Release courtesy of Jack Watford, WBCA Director of Communications
ATLANTA – Sue Ramsey, head coach of the Ashland University Eagles, is the winner of the 2012 Carol Eckman Award, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) announced today.
The Carol Eckman Award is presented annually to an active WBCA
coach who exemplifies Eckman’s spirit, integrity and
character through sportsmanship, commitment to the student-athlete,
honesty, ethical behavior, courage and dedication to purpose. The
award is named in honor of the late Carol Eckman, the former West
Chester State College coach who is considered the “Mother of
the Women’s Collegiate Basketball Championship.” Eckman
organized the first women’s basketball championship at West
Chester in 1969 and continued to garner recognition and support for
the women’s game until her death from cancer in 1985.
“It is a pleasure to present Sue Ramsey with the Carol
Eckman Award,” said WBCA CEO Beth Bass. “Your
commitment to sportsmanship, honesty, ethical behavior and most
importantly, your student-athletes has not gone
unnoticed.”
Ramsey has been at the helm of the Ashland women’s
basketball program for 17 seasons. She boasts an overall record of
379-197 and twice led the Eagles to NCAA Division II postseason
play, both of which are bests in Ashland’s women’s
basketball coaching history. Under Ramsey, Ashland has recorded
four 20-win seasons, including a 28-1 mark – and spotless
19-0 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference record –
during 2012.
In addition to leading her teams to success on the court, Ramsey
has made a habit of guiding her student-athletes to a similar
outcome off the court. In 2011, Ramsey was honored by the
Fellowship of Christian Athletes as the recipient of the Kay Yow
Heart of a Champion award, and from 2007-2010, the Eagles were
ranked among the nation’s top 20 institutions for highest
cumulative grade-point average.
Ramsey was the first woman to receive a basketball scholarship at
Indiana University, were she was a three-year letter winner
(1974-77). Ramsey completed her playing career at Miami of Ohio
(1978) where she also earned a degree in physical education. After
completing her master’s degree in educational administration
at Dayton in 1988, Ramsey took over the head coaching position at
the university until 1995 when she arrived at Ashland.
Currently, Ramsey serves the university as the senior
women’s administrator and assistant athletic director, as
well as the advisor for the Student Advisory Council and head
women’s basketball coach. She also serves on the WBCA board
of directors as the association’s NCAA Division II
legislative chair.
Ramsey will be formally recognized during the WBCA Awards Show,
which will be heldat 5 p.m. MT Monday, April 2, in the Plaza
Ballroom at the Sheraton Downtown Denver. This event is part of the
WBCA National Convention and is held in conjunction with the
NCAA® Women’s Final Four® in Denver.
Now in its 26th year, the Carol Eckman Award has recognized the following individuals in women’s basketball: Joanne Boyle, University of California (2011); Kevin Cook, Gallaudet University (2010); Muffet McGraw, Notre Dame University (2009); Doug Bruno, DePaul University (2008); Theresa Grentz, University of Illinois (2007); Gail Goestenkors, Duke University (2006); Bonnie Henrickson, University of Kansas (2005); Deirdre Kane, West Chester University (2004); Marsha Sharp, Texas Tech University (2003); Barbara Stevens, Bentley College (2002); Juliene Simpson, East Stroudsburg University (2001); Kathy Delaney-Smith, Harvard University (2000); Susan Summons, Miami-Dade (Fla.) Community College (1999); Kay James, University of Southern Mississippi (1998); Amy Ruley, North Dakota State University (1997); Dr. Joann Rutherford, University of Missouri (1996); Ceal Barry, University of Colorado (1995); the late Sue Gunter, Louisiana State University (1994); C. Vivian Stringer, University of Iowa (1993); Dr. Jill Hutchison, Illinois State University (1992); Marian Washington, University of Kansas (1991); Maryalyce Jeremiah, Cal State Fullerton (1990); Linda Hill-MacDonald, University of Minnesota (1989); the late Kay Yow, North Carolina State University (1988); Jody Conradt, University of Texas (1987), and Laura Mapp, Bridgewater College (1986).
About the WBCA
Founded in 1981, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association
promotes women's basketball by unifying coaches at all levels to
develop a reputable identity for the sport and to foster and
promote the development of the game as a sport for women and girls.
The WBCA is pleased to join the women's sports community in
commemorating the 40th anniversary of Title IX, which was passed by
Congress on June 23, 1972, and provides females with equal
opportunities in athletics in the U.S. For more information on the
WBCA, please visit wbca.org.