(Class of 1986)
Ray Burris, a Bakersfield native, had his earliest athletic successes at Castle Elementary, where he competed in football, basketball and track. Even in those formative days, Ray was a fierce competitor, refusing to lose in any contest, from a casual game of H-O-R-S-E to a league championship, Burris demanded perfection of himself and his teammates. Ray came from an athletic family; his older brother Wayne, was a WHS basketball player, when Ray was in elementary school. The Burris family lived across the street from the Actis Junior High basketball courts and it was common to see Wayne working on his shots and dunks, while Ray shagged and passed the ball to Wayne, on catch-and-shoot drills. Gifted with excellent speed and incredible “wiggle” (lateral movement with loose, shifty hips), Ray was an elusive running back in elementary, an “ankle breaker” at guard in basketball and had great control in his baseball pitching and hitting.
As Ray matured, he became known throughout Bakersfield, as an elite athlete. He was named MVP in 7th and 8th grade basketball county-wide tournaments, playing for Actis Jr. High. Competing in the JBA (Junior Baseball Association), he flashed a wicked curve ball and blazing fast ball. In the offseason, before “club” sports were “pay to play” and very selective, Burris played for the Bakersfield Jaguars – a city all-star-like-team.
As he entered high school his athleticism and competitiveness were quickly recognized and he jumped to the varsity squads in football and basketball, as an underclassman, at a time when West was loaded with athletes. A two-way starter in football, his first love, he was a tremendous threat at receiver with his sure hands, quickness, and willingness to catch the ball in the middle, and he was a hard-hitting, lock-down, defensive back. He also was a backup and situational quarterback. During his senior year, near the end of the football season, Ray suffered a serious knee injury. Undeterred, Burris rehabilitated his knee and despite the setback, and playing only half the basketball schedule, he earned All-Area honors, All-League recognition, and MVP of the SYL League, and ultimately a full ride athletic scholarship at CSUB.
On the court, Burris was a dogged defender; he frustrated guards across the SYL with steals, ball stopping quickness and gave “ball swinging” offenses fits with his ability to jump a passing lane and get a steal and bucket. Ray was selfless on offense, often leading his teams and leagues in assists and always willing to pass the ball, but he never turned down an open shot; he had great confidence in himself and it was well deserved. Shooting, dribbling, working moves, from after school until the light was too low to see the rim anymore, from fourth grade onward, Burris would perfect his game, and when his moments came, in elementary, high school and finally in college, he instinctively trusted himself to have the move, and make the shot.
Always clutch, Burris still holds the CSUB record for most free throws made in a single game: 15. He’s also still in CSUB’s record books for points (1151), steals (130) and assists (342). Ray’s discipline and intensity helped make CSUB’s Pat Douglass decade of excellence possible. Ray was a cornerstone and linchpin in the rebuilding of culture and expectations for Cal State Bakersfield’s men’s basketball. Often in sports, the catalyst that created the change and affected the momentum and direction of a program, retires or graduates, before the pinnacle of success actually comes. That was the case when shortly after Ray’s 119 games played (from 1986-1991) laid the foundation and turnaround that brought CSUB national championships in ‘93 and 94’.
After CSUB, Burris developed a career as a quality inspector, for a major oil company, where he has worked for many years. In addition to his professional career, he has charitably dedicated over 20 years as a volunteer with the Southwest Baseball Association.
Ray and his wife Trish, together have six children – five daughters and one son – ranging in age from 25 to 35. They are also proud grandparents of five grandchildren, four girls and one boy, with another grandson on the way.
Ray comes from a family of eight children himself. Although his father has passed, his mom, Melvina Burris along with his three siblings, Rose, Charlesetta and Debbie still reside in Bakersfield.
Ray is proud of his days as an athlete, but above all, he enjoys being a provider, a husband, a father and a grandfather.
