Loudonville High School scholar athletes listen to talk from former AU women's hoops coach
For the first time a luncheon was served Monday, May 23, where scholar athletes from Loudonville High School were recognized.
They were also given an intense course in team motivation by an expert in the field, former Ashland University Basketball Coach Sue Ramsey.
Ramsey guided the Lady Eagles to the 2013 Division II National Collegiate Championship in women’s basketball.
Ramsey emphasized “great teams have great teammates,” and provided several instances where support from teammates is what put teams on top.
“We had a player who was close to being a starter as a freshman, but because better talent came along, never got that close to starting again,” Ramsey recalled. “She seriously thought about quitting the team as a senior, but instead vowed to become the best teammate her fellow players could have.
“That included playing hard against the starters in practices, so they would be prepared for the best our opponents could put against them,” she said.
“To be a great teammate takes responsibility, and learning to be one can impact every phase of our life, from family relationships, friends, the community, our jobs,” she said.
Being a great teammate starts with the individual. “The most powerful leadership tool is your own personal example,” the coach said. “You must also accept responsibility for your actions, be accountable for your results, and take ownership of your mistakes. You must also know your role on your team, and appreciate the fact that every role has equal value. Failure to fulfill your role is like being a missing piece on a jigsaw puzzle. It’s not finished without it.”
Great teammates must also be great communicators, must be committed and must have a positive attitude.
“Be positive,” she implored. “It gives you power over your circumstances.”
About 60 Loudonville High School scholar athlete students honored
The approximately 60 students honored enjoyed a pizza lunch while listening to Ramsey. Each was recognized for earning a B or better average during their sports season. For some, this included this achievement for all four grading periods in the school year.
The event was conceived by Athletic Director Tyler Bates, who advised his student athletes “We have some good teams this year. With what you have heard today, you have a start on what could be great teams in the future. There is greatness in this room.”
Loudonville Mayor Jason VanSickle, a 1993 LHS graduate who was a good athlete in his time at LHS, opened the program by praising the students for maintaining good grades while playing on a team.
“Getting good grades is hard work, and being a good athlete is hard work,” the mayor said. “To make the honor roll while playing sports is a fantastic thing.”
Five of the student scholar athletes, Olivia Fenton, Sydney Frye, Isaac Gongwer, Hunter Poland and Brett Carnegie, won a door prize drawing for a gift certificate at Subway.
This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Ramsey provides pep talk for Loudonville scholar athletes
