Jody Ramsey was the Broncs’ 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 (four), stolen bases (17) and walks. He also earned NCAA All-District VI honors.
Prior to the 1973 season, Ramsey was working on the construction of the new UTPA baseball stadium being built. 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.
Former head coach Al Ogletree said that the death of Ramsey was one of the most upsetting moments in his coaching career.
“1973 turned out to be a dark time in my life, and in the history of Pan American baseball, with the death of one of the great men and students of Pan Am.”
After his death, students petitioned the Pan American University Board of Regents to name the park in Ramsey’s memory. The recommendation was accepted unanimously, and in 1974, the Broncs took the field to play their first season in Jody Ramsey Memorial Stadium.
The UTPA baseball program played in Jody Ramsey Memorial Stadium from 1974 through 2000. The park was dismantled in 2003 to make way for an education building.
The Broncs also honored Ramsey by hosting the Jody Ramsey Tournament every year from 1980 through 1995, and through a memorial award given to a senior baseball player each season. Considered the top award given to any baseball player, it goes to the athlete who best exemplifies the standards set by Ramsey, including superior athletic ability, character, leadership and dedication to excellence on and off the field.
Additionally, Ogletree never again gave out Ramsey’s jersey number (six).
While he was very impressive on the field, Ramsey was equally outstanding in his character and standards of living. He was twice elected president of the Pan American University Chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Ramsey lived an outstanding moral existence and had a brief, but brilliant career within the Broncs baseball program.
Ramsey was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Ramsey of Freeport, Texas.
