Beloved Keansburg coach who died in 2024 honored with 5K, scholarship
Keansburg coaching legend Ray Coleman, who won state titles in two sports, is having a 5K fundraiser and a scholarship launched in his honor.
Ray Coleman, a beloved Keansburg High School coach, delivered poignant devotion to his athletes, as his passing in 2024 demonstrates. Before his time as a coach, he drove a 1970s Volkswagen Bus, which became his mobile training platform for the Keansburg Titans cross country team. When the school lacked a bus for practice, Coleman personally transported the team to Holmdel Park, where significant state competitions were held.
"He would pick up all of his runners," said his son-in-law, Mike Schmidt, emphasizing Coleman's unwavering support for his students, regardless of their parents' ability to drive them. Coleman's dedication reaped tangible rewards, as he led Keansburg to sectional titles and ultimately won the NJSIAA Group 1 state title in both cross country and boys bowling.
Tara Maguire, current Keansburg cross country coach, echoed this sentiment, highlighting Coleman's uncanny ability to unearth the "scrappiest kids" and lead them to victory. Coleman's impact extended beyond the sports field, as he also coached basketball, served as athletic director, and instructed science for more than four decades.
His death in December 2024, at the age of 75, from a heart ailment, was attributed to a life dedicated to nurturing young talents. In Coleman's memory, the Keansburg High School Booster Club inaugurated the Ray Coleman Memorial 5K on September 20, 2025, with proceeds intended to augment the scholarships awarded to graduating seniors.
Moreover, a Ray Coleman Scholarship was established to recognize one senior from each boys and girls cross country team. As of August 24, 2025, limited spots remained in the 5K race, priced at $35 per participant. A 1-mile family fun run, priced at $25, was also available. The event boasted additional attractions such as a food truck, iced-coffee truck, ice cream truck, DJ, automatic race timer, and a tricky-tray auction.
The organizers aimed to transform the event into an annual occurrence, with the scholarship fund similarly growing each year. Maguire emphasized that many students in Keansburg hail from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and financial aid would significantly benefit their academic and career pursuits. Schmidt expressed his heartfelt intent to honor Coleman's legacy and raise funds for the school he cherished.
For information on the race, sign-up, or donations, visit www.runsignup.com/Race/NJ/Lincroft/RayColemanMemorial5K.
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