![]()
Massachusetts Bay Community College has named Bill Raynor, the college’s athletic director and men’s basketball coach, as the keynote speaker for the College’s 53rd Commencement Exercises on May 21st
WELLESLEY HILLS (April 23, 2015) — Massachusetts Bay Community College has named Bill Raynor, the college’s athletic director and men’s basketball coach, as the keynote speaker for the College’s 53rd Commencement Exercises on May 21.
Raynor, who has served at the College for the past 10 years, has led the MassBay’s men’s basketball team to national wins, helping them earn the New England Region XXI championships in 2009, 2011, and 2013. He was also been named Coach of the Year for Region XXI and National District 8 in those same years.
In addition to coaching and overseeing the college’s recreation and wellness programs, Raynor founded the Young Men of Color program at MassBay, which aims to provide support and pathways to success for young male students of color. He also instituted an academic success program to increase retention and achievement among student athletes. In addition, Raynor also organizes the College’s leadership speaker series that invites inspiring guest speakers to help guide and offer advice to student campus leaders.
A member of the 2007 class of the New England Basketball Hall of Fame, Raynor previously served as the men’s basketball coach for the College of the Holy Cross and as the director of recreation, sports, and fitness for the city of Boston. Prior to his tenure at Holy Cross, Raynor spent eight years as an assistant at Brown University. He was a member of the coaching team that led Brown University to its first and to date, only Ivy League championship. Raynor was inducted into the Brown University Hall of Fame in 2007 for his contributions.
Raynor received his bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College, where he stands among all-time scoring leaders in the college’s history, and his master’s degree from Antioch College. A graduate of Catholic Memorial High School in Boston, he was inducted into the Catholic Memorial Hall of Fame for his stellar high school achievement. Raynor serves as the chair of the (NJCAA Region XXI) New England Basketball Coaches committee and is the Vice President of the Massachusetts Community College Athletic Association. Raynor also serves as a consultant to the Harare Basketball Association in Zimbabwe, organizing and conducting clinics for the development of both coaches and players.
Other Activities and Achievements of Note:
- Published poet. In 2014, he released his collection of sports poems, Poetry in Motion — The Meaning of Sports in Everyday Life. The books’ inspirational poems offer a unique perspective on sports and competition.
- Recipient of the Great Ideas at Work award by MassBay, which recognizes an employee whose idea has resulted in increased productivity, effectiveness and service to students, staff and the community.
- MassBay has also recognized Raynor twice awarding him the Spirit of MassBay award (2011 and 2014), which recognizes an individual that embodies the best of MassBay and reflects the pride and spirit of the college for his continued vigorous efforts.
MassBay Community College is a comprehensive, open-access college dedicated to student learning and achievement through academically rigorous courses and programs. MassBay awards associate degrees and certificates in more than 70 academic programs in the liberal arts and in career-driven fields, such as business, health sciences, and automotive technology. On the college’s three campuses in Wellesley Hills, Framingham, and Ashland, as well as online, MassBay offers day, evening, and weekend classes that meet the needs of degree-seeking students and career-minded life-long learners.
More information about MassBay and the upcoming academic semesters can be found at www.massbay.edu, or by calling (781) 239-2411.