Ross named new Athletic Director at NWF State
7/18/2012 – Ross named new athletic director at NWF State
By BRANDON WALKER 315-1476 | @BrandonWnwfdn bwalker@nwfdailynews.com
Before looking forward with a new athletic director, officials at Northwest Florida State College took a look inward to find the right man for the job.
On Friday, a three-month search that included 35 applicants ended as NWF State promoted interim AD Ramsey Ross to the position of Athletic Director. Ross will succeed former AD Mickey Englett, who retired in April after 22 years at the school.
For Ross, the chance to become athletic director at NWF State will continue a family legacy. Ross's father, Ray, coached for the NWF State men's basketball team on three separate occasions, the most recent as an assistant in 2010-11, giving the younger Ross a strong connection to the school for most of his life and a deeper meaning to becoming the school's first new athletic director since 1990.
"It definitely was an emotional moment for me because of the equity I have in this tremendous program both personally and professionally," Ross said. "To say that this is a huge thrill for me would be an understatement."
Ross has been with the college since 2004 in a variety of roles, including Coordinator of Student Activities and Coordinator of Athletics, Health and Fitness. Ross holds a Master's Degree from Florida State University in Sports Administration and a bachelor's in business management. He was named Interim AD in March.
For NWF State officials familiar with Ross, the selection was easy.
"Ramsey was the unanimous selection of the committee and did an excellent job in our selection process, clearly earning the post," said NWF State President Dr. Ty Handy in a release Friday. "We are so pleased that Ramsey will be moving into this important leadership role."
Ross gave a nod to Englett, who he counts as a mentor.
"The foundation of Raider athletics that Coach Englett established is absolutely remarkable and I am so thankful and blessed to have had the opportunity to work with him over the past seven years," Ross said. "During that time, I was able to learn from one of the most successful athletic administrators in the history of the NJCAA and his guidance propelled me to where I am today."
Now, Ross will take the reins of one of the NJCAA's most consistent programs. The 2011-12 athletic year was one of the most successful in the school's history, culminating in a national runner-up finish by the NWF State mens basketball team.
For the future, Ross simply hopes to continue to build on the college's foundation.
"Moving forward, our program will continue to maintain a standard of excellence in two year collegiate athletics," said Ross. "We measure excellence by operating with integrity, developing our student-athletes as people, progressing them as students and advancing them as athletes. By doing those four things, in that order, we will be doing our part in fulfilling the Northwest Florida State College's overall mission of improving lives."