The Oberlin Review
<< Front page News September 24, 2004

Ramsey instills honor into players

Jeff Ramsey prefers fundamentals to flash, strength and honor to shameless pride and loyalty to unrighteousness. His humanistic coaching style and soft-pitched assertiveness have allowed him to write a new chapter in a book that began with John W. Heisman in 1892 when he led Oberlin to a perfect 7-0 record.

Ramsey arrived five seasons ago to inherit a dormant football program. The numbers were low. The linemen were scrawny. The receivers were undersized and slow. The defense’s best performance was a 6-0 forfeit against Wittenberg because the Yeomen were undermanned.

Ramsey brought energy and enthusiasm. He recruited the best student-athletes in the country. He revitalized the tradition of Oberlin Football from the days when William Shelby Oliver in 1935 captained three sports, sang in the glee club and was senior class president. He brought in student-athletes reminiscent of Ronald Stevenson in 1983, who double majored in government and communications and culminated his career with 3,462 yards. “Our football program looks for student-athletes who have character and intelligence. We want student-athletes with good athletic ability and experience,” Ramsey said.

He believes that the educational mission of the college interfaced beautifully with athletics. The progressive thinking that defines Oberlin’s rich history is woven in Ramsey’s ideals of self-discovery. It is this mature understanding that secured the foundation that John W. Heisman laid in 1892 when Oberlin defeated Ohio State and Michigan on the gridiron. “Our competitiveness makes us strive to be something better and compete for an NCAC championship,” Ramsey said.

His practices are efficient and educational. Ramsey explains, not chastises. He motivates and challenges his players through optimism, not self-doubt and fear. “Coach Ramsey definitely understands players have labs and homework, and he works around our schedules,” first-year Ryan Whitt said.

The Yeomen have improved drastically under Ramsey’s tenure. His staff spends long hours logging tape, making recruiting phone calls and scouting opponents. Ramsey acknowledges the help and guidance of several administrators outside of football and within the Oberlin community for supporting the rebirth of the Yeomen.

A rebirth that included a 14-7 victory over nationally ranked College of Wooster and a (5-5) record a year ago.

Football is in Ramsey’s genes, deep in his blood and at the heart of his passions. His father coached high school football for several years in California.

Spend a few minutes in the office with the soft-spoken and suntanned outdoorsmen, and you will see the striking influence of his second greatest mentor. College Football Hall of Fame inductee Coach Jim Sochor inspired the young Ramsey as a player and later as coach at University of California, Davis.

Books dealing with the humanistic side of sports align his bookshelves. His white board walls are littered with endless offensive and defensive schemes, strategy and game plans. His walls are decorated with the pictures and articles of many of his successful students.

From hard-hitting business scholar Andrew Roebuck to lineman and Cole Scholar of Electoral Politics Adam Miller, his praise for academics is apparent in the type of young man he puts on the field. Last season’s defense included Verizon All-District Academic All-American Kevin Jackson and All-American Quammie Semper who spent a great portion of his career involved with a myriad of organizations on campus. Defensive back Vorris Mayes was an elected Student Senator.

His players graduate and go onto successful careers in business, education, medicine and politics. “Coach Ramsey wants his players to be the best athletes they can be but most importantly be good people who help others,” said first-year Matthew Burke.

Ramsey is clear in vision, firm in purpose and strong in discipline. The Yeomen aspires to compete for an NCAC crown and be the best team west of the Allegheny Mountains.
 
 

   

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