Ashland University women’s basketball coach Sue Ramsey has been recognized by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as the recipient of the 2011 Kay Yow Heart of a Coach Award. The presentation will be made Sunday, April 3, during a breakfast ceremony at the NCAA Women’s Final Four in Indianapolis.

Named for the late North Carolina State coaching icon Kay Yow, the award is presented annually by the FCA to honor a basketball coach who has exemplified biblical principles over the course of his or her career. The late Kay Yow, who passed away from breast cancer in 2009, was presented with the inaugural award at the 2008 Women’s Final Four in Tampa.

“I believe Sue Ramsey is an outstanding choice for this award,” said FCA National Director of Events, Donna Noonan. “It is clear from the way she lives and coaches that she loves Christ and loves people. As one of her players stated, ‘she helped me develop into a more loving and Christ-minded person.’ Like Coach Yow, Sue is leaving a lasting legacy that will extend beyond her achievements on the court.”

In addition to being AU’s head women’s basketball coach, Ramsey is an assistant athletic director and the school’s senior women’s administrator. She is also on the board of directors for the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) where she serves as the NCAA Division II legislative chair. She served four years as a member of the NCAA Division II women’s basketball selection committee.

In 2010-2011, Ramsey guided the Eagles to a 19-10 record and a spot in the championship game of the GLIAC Tournament. Ramsey has led Ashland to three 20-win seasons and the only two NCAA Division II playoff berths (2003-04, 2005-06) in school history. Her 2003-04 team set the school single-season record for victories (23). Ramsey is AU’s career leader in wins. In 16 years on the AU bench her record is 254-196. Her career record in 23 years as a collegiate head coach is 349-324.

Prior to joining AU, Ramsey spent eight seasons as the head coach at the University of Dayton.

She was the first woman to receive a basketball scholarship at the University of Indiana.