When Ralph Obray came into Casper on Monday night, the first thing he noticed was the fire burning on the west end of Casper Mountain.

On Tuesday, when he started as the activities director at Kelly Walsh, Obray was more or less thrown into the Trojans' own fire.

Obray had less than a day to start managing the Trojans' athletic teams, which have bounced across the region this week looking for a smoke-free place to workout.

"I knew coming in, everything was going full swing, except for kids in the building," Obray said Thursday after his formal introduction as KW's new AD. "I expected it to be hectic."

Just not like this. However, Obray has not wasted time easing into his new position; he's been on the phone and shaking hands as often as a politician running for office. So far, he hasn't been disappointed.

"It's been a big load off my shoulders to have that kind of support," Obray said.

Obray replaces long-time coach and activities director Gary Johnson, who retired at the end of the 2006 school year.

KW Principal Brad Diller said Obray was impressive in the interview process.

"His references spoke highly of him," Diller said. "We're confident he's going to do a good job for us."

A native of Pocatello, Idaho, Obray played football, basketball and baseball in high school. He was recruited to BYU to play football but found more success on the baseball field after a neck injury cut his football career short. He played first base, third base, pitcher and designated hitter for the Cougars from 1989-94.

"(I) learned more out of the athletic participation and teams than I did at school," Obray said.

After college, Obray spent time teaching and coaching at Mackay and Butte County high schools in eastern Idaho before moving to Elko, Nev., two years ago.

In Elko, Obray coached baseball, football and basketball. In fact, he turned down the job as head baseball coach at Elko to take the AD job at Kelly Walsh.

"Ever since I had the athletic director job at the small school in Idaho, I've wanted this job at a bigger school," Obray said.

Contact high school sports coordinator Patrick Schmiedt at (307) 266-0615 or patrick.schmiedt@casperstartribune.net

More about Obray online at:

www.casperstartribune.net/goulash