Ray Cooney
Ray Cooney was elected president of The Graphic Printing Company in December 2023. He became publisher of The Commercial Review on July 1, 2020, while retaining the title of editor he has held since Dec. 1, 2014. He served managing editor from July 2013 through November 2014, assistant managing editor from November 2005 through July 2013 and sports editor from March 2001 through July 2013.
He earned the most awards of any journalist in Division III in the Hoosier State Press Association Better Newspaper Contest for four consecutive years from 2013 through 2016. His first-place honors this year were for in-depth feature, sports feature, general news photo and video.
In his career he has also won HSPA awards for sports commentary, editorial writing, use of graphics, community service, news writing under deadline pressure, sports action photo, sports feature photo, headline writing, editorial page, profile feature and multiple picture group. He had picked up nine Indiana Associated Press Media Editors awards earlier in the year, including first place for business writing, non-deadline sports story and headline writing.
Cooney was honored with the Indiana High School Athletic Association Distinguished Media Service Award in 2012, and also received the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Outstanding Baseball Media Award in 2009.
A native of Avon, Ohio, Cooney graduated from St. Edward High School (Lakewood, Ohio) in 1996 and Cleveland State University in 2000. He was the inaugural editor of The Cleveland Stater at CSU, and also worked for The Morning Journal (Lorain, Ohio) and The Chronicle-Telegram (Elyria, Ohio) before moving to Jay County.
Cooney lives in Portland with his dog, Scooter.
SPORTS
Patriots throttle Central
Muncie Central made plenty of mistakes. The Patriots took advantage of most of them.
JAY COUNTY
No comeback for JC
After giving up a comeback in their season opener, the Patriots had a chance to mount one of their own in their first home game. They just couldn’t get the hits they needed to break through.
JAY COUNTY
Starfire stunner
BERNE — The Starfires hope their effort in the season opener is an indication of what they can accomplish this year. The Patriots just want to forget it as soon as possible.
SPORTS
Starfires seek to build off of streak
A midseason slump last season left the Starfires below .500 with a 9-10 record in early May. They didn’t lose again until the sectional championship game.
JAY COUNTY
Jay invited to ACAC
After looking for a conference for more than a decade, the Patriots have two invitations on the table.
JAY COUNTY
Patriot boys look to build depth
The Patriots finished in third place in the sectional a year ago while Muncie Central and Delta shared the championship. They did so by scoring nearly half of their points in just three events.
JAY COUNTY
Ludy to stay put in Florida
CLEARWATER, Fla. — When the Phillies camp breaks today, players from the organization will disperse to Philadelphia, Allenton, Reading and Williamsport in Pennsylvania as well as Lakewood, N.J.
JAY COUNTY
JC netters in building mode
The 2012 season saw the Patriots take a step in the right direction. They’ll have to try to do so again this year with a team nearly void of varsity experience.
FORT RECOVERY
Half of Tribe roster is freshmen
Twelve athletes saw significant varsity playing time last season. There won’t be a chance for the Indians to get many more players than that on the field this season.
SPORTS
A perfect evening
Joellen White keeps glancing at her left ring finger. She just can’t help it.
SPORTS
Indians roll
ST. MARYS, Ohio — The first quarter was sloppy for both teams. But the Indians’ defense couldn’t have been any better in the second.
SPORTS
JCHS girls stay unbeaten
One of the Patriots’ leading swimmers was in Texas, preparing to swim at a national meet. Another was home sick. It didn’t matter.
NEWS
Truly thankful
On Thursday the Schwietermans will gather to celebrate Thanksgiving. Like many families, it’s tradition to go around the table taking turns saying what they are thankful for.
JAY COUNTY
Falcons top Jay
The Patriots kept surging back. But they were never able to escape chase position.
RAYS OF INSIGHT
Sammy's bravery goes only so far
I’d say Sammy’s bark is worse than his bite, but it’s hard to tell. He rarely barks.
FORT RECOVERY
Tribe opens Friday
For the second time in four seasons, the Indians boast the returning Midwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year.
SPORTS
Jay girls roll to 4-0
BLUFFTON — Sophie Bader dominated a defending sectional champion, Katy Smeltzer came roaring back to secure a relay win and the Patriots kept their undefeated season rolling.
SOUTH ADAMS
State coaches rank Stars 2nd
The IHSAA will no longer hold the team state tournament beginning this season.
SPORTS
Small Starfire team seeking big success
As practice began, Janelle Gresla had the same concern about both of her teams.Her swimmers are small in number.
NEWS
BSU web sites aid in transition
As more and more of the Baby Boomer population reaches retirement, more and more people face the challenges that come with aging.
JAY COUNTY
Keen, Lykins key returners
A year ago the Patriots were coming off of a 6-9 season with just two swimmers who had experience swimming in a sectional championship or consolation race. Coach Barry Weaver didn’t know what to expect.
FORT RECOVERY
Hull and Gray to lead Fort
Fort Recovery’s swim teams are in very different stages.
JAY COUNTY
Trying a new direction
When another athletics director calls Bob Lutton to schedule a game, he doesn’t spin around in his chair to pull up an Excel spreadsheet on his computer.
FORT RECOVERY
Indians short on experience
The 2011 state final four doesn’t seem like it was all that long ago.
SPORTS
Patriots blast Ole Miss
The Patriots looked out of sorts as they turned the ball over on four of their first five possessions. But when they started attacking the basket, Mississinewa had no chance.
BUSINESS
Residential service is CFS goal
The timetable and price structure are uncertain. But Mark Clemens’ goal is clear.
SPORTS
IU caps sports weekend
The extended Thanksgiving weekend is always a big one for those of us who love sports.
JAY COUNTY
Patriots dominant vs. AC
There was no danger of the Patriots suffering their first defeat. They had enough points to win the meet in the first four events.
SOUTH ADAMS
Farlow to lead Starfires
There won’t be a lot of Starfires in the pool. But Janelle Gresla has some quality swimmers.
FAMILY
Bennett entering new phase
Having time to visit her grandchild whenever she wants. The ability to sit down and read a good book at night without falling asleep. Being ready for Santa.
SPORTS
Colts are in control
College basketball season is underway. The Los Angeles Lakers fired their coach after five games. And the Indianapolis Colts are in playoff position.
SPORTS
JC wants more state success
It’s hard to imagine Jay County generating any more excitement at the state finals than Eric Hemmelgarn stirred up last season. But with Kyle Garringer and Hemmelgarn back to lead the Patriots, another big day at Bankers Life Fieldhouse is well within the realm of possibility.
SOUTH ADAMS
Record opening win
OSSIAN — Before competing at the state meet during her senior season, Cori Vormohr talked about what it felt like to have her name plastered all over the Jay County High School record board.
SPORTS
Colts drop out of top 10
The Indianapolis Colts dropped out of CR sports editor Ray Cooney's top 10 NFL rankings after loss to New England.
JAY COUNTY
Jay Co. has big goals
It’s said that anything is possible. That’s true. But realistic is a different story.
RAYS OF INSIGHT
Patriots primed for big winter
The winter season should be a lot of fun for Jay County.
JAY COUNTY
Senior-less JC opens Tuesday
Teams often rely on senior leadership. The Patriots don’t have any.
SPORTS
Patriots fall in semifinal
FORT WAYNE — Early deficits in each of the first two games were too much for the Patriots to overcome.
SPORTS
Determined win
COLDWATER, Ohio — Cassidy Rammel’s serve caught the top of the net. The ball crept over and, before any Wildcat was able to react, fell to the floor.
SPORTS
Bears move up to No. 3
Chicago Bears move up another spot in The CR top 10 after topping Detroit on Monday night.
SPORTS
Fort falls short of state berth
TIFFIN, Ohio — Heartbreaking. The battle for the final state berth was so close that Indian runners, coaches and parents had to wait about a half hour after the race to learn their fate.
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