Draft:Tex Colvin

Tex Colvin : George Ray Colvin, Sr.(1911-1980)

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At West Texas Teachers College, in the 1930's basketball player and Amateur Athletic Union star. Tex Colvin excelled. In his youth (at Turkey, Texas) Colvin played fullback and was captain on three undefeated Turkey football teams. In track, he competed in the 880, mile relay, high jump, and broad jump. Colvin went to state in the 880 as a junior and senior. After playing freshman football at West Texas Teachers College in Canyon, TX, the 6’4”, 190-pound Colvin concentrated on basketball. He was named All-Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Conference forward in 1933. During his first two seasons, the Buffs finished 20-3 and 20-4.

Colvin, known as Tex Colvin, played for AAU teams the next two years, then returned to WT to lead the Buffs to a 19-6 record in 1935-36, earning All-American honors. During his college career he played on the same team as the 1936 Olympian, Joe Fortenberry of Happy, Texas. His college career was over by the spring of thirty-six.

Out of college he was recruited to play on the Denver Safeway Stores team in Colorado. In 1936-37 he and Ace Gruenig led the team to the national AAU championship. He and Gruenig were awarded All-AAU honors, at the end of the games. A photo of George Ray in his fancy warm-ups, from this tournament still exists. By this time he was near 6 foot six, and 200 solid pounds. Other AAU teams he played with had included a team that his college teammates, Joe Fortenberry and Bob Clark, had also played on. This was the Ogden Boosters of Utah. Before Colvin's career in basketball ended he had also played for a famous AAU team sponsored by a Creamery or Dairy in Kansas.

He had married Ella Geissler of Turkey and his only son, George Ray, Jr. had been born in 1936, during the time he started the main part of his semi-pro career in the AAU. So, perhaps he retired by age thirty because he grew tired of traveling and being away from home. After retiring from playing with several AAU teams, Colvin then became a teacher and coach in his hometown of Turkey. His last job was being Principal of nearby Quitaque High School. His son stated that George Ray had been invited to play with Joe Fortenberry and the USA team in the 1936 Olympics, but he had declined because he thought it would involve flying across the Atlantic. He later learned the team traveled by ship. He was satisfied with all he had accomplished anyway. He loved the game so much, he played on “local outsider” teams until he was 55 years old. During these games, he often delighted the crowd by hitting an old-time hook or 'bucket shot'. Seldom did he miss!

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