Sam Lapray was a track and field athlete at Willamette and returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach for many years. Lapray coached 23 All-America performers, 45 Northwest Conference individual champions, and was part of 12 NWC team championships. This all happened while never taking a salary and donating back additional money for equipment, apparel, and team meals. Lapray was instrumental in the initial installation of turf and lights at Sparks Field in 2005. Lapray was a co-captain of the 1987 team that won the NWC and NAIA District titles, and that was inducted into the Willamette Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998. He was the NWC Champion in the 110-meter high hurdles in both 1986 and 1987. Lapray also played football and led the team in receptions his senior year.