Ashland University women’s head basketball coach Sue Ramsey said she will retire from coaching after the 2014-2015 season. 

On Monday, Ramsey addressed her decision to step down from coaching after spending the past two decades as the leader of the AU women’s basketball program.

“I am both humbled and grateful for the Lord blessing me with this journey,” Ramsey said. “There have been so many amazing moments, but what I am most thankful for are all the wonderful players and coaches who make up AU women’s basketball. You have all contributed to making coaching my passion, not my job.”

Ramsey has spent the past 35 years as a basketball coach and is currently serving as an associate athletic director for the university.

2014-2015 will be Ramsey’s 20th season coaching the Eagles.

Her overall record through 19 seasons at Ashland is 342-208 (.622), including the 2012-2013 Division II national championship season and the 2011-2012 national runner-up season. The Eagles’ record during those two seasons was 70-3 (.959). 

Replacing Ramsey as head coach in 2015-2016 will be current associate head coach Robyn Fralick. Fralick is entering her seventh season in assisting Ramsey. 

“The opportunity to be the next head coach is both very exciting and humbling,” Fralick said. “My family feels very fortunate and thankful for the opportunity. My goal is to continue to build on the tradition of Ashland women’s basketball.”

Fralick also noted that the impact that Ramsey has had on her life and the game of basketball has influential to say the least. 

“It’s been an unbelievable experience to work for Coach Ramsey,” Fralick said. “Her impact on the women’s basketball game far extends beyond Ashland University. She is a pioneer in our business and has fought for opportunities for women. She is a true leader and believes in the holistic growth of her student-athletes. I have learned so much from her.”

Joining Fralick on next season’s coaching staff will be current assistant coach Kari Pickens and graduate assistant Emily Hatch. 

Pickens (formerly Kari Daugherty) was the national player of the year in both 2012 and 2013 on AU’s national championship and national runner-up teams.

“What a joy it is to know that coach Fralick, and assistant coaches Pickens and Hatch, will be carrying on the fundamental principles on which AU women’s basketball is built,” Ramsey said.

Ramsey is the longest tenured coach in program history and is the longest-serving head coach in the Ashland University athletic department. 

Before coaching for Ashland, Ramsey was the head coach for the University of Dayton from 1986-1994. 

Ramsey began her first season at AU on October 11, 1995. It was just four days before the beginning of fall practice. 

In that season, she led the Eagles to a 16-10 record. 

Under Ramsey’s guidance, Ashland has qualified for the Division II postseason four times and won seven outright or co-GLIAC South Division titles. 

Although Ramsey’s basketball accolades are impressive, Ramsey’s impact at Ashland University has reached far beyond her presence on the court.  

In addition to her duties as associate athletic director, Ramsey is also the school’s senior women’s administrator where she served in the NCAA Division II women’s basketball committee for four years. 

Ramsey’s players have also shown repeated success in the classroom. Three Ramsey coached teams have been in the top 15 nationally in team grade-point average. 

“From the day she arrived, Sue has never wavered from what she’s believed in and what she’s wanted to do with the program,” said AU Interim Director of Athletics Al King. “She hasn’t cut corners and she’s never compromised. There has always been one standard, and that has never changed. 

That unwavering standard has not been just team-oriented basketball. Ramsey coached-programs have always had a strong base of faith and family. 

 “Sue believed our student-athletes could be champions on and off the court, King said. “No one’s made that come true like Sue. No one’s prepared her players for the game of basketball and the game of life like Sue.”

At Monday’s press conference, Ramsey was quick to quote Jeremiah 29:11, which reads, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,’”in regards to what her future holds in store for her.”

After this upcoming basketball season, Ramsey intends pursue a profession in motivational speaking and also commentating for televised women’s basketball games.

“I am very excited for what lies ahead, although my plans are not in stone,” Ramsey said. 

Ramsey says she does intend to remain a resident of central Ohio even though she will be travelling nationwide with her new profession.

“I want to thank both the AU community and the community of Ashland for all its support,” Ramsey said. “Your faith and belief in me and our program is a special gift that I will carry with me forever.”

“I will remain a faithful Eagle fan forever.”