Harold "Tubby" Raymond

Harold R. "Tubby" Raymond (born November 14, 1926) was University of Delaware head football coach (1966-2001) and College Football Hall of Fame inductee (2003).

Football career

Raymond, a native of Flint, MI, was a quarterback and linebacker at the University of Michigan. At Michigan, he played for the legendary Fritz Crisler. While playing for Crisler, Raymond learned the Single-Wing offense. He later became a legendary innovator of the famous Wing-T offense while at the University of Delaware following fellow college football Hall of Fame inductee David M. Nelson an original mastermind of the Wing-T offense. He first began his career at Delaware as backfield coach under Nelson (also ex-Michigan) from 1954-1966. Raymond retired as Head Coach of the Fightin' Blue Hens after 36 seasons with a 300-119-3 record, three national titles (1971, 1972, 1979), 14 Lambert Cup trophies, 23 post-season bids and four consecutive victories in the Boardwalk Bowl. After classifications were formed in the early 1970s, Delaware was a Division II program until elevating to Division I-AA in 1981. He tallied more than half of all-time Blue Hen victories in the 110-year-old program at the time of his retirement. Tubby Raymond Field was dedicated at Delaware Stadium (built in 1952) in his honor on Aug. 29, 2002.

Former Division III Rowan head coach (1993-2001) and Blue Hen linebacker (1978-1981) K. C. Keeler officially replaced Raymond on March 5, 2002.

300th Win

Going into the 2001 season, Raymond need just four wins to reach the 300 mark. At the first game of the season, a banner hung above the stadium listing the numbers 297, 298, 299 and 300. As each win was accomplished, the respective number was crossed off.

Raymond's 300th win came during the last home game of the season on Nov. 10, with a 10-6 victory against the University of Richmond Spiders. As the clock wound down in the game, the crowd began chanting "Tubby, Tubby". Raymond made a short, humble speech and was carried off the field by his team as a construction worker climbed aboard a cherry-picker truck to cross off the final number on the poster.

The following is an excerpt from Tubby Raymond's speech to the exalting Delaware faithful after his 300th victory.

"I have to apologize for paraphrasing, but I feel a little bit like Lou Gehrig. I'm the luckiest man on the face of the earth. First, I'd like to thank the Delaware fans who have been here for so many years. I know there are things that happen that you don't like. There are things that happen that I don't like. But the thing that's there all the time is you. You're at every football game. You're excited about being here, and you truly made Delaware football something we can all be proud of. Thank you very much."

Delaware lost its final game of the season on the road against Villanova, and that winter, Raymond announced his retirement, ending his career at an even 300 wins.

Political Activity

Recently, Raymond has become involved in Delaware politics. Because he is well-known and well-liked in Delaware, his endorsement is sought out by candidates. Raymond describes his political views as "just to the right of Genghis Khan" [ [http://delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070729/NEWS/707290406 delawareonline ¦ The News Journal, Wilmington, Del. ¦ The article requested can not be found! Please refresh your browser or go back. (BL,20070729,NEWS,707290406,AR) ] ]

Despite his conservative views, Raymond has long supported Democrat Jack Markell more out of loyalty than because of political views. As a boy, Markell grew up seven houses away from the Raymonds and the two have remained friends. When Markell ran for state treasurer, Raymond taped radio ads supporting him, a move that Markell claimed as one of his most effective campaign strategies. [ [http://www.delawaregrapevine.com/8-06keeler.asp Delaware Grapevine ] ] In 2007, Markell named Raymond an honorary co-chair of his 2008 gubernatorial bid. [ [http://www.markell.org/press_releases.aspx?pri=7 Jack Markell - Democrat for Governor - Press Releases ] ]

Trivia

*His son, Dave Raymond was a punter on the Blue Hens and is best known as the original Phillie Phanatic (1978-1993). Currently, David Raymond runs the Raymond Entertainment Group, which supervises the Mascot Hall of Fame.

*Raymond is an accomplished painter. While coaching at Delaware, he began a tradition of painting a Blue Hen player each week of the season. Even after retiring from coaching, he continues to paint each senior Blue Hen player. [ [http://www.go-star.com/framer/tubby_raymond.htm Featured Artist: Harold "Tubby" Raymond ] ]

Quotes

"Football puts a premium on loyalty, dedication and sacrifice, which are characteristics that aid a player on the field and for the rest of his life." (circa 1998)

"Run em!" (the infamous command he gave before "gassers" each practice)

"Give me 7 of 'em!" (the dreaded line yelled out every day of pre-season camp indicating it was time for mixed agilities)

"People pay for weather like this!" (Referring to the hot and dry late August Delaware weather, Tub would often say this during summer camp)"Rack em"

External links

* [http://www.horseportraits.com/Tubby.html Portrait]
* [http://www.collegefootball.org/famersearch.php?id=70077 College Football Hall of Fame page]

ee also

*List of presidents of the American Football Coaches Association
* [http://www.bucksweep.com The unofficial Delaware wing-T Website]

References