Ray Pedersen (2016) - Hall of Fame

Ray Pedersen

Induction:
2016
Class:
1968

Ray Pedersen
Football, 1964-1967

Ray Pedersen enrolled at the University of Northern Iowa (then called State College of Iowa) in the fall of 1964.

During Pedersen’s four years as a football player on the Panther squad (1964-1967), he quickly excelled as a strong dominate lineman on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Pedersen became the last player in Northern Iowa football history to start and play on both the offensive and defensive platoons.

For three straight years, because of Pedersen’s brilliant performance on the field, he was selected as a three-time first-team all-North Central Conference performer.

At his defensive end position, Pedersen was like a raging bull, stuffing any lineman or running back that dared to enter his territory. With quickness and tenacity, Pedersen could rush down any quarterback that attempted a forward pass.

At his offensive guard position, Pedersen was a relentless powerful blocker, opening the way for Panther running backs to gain substantial yardage. As co-captain during the 1967 campaign, Pedersen helped lead the team to a strong second-place finish in the North Central Conference – with the only loss coming in a 10-9 defeat to North Dakota State.

At the close of his senior year, Pedersen was chosen as the most valuable defensive player in the North Central Conference. Pedersen also received the honor of being selected as an Associated Press first-team all-America defensive lineman.

Former UNI head coach Stan Sheriff used to fearlessly identify Pedersen as “the best lineman I have ever coached.”

Pedersen is retired and he and his wife, Trish, reside in Torrance, Calif. His daughter, Elizabeth Gibson, and her husband, Nate, have two daughters (Mykah and Willow) and they live in Redondo Beach, Calif. His daughter, Bonnie Joubert, and her husband, J.P., have two daughters (Elana and Esme) and they live in Durham, N.C. His son, Robert, resides in Houston, Texas.