Meet Marc Ray, the newest face covering high school sports for IndyStar—and he brings a whole lot of Texas energy with him. Born and raised in Houston, Marc is the oldest of five siblings and a proud first-generation college graduate. After graduating from Aldine MacArthur High School in 2018, he earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Houston in 2022. Initially drawn to a career as a sports commentator, Marc quickly discovered his true passion for journalism once he stepped onto the UH campus. "Being a writing wizard and telling the stories of local athletes resonated more with me," he says.

During college, Marc honed his skills with CoogTV, a student-led newsroom, working both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. He also created his own content, covering major events like the Vanessa Guillen and George Floyd protests—experiences that built his versatility and resilience in the journalism game. Those efforts earned him internships with Houston Public Media, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), and the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ).

After graduation, Marc landed his first professional journalism gig at the Iowa City Press-Citizen. That meant a 16-hour drive to the Midwest and adjusting to snowy conditions—something he admits was a rookie experience. Over the next 2.5 years in Iowa, he became the lead reporter for the Iowa girls state volleyball tournament and helped cover college sports, including March Madness, for the Des Moines Register. He also achieved a dream by covering a UFC event when the MMA organization held its first-ever event in Des Moines in 2025. His features were shared across MMA Junkie and USA Today's social platforms.

Now, as of April 2026, Marc has joined the IndyStar team and is already diving deep into the high school sports scene. "I'm honored to work alongside a talented team in a certified sports town," he says. A former high school athlete who ran track and played football, Marc is passionate about feature writing that goes beyond box scores. "I value stories that highlight people as much as results," he explains, and he's eager to connect with players, parents, and coaches to share narratives that truly resonate with readers.

A proud member of the NAHJ Sports Task Force, Marc hopes to one day mentor aspiring journalists. For now, he's locked in on improving, learning, and bringing the best of Indiana high school sports to life—one story at a time.