L.R. Wood

L. Ray Wood began his lacrosse career at Forest Park (Md.) High School, where he played three years varsity from 1944-46. After serving with the U.S. Army in Japan, Wood attended Washington College in 1948. He joined a group of students interested in reviving lacrosse at Washington College, after the program was abandoned in 1934.

Under the volunteer direction and coaching of fellow Hall of Fame inductee Charley Clark, the lacrosse team was formed. One year later, the Shoremen went on to win the Middle Atlantic Conference Championship. They repeated as conference champions in 1950 and 1951. Wood led the nation in goals scored in 1949, setting a national record of 62 goals. He led the state of Maryland in scoring from 1948-51, setting a national record of 187 goals over those four years. In 1951, he earned first team All-American honors and was selected Washington College's most valuable player. He represented Washington College in the 1951 North/South Collegiate All-Star game, scoring three goals for the South.

In 1952, Wood founded and became the first president of the Washington College Alumni Lacrosse Club which sponsored activities to raise money for team equipment. He played for the Maryland Lacrosse Club in 1952 and the Mt. Washington Lacrosse Club in 1953 and 1954. In 1953, Wood married Joan Powell, the daughter of Edwin E. Powell, a fellow Hall of Fame Inductee.

Wood spent most of his professional career in the commercial property and casualty insurance business. Upon retirement in 1989, he and his wife moved to Hilton Head. In 1982, Wood was inducted into the Washington College Athletic Hall of Fame.

Ray Wood passed away in September 2017 at the age of 89.