Xavier University Athletics
Xavier Basketball Pioneer Ray Tomlin's Life to be Honored
04.28.17 | Men's Basketball, Athletic Department
Tomlin was the first African American basketball player in Xavier school history
CINCINNATI - Former Xavier men's basketball player Ray Tomlin, who broke barriers by becoming the first African American basketball player in school history, passed away on April 18, 2017. He was 83 years old.
Tomlin played his first games as a Musketeer on the freshman squad in 1954 after winning Ohio's Class B State Championship in 1952 with Lockland Wayne High School. Tomlin, a guard, joined the varsity team in 1955 playing for Xavier until 1957, appearing in 24 games during his senior campaign. After his senior season, Tomlin left XU to join the Army just 18 credits short of graduating.Â
After the Army, Tomlin worked for Procter & Gamble and Kenner before retiring from Equistar Chemicals in 2000. In 2006, nearly 50 years after leaving Xavier, Tomlin returned to campus to complete his degree, earning a bachelor's degree in liberal arts.
Tomlin was a resident of Forest Park, Ohio at the time of his passing. Information on the memorial service service and funeral can be found here.
Tomlin played his first games as a Musketeer on the freshman squad in 1954 after winning Ohio's Class B State Championship in 1952 with Lockland Wayne High School. Tomlin, a guard, joined the varsity team in 1955 playing for Xavier until 1957, appearing in 24 games during his senior campaign. After his senior season, Tomlin left XU to join the Army just 18 credits short of graduating.Â
After the Army, Tomlin worked for Procter & Gamble and Kenner before retiring from Equistar Chemicals in 2000. In 2006, nearly 50 years after leaving Xavier, Tomlin returned to campus to complete his degree, earning a bachelor's degree in liberal arts.
Tomlin was a resident of Forest Park, Ohio at the time of his passing. Information on the memorial service service and funeral can be found here.
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