S2 Ep 18 - 5 feet 24 inches by Roman 'Ray' Muller

On the next episode of Survive & Thrive 8791, I welcome Roman “Ray” Muller to the Buck & Honey’s remote studios. Ray Muller was a towering presence in Wisconsin high school basketball during the 1984–85 season, leaving a legacy that still resonates in the Wisconsin Dells community. A 7-foot center for the Wisconsin Dells Chiefs, Ray dominated both ends of the court, leading his team to an impressive 21–3 record. Averaging more than 21 points per game and pulling down double-digit rebounds, he quickly established himself as one of the most formidable players in the state. His standout season earned him multiple All-State honors and opened the door to collegiate basketball opportunities.Ray began his college career at Marquette University in Milwaukee, but a coaching change led him to reassess his path. Determined to continue developing his game and pursue another Division I opportunity, he transferred to Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa. There, Ray honed his skills and showcased his potential, which ultimately caught the attention of Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Accepting a scholarship, Ray would go on to be part of the 1990 Ball State Cardinals team that finished the season 26–7 and made a memorable run to the NCAA Sweet 16—a team later inducted into the Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012.In this episode, Ray also reflects on the profound impact of his high school basketball coach, Jack Capelle. Coach Capelle’s belief in Ray went beyond the gym, installing a basketball hoop at the Muller family hotel and setting daily challenges—like touching the rim 30 times a day—that fueled Ray’s work ethic and growth. Those early lessons helped shape Ray into one of the greatest basketball players in Wisconsin Dells history.Today, Ray and his family reside in Indiana, but with retirement on the horizon, he and his wife hope to one day return to the Wisconsin Dells, where his remarkable journey first began.