.”
Raymond Bailey ’80 graduated with a B.S. in Recreation from Lyndon State College in 1980. He went to work for the Lyndonville Electric Department in 1982 and has worked his way up the ranks to head lineman.
While a student at LSC, Raymond was a stand out soccer player for four years. Leading scorer, All Conference Player, and Most Valuable Player were among his many accolades.
The impact that Raymond has had on local youth soccer is remarkable. In 1990 Raymond played an instrumental role in establishing the Lyndonville Area Youth Soccer program (LAYS) for K-8th grade students and in developing a varsity soccer program at Lyndon Institute. Over the past 17 years, he has served as the LAYS board president, board member, coach, and referee. In addition to these roles, he has taken an active interest in the upkeep and continuous improvement in the fields and equipment. Raymond has also been coaching the girl’s soccer team at Lyndon Institute for the past seven years, reaping the benefits of the “feeder program” he helped establish.
Beyond soccer, Raymond has also served his community in the softball and baseball arenas. In addition to a two year stint as a boy’s Minor League coach, Raymond has coached 14 years of girl’s softball, from Minor League to Little League, and now Senior Babe Ruth. His teams earned championship titles at both the Minor League and Little League levels, including a prestigious trip with the Little League champions to the regional competition in Delaware. When he reflects on his coaching, Raymond states: “You give what someone else has given to you…I like to return the favor. I was gifted with great coaches.”
In his “spare time” Raymond has served on both the Lyndonville Fire Department and the LSC Alumni Council. He is currently very active with the Knight’s of Columbus. In addition to being a 4th degree member, Raymond holds the position of Grand Knight for Council # 13574.
Raymond and his wife, Diane, reside in Lyndonville, Vermont. They have three grown children – Garrett, Laura ’07, and Christine.
