April 11, 2007
The University of Texas-Pan American will honor the life and memory of former baseball player Jody Ramsey at a commemorative ceremony on Saturday (Apr. 28) beginning at 10:00 a.m.
The commemorative ceremony will take place at the former location of Jody Ramsey Stadium located behind the UTPA Fieldhouse and where the UTPA Education Building currently resides. UTPA President Dr. Blandina Cardenas, Director of Athletics Scott Street, UTPA Hall of Fame Coach Al Ogletree along with the Ramsey family will be in attendance at the commemorative ceremony and will dedicate the area as a tribute to Jody Ramsey.
Ramsey had taken up work on the construction of the new stadium being built for the baseball program in the summer of 1972. As one of the laborers, he spent many hours on the site of the ballpark and in an unfortunate turn of events was killed in an electrical accident before the stadium had reached completion.
"Some of the other construction workers had once mentioned to Jody that they should name the stadium after him because he had worked so hard on it," said Ogletree in remembering his former player.
After his death, the students petitioned to the then Pan American University Board of Regents to name the park in Ramsey's memory. The recommendation was accepted unanimously, and in 1974, the Broncs would take the field to play their first season in the Jody Ramsey Memorial Stadium.
The tragic death of Ramsey on February 24, 1973 has left its mark on the baseball program at UTPA, and his memory is still honored through the memorial award that is given to a senior baseball player each season.
Ogletree started the award and considers it the top award given to any baseball player. The memorial award goes to the athlete who best exemplifies the standards set by Jody Ramsey, which they must show superior athletic ability, character, leadership and dedication to excellence on and off the field.
In 1973, the Bronc baseball program saw one of its most outstanding and talented athlete's career come to a close, and Ogletree said that the death of Ramsey was one of the most upsetting and devastating moments in his career.
"Jody was an outstanding ballplayer and an even better person. He lived his life to the utmost and even today his memory serves as an inspiration to all baseball players that go through the UTPA program," said Ogletree.
Ramsey was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Ramsey of Freeport, Texas. The park was dedicated in his honor at ceremonies in 1974 conducted by Bobby Bragan, President of the Texas League and Dr. Ralph Schilling, President of Pan American University.
Ramsey was one of the finest student-athletes and citizens to ever compete as a Bronc. He was the squad's leading hitter and co-captain for the 1972 season, and that year, he led the team in eight statistical categories, including hitting (.346), games played (56), at-bats (185), runs scored (47), hits (64), triples (4), stolen bases (17) and walks. He also earned All-District VI honors in the NCAA Division I rankings.
The UTPA baseball program played in the Jody Ramsey Memorial Stadium from 1974-2000. The park was dismantled in 2003 to make way for the UTPA Education Building.
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