RAY HAHN
1897-1923
Inducted – 2005

Known for his sportsmanship and an emphasis on the balance between formal education and athletics, Ray Dreyer Hahn of Clay Center was one of the most respected coaches ever to walk the court and sidelines in Kansas. Born and raised in Clay Center, Hahn later attended Kansas State Agricultural College (now Kansas State) where he distinguished himself in football, basketball and track. He was the captain of the 1922 Aggies football team and was named to the Grantland Rice All-American team as a lineman. Hahn began his coaching career at Norton High School in 1923 and also coached at Downer’s Grove, Ill., Nebraska Teachers College of Chadron and South Dakota School of Mines until 1936. He came to Bethany College in 1938 and spent all but three of the next 36 years in Lindsborg as a basketball, football and tennis coach. He took a leave of absence (1943-45) during World War II to teach at Leavenworth. In 1961, the new 1,500-seat Bethany College gymnasium was named the Hahn Physical Education Building in his honor. Hahn was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1966, 20 years after being one of the founding members of the NAIB, the predecessor to the NAIA. Hahn retired from coaching at Bethany College in 1974 after guiding the Swedes to 11 consecutive tennis championships and also won over 60 percent of his football and basketball games. Born November 19, 1897 – Clay Center, Kansas. Died November 8, 1989 – Lindsborg, Kansas. Graduated – Clay Center High School, 1917; Kansas State Agricultural College, 1923.