Amidst activities during Alumni Weekend, Columbus Academy inducted Ray Jones ’04 and Alexander Garcia ’93 into its Athletic Hall of Fame on October 4.
“We have this chance to celebrate more than just the athleticism,” Ray stated during his acceptance speech in the school’s dining hall. “We have the chance to celebrate all the intangibles – all the soft skills – and so when my son and when others see these plaques on the Hall of Fame, I hope they understand that it’s more than just the speed, the strength and the skill in sport that achieved those results. It’s the teamwork, it’s the relationship-building, it’s the decision-making… those intangibles are what makes it all happen.”
Ray earned eight varsity letters in football, basketball and track & field during his time at Academy. In football, he was a three-time all-conference and Dispatch Agonis Club selection as well as a two-time all-district pick. As a team captain his senior year, Ray helped lead Academy to the 2003 state championship and was awarded first team all-state honors, team MVP and named a top-20 player in Ohio by the Touchdown Club of Columbus after rushing for more than 1,400 yards and scoring 30 touchdowns. In track, he was a two-time all-state performer, regional champion in the 400 meters, all-conference finisher as the team MVP following his sophomore and junior years, and contributed to the program’s district title in 2003. Ray was also a member of the varsity basketball team in 2002. After receiving 32 scholarship offers from Division I schools, Ray chose to continue his football career at Stanford University, where he earned three letters and played in 14 games primarily as a running back and kick returner.
In the introduction of his former classmate and teammate, Guy Hammond ’04 recalled an example of Ray’s competitive spirit: “I remember we beat Bexley by 20-some points but when we came off the field Ray was crying – well, not really crying but he had some tears – and I said what’s wrong, we just beat our rivals, and he said we should have beat them by more.”
Guy also highlighted how he admires the risk-taking Ray has displayed during his entrepreneurial career as well as his personal growth as a father. “Ray’s very thoughtful and kind, and seeing him as a dad is pretty special,” Guy said. “That’s what I remember beyond his athletic career.”
According to Kelly Hondros ’06, president of Academy’s Alumni Board, Ray and Alexander represented the 51st and 52nd inductees into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
“Zander, with deepest joy, I congratulate you on your induction into the Columbus Academy Athletic Hall of Fame,” said Craig Tann ’92 during the introduction of his childhood best friend. “Your scholastic wrestling achievements shine bright, and through your tireless devotion to coaching, you embody a spirit forever In Quest of the Best not only within yourself but in all whose lives you’ve touched.”
Alexander was a four-year letterwinner and a state champion in wrestling at Columbus Academy. He placed four times at the Division III state meet including an undefeated (35-0) state title at 130 pounds in 1993 after reaching the podium three times at 125lbs: state runner-up in 1991, third in 1992 and sixth in 1990. Alexander also was a three-time district champion (1991, 1992, 1993), and during the 1990-91 season helped Academy’s wrestling program win its first league title in nearly 20 years. He went on to wrestle for the United States Naval Academy where he was a three-year letterwinner and two-time Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association placer by taking third in 1997 and fifth in 1996. Alexander served in the Navy until 2000, founded the Bexley Youth Wrestling Team in 2011 and coached his son Marius to an undefeated (51-0) Division II state title at 106lbs in 2024.
“I love wrestling, as you just heard,” Alexander stated during his acceptance speech. “In fact, I think I love it more than anything else… I coach it now, and I love it even more. Wrestling gives to you what you give to it.”
In addition to his coaches and teammates, Alexander acknowledged his seventh grade English teacher and the 13 “incredible, courageous, brilliant girls” from his class who were the first females to graduate from Academy.