A broad smile spread across the face of Ray Brayboy as he accepted a glass-encased plaque, proudly displaying his newly retired Pembroke State College baseball jersey — a symbol of a legacy decades in the making.
Standing before a room filled with family, friends and former teammates, he gently traced the edge of the frame, his eyes welling with tears as memories of the past came rushing back.
“It’s unbelievably humbling,” Brayboy said. “I want to thank you, individually, from the bottom of my heart, for all the love I feel for my family and me. When we started this process two years ago, I had no earthly idea that we would generate the support that we did.”
Widely regarded as one of the most accomplished hitters in UNC Pembroke baseball history, Brayboy was a key figure behind the team’s remarkable success during one of its most dominant eras.
The Pembroke native hit near .330 in his career from 1965 to 1969, posting an astounding .390 batting average his senior season. He was a two-time All-American, inducted into UNCP’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1984, and played briefly for the Minnesota Twins organization upon graduation.
Brayboy became the only fifth UNCP baseball player to have his jersey retired. Athletics Director Dick Christy remarked that earning a spot in the Hall of Fame is a rare honor for any former player, but having your jersey retired is an even more extraordinary tribute reserved for those whose impact on the game is truly unforgettable.
Ԩou’re talking about 3% of 3% — fractional, minuscule, unbelievable accomplishments that fit the uniqueness of your skill set, Ray – congratulations!” Christy said.
Brayboy’s iconic No. 13 jersey will take its rightful place among UNC Pembroke’s legends, permanently enshrined alongside other retired jerseys at the newly renovated Sammy Cox Field.
During Saturday’s ceremony, Christy joined a heartfelt procession of family members and teammates, like Preston Douglas and Ronnie Chavis, who praised Brayboy for his remarkable career and legacy. Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings and fellow UNCP Hall of Famer Kelvin Sampson shared congratulatory remarks via pre-recorded video messages.
“Ray’s journey is one of excellence, perseverance and leadership,” Cummings said. “He has inspired countless individuals throughout his life, serving as a role model for future generations of student-athletes, particularly those from American Indian communities.
“Ray, your legacy is a vital part of our university's story. On behalf of BraveNation, congratulations on this milestone achievement,” Cummings added.
Preston Douglas called Brayboy one of the best hitters in program history. “Aside from Mike Carruthers, he might be the best hitter. Ray is very deserving of this honor. He was a positive role model and a leader on the team,” said Douglas, who became emotional while recalling memories of their playing days together.
The ceremony was historical in that Brayboy, 78, became the first Lumbee to have his jersey retired. Tribal Chairman John Lowery was on hand to present Brayboy with an eagle feather, one of the highest honors a person can receive in many American Indian cultures.
“One thing about Lumbee men –– we’re always taught to impact the next seven generations, and Ray has done that tremendously from a baseball standpoint and what he has done through education,” said John Oxendine, a member of the Lumbee Tribe Culture Team.
A 1969 graduate, Dr. Brayboy later earned degrees from the University of North Carolina and Penn State before embarking on an illustrious career in education, serving as superintendent of Bladen, Wayne and Marlboro counties.
Also, during the ceremony, the Brayboy family announced the establishment of the Dr. L. Ray Brayboy Baseball Endowed Scholarship. The family established a similar scholarship in honor of Ray’s wife, Bea, in 2014.
“Students often face significant financial barriers, and endowed scholarships like these give them a chance to pursue their academic dreams and build brighter futures,” said Anita Stallings, vice chancellor for Advancement. “Dr. Brayboy, it is your family’s dedication to investing in our students’ futures that will ensure other ways that your legacy will continue to inspire and shape generations to come.”
Shannon Brayboy, the oldest of Brayboy’s three children, said her father’s legacy is far more than the statistics on a scoreboard –– it’s in the lives of the people he touched.
“Daddy built a tradition –– one of high expectations and resilience, faithfulness and an unshakable belief in the power of hard work and family,” Shannon Brayboy said. “Through this scholarship, that tradition will live on, supporting student-athletes who will walk the same campus and play on the same field where he made history.”
