Relentless Ramirez: SLIAC Three-Time Player of the Year is a Champion On and Off the Court

When senior Annette Ramirez of Reeds, Missouri, decided to attend Westminster College, she never dreamed she would break conference basketball records and make countless headlines. She just loved playing the game.

Yet fate (and a lot of talent) intervened, and on Feb. 26, Ramirez was named the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) Women’s Three-Time Player of the Year. To top it off, she is only the second person in SLIAC history to earn the ranking.

Throughout her time at Westminster, Ramirez has remained clear on her ultimate goal: She wants to teach children, and concentrating on earning her degree in early childhood and elementary education has always been more important than her sports teams or other activities. But Ramirez became a leader in a variety of organizations anyway, concentrating on doing her best in every area of her life.

Ramirez is basketball team captain, plays on the women’s golf team, is president of the College’s Education Association, serves as president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as well as the Campus Crusade for Christ.

Read further to learn more about the relentless Ramirez:

How old were you when you started playing basketball? 

I was three years old when my dad first put a ball in my hand, but I didn’t start playing competitively until I was in the third grade.

What do you like most about the game?

The thing I like most about the game is having the opportunity to meet new people. I’ve made so many connections and lifelong friendships through basketball, and I’m so blessed to have met the people that I have.

Westminster’s student-athletes are here primarily for the academics. Do you have any advice for young people who would like to follow in your footsteps, pursuing academics but remaining passionate about their sport?

I would say give it your all in everything you do. I’m very passionate about basketball, but I’m just as passionate about my education. With that, if you’re going to do something, give it your all in whatever it is you’re doing. By doing so, not only are you making yourself better, but you’re making those around you better. These four years fly by like crazy, so enjoy it while you can!

How did you end up choosing Westminster College?

I was actually about to commit to another school, but the day before I was going to announce my commitment, Coach T texted me, saying she was interested and asked if I wanted to visit. Funny enough, I was about to tell her I wasn’t interested, because I had already made up my mind, but my mom actually convinced me to go. She wanted to come along, so I thought it would be a fun little trip we could take. Sure enough, we got here, and I loved it, but the deciding factor for me was how respectful one of my former teammates, Amorette Rodriguez, was to my mom. My mom is Spanish-speaking, and so is Amo. She picked up on that right away, and the two of them talked the entire visit. Seeing how well they treated not just me but my mom made my decision easy. If they could make both of us feel so welcome, I knew this was the right place for me.

Would you recommend Westminster to others based on your experience here?

One hundred percent yes. These past four years have truly been the best of my life, and not just because of basketball, but because of the College as a whole. Being a DIII athlete has given me the chance to be involved in a variety of organizations and stay active within the community. On top of that, my journey with the education department has been incredible. The professors here are not only passionate about what they do, but they genuinely care about their students, both in and outside the classroom. I’ve built an amazing support system at this college: one that I know will continue to be there for me long after I graduate, and for that, I’m thankful.

Who are your favorite faculty and staff members?

One of my favorite faculty and staff members is our athletic trainer, Ryan Novatny. Without Ryan, I would not be in the position I am in today. He’s been here ever since I was a freshman and never fails to keep me healthy. He has such a selfless heart and wants the best for every athlete he interacts with. Without Ryan, these achievements wouldn’t have happened, so I’m very thankful for him and his willingness to help athletes. Another favorite is the entire education department. From the professors to the adjuncts, I can’t just choose one because each of them has impacted me in some capacity. In each of them is a contagious passion, and I can’t thank them enough for assisting me in becoming the best educator I can be.

Where will your student teaching take place?

I will be student teaching at Bartley Elementary here in Fulton!

Where will you be teaching after that? 

Depending on what the district needs at the time will determine where I will be teaching. Wherever I am placed, I’m excited to get started!

Do you plan to continue with basketball in some capacity after graduation?

Competitively, I think this will be it for me, but when the time is right, I would like to get into coaching basketball. I love basketball, and I don’t think that will ever change, so I am looking forward to simply playing it for enjoyment and hopefully sharing my knowledge with others.

What do you do in your “free” time?

During the summer, I got into pickleball and was obsessed with it, so when the weather is nice, pickleball is something I love to do. Something else I enjoy doing is playing guitar. It’s nice to have a hobby that doesn’t take a big toll on my body.