Emporia State University Athletics

James Fraley played fullback on the Emporia State University football teams from 1932-35.  Following his junior and senior seasons, he was named to the all-state and all-conference teams.  In 1935, he was selected to the Associated Press Little all-America team.  Following his ESU career, Fraley played one season with the New York Giants.  He went on to a distinguished coaching career at the high school level in New York.  His track and cross country teams won four state championships and more than 20 conference and regional titles.  At one point during his coaching stint, his cross country teams won 76 consecutive cross country meets--a national record.  Although Fraley coached many outstanding prep athletes, two of his best known are Al Oerter, a four-time Olympic gold medalist in the discus, and John Camien, a perennial NAIA cross country and track champion at ESU.  Fraley earned track letters at ESU in 1934 and ’35 and was named an Emporia State University Distinguished Alumnus in 1977.