Ray Herring Jr. Outstanding Two-Way Player at Holy Trinity, Former Notre Dame Football Player Featured in ‘Sit Down w/ Steve’

SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAMER

ABOVE VIDEO: Space Coast Sports Hall of Farmer Ray Herring Jr. talks with Steve Wilson in the latest edition of “Sit Down with Steve.” Herring talks with Wilson about his alma mater’s Holy Trinity and the University of Norte, his time spent at Florida Tech, his father Ray Herring, Sr., and much more in this Space Coast Daily TV exclusive interview.

ABOVE VIDEO: Ray Herring, Jr – 2017 Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame

2017 PREP INDUCTEE

HOLY TRINITY GRADUATE

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – If you had to select one individual to portray the values and character of what is expected of a successful student athlete, Ray Herring Jr. is the face for that poster.

“Start here and go anywhere” is Holy Trinity’s motto, and Ray Herring Jr., who attended high school there from 2001 through 2004, took the motto very seriously.

Playing for the Tigers and head coach John Thomas, Herring was indeed here, there and everywhere on the football field. His commitment to help his team win shined from the opening kickoff to the final gun.

Herring starred as a defensive back, running back and wide receiver during his days as a Tiger and was named a first-team all-state selection four times.

He was a big part of the Holy Trinity teams that lost just 8 regular season games in four seasons, including a 17-1 combined record in his final two years – and Herring amassed amazing numbers playing on both sides of the ball.

He finished his career at Holy Trinity with 401 tackles and his 25 interceptions on defense which are still a school record.

Herring was even more impressive with the ball in his hands as he hauled in 85 passes for 2,063 yards. Herring averaged 24 yards per catch and scored 29 touchdowns.

During his final two years, he also carried the ball 74 times for nearly 700 more yards hitting pay dirt four additional times. He scored 314 points for the Tigers in his career.

Herring, a stellar all-around athlete, was also a valued member of the of the track and basketball teams at Holy Trinity. His athletic ability, character and GPA made him one of the most recruited athletes in east central Florida.

His college decision was tough. Florida, Ohio State, Miami and his eventual choice, Notre Dame, all wanted Herring to attend their school.

Herring appeared in 50 games for the Fighting Irish and always found a way to contribute as a valuable member of the team. Consistently willing to do what was needed, he played on special teams and in select defensive packages where he made 471 appearances, totaling 43 tackles for the Irish, with 24 solo stops during his career.

He graduated from academically demanding Notre Dame with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and computer applications and did so with a 3.2 combined GPA.

BUILDING A LEGACY

After graduation, Herring returned to Brevard County where he reunited with his old high school coach, John Thomas, but this time at Florida Tech. As a graduate assistant and a recruiting coordinator, Herring was instrumental in helping another member of this year’s induction class, Steve Englehart, recruit the first-ever class for the Panthers fledgling football program.

Herring has worked his way up the ranks at Florida Tech and is now the Athletic Academic Success Coordinator and Special Assistant to Athletic Director Bill Jurgens.

Ray’s dad, Herring Sr., was also a defensive back and was also on his way to playing big time college football when he was tragically paralyzed on the field playing for the Palm Bay Pirates in 1977.

He passed away in March of 2016 but even being disabled left a legacy tough for any son to live up to. Herring Sr. helped those with similar circumstances and worked with the Space Coast Center for Independent Living, which assists people with disabilities.

Aside from his mom, Valeri Herring, whom Ray worships, the man that knows him best would be Coach Thomas.

Commenting on Ray’s future, Thomas said, “Ray’s accomplishments so far speak for themselves, and he is well on his way to establishing his own legacy as a great example and mentor for prospective student-athletes.”

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE MEMBERS OF THE SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME

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