Sue Ramsey was honored as she coached one of her final regular season home games on Thursday in front of a record high crowd.

For the occasion, Ramsey wore her signature purple cowboy boots for the game.  The last time those made an appearance was at the National Championship game in San Antonio in 2013.

Although she will never stand on the sidelines in Kate’s gymnasium and coach the Eagles after this season, her legacy will never be forgotten at Ashland University.  

Ramsey’s enthusiastic presence will always be an aspect of AU athletics.  Whether it be on the photo mural near the locker room, among the indentations on the sidelines from her jumping excitedly along the court during the games, or on the national championship banner hanging for every competing team to see when they walk into the gym.

The women’s basketball team will never go into a game without thinking about Ramsey’s impact on the program.  Future players who come as year’s progress will learn of her legacy and play to the standards   Ramsey instills on her players to this day.

“The wins are always nice,” said Ramsey. “But when it comes down to it, it’s all about the people, and I am so blessed to have been a part of this program.”

Tursday night was filled with many familiar faces around Ashland and the NCAA. Ashland’s athletic department brought in a number of people from around the country to provide different perspectives from Ramsey’s career.

The list of people who came to speak on behalf of Ramsey seemed never ending.

GLIAC Commissioner Del Robinson and Roberta Paige from the NCAA Championships were present to speak at the game.  Paige traveled with the team during both of their appearances to the NCAA Championships. 

Interim President Crothers, Mayor Glen Stewart, two of Ashland’s County Commissioners, and Jeff Alix from Ashland’s development program in hopes to create endowment to honor Sue Ramsey.

Travis Tarnowski, the quarterback of Ashland’s football team, presented a check for 500 dollars to Ramsey for a charity of her choice.

The most heartfelt speaker of the night was one of Ramsey’s former players, Lynsey Warren. Warren is now the Ohio Domincan head coach and played for the Eagles during her sophomore through senior year at AU.

“Lynsey Warren did a wonderful job with what she said,” said Ramsey. “There is a lot of emotion, a lot of hugs and the best part of this profession, which I’ve been able to focus on over the years is all about relationships.”

Having such a huge crowd present in Kate’s Gymnasium to honor Ramsey was incredible. 

Al King, AU’s newly named Athletic Director, has been at Ashland throughout Coach Ramsey’s entire time at the University.

“What Sue has done is really elevate the woman’s program overall,” said King. “She did a lot of things to create opportunity for female athletes and to make sure these athletes had a voice.”

All of what Ramsey has brought to the University and more specifically, the women’s basketball program will be carried through the generations of athletes who come through AU.