Irvin Dale Ramsburg, Sr.

Dale Ramsburg was inducted into the inaugural College of Applied Human Sciences Hall of Fame in the fall of 2025. He was previously inducted into the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Hall of Fame in 1996.

A native of Frederick, Md., Ramsburg was WVU’s starting shortstop in 1963 and 1964, batting .290 with six home runs, six triples, 11 doubles and 42 RBIs. He helped lead the Mountaineers to a 54-8 record, two Southern Conference titles and two NCAA tournament appearances. A team captain and second-team all-Southern Conference selection, Ramsburg earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1966 and returned to WVU after a brief stint in the Minnesota Twins’ minor league system.

At just 26 years old, Ramsburg became WVU’s head baseball coach in 1968 and remained in the role for 26 seasons. He guided the Mountaineers to a 540-387-9 record — the most wins by any coach in WVU athletics history at the time — and four NCAA tournament appearances. His teams won at least 20 games in 16 seasons, including his final 13 straight.

Ramsburg was a two-time Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year and earned Eastern Coach of the Year honors from the American Baseball Coaches Association in 1994. He was appointed to the NCAA Baseball Committee in 1993. During his tenure, 27 of his players were drafted into Major League Baseball, including first-round picks Rick Oliver and Joe Honce. Notable professionals under his leadership include Buck Guth, Darrell Whitmore, Joe Hudson and Steve Kline.

Beyond the diamond, Ramsburg was a popular educator in the School of Physical Education, where he served as assistant professor, advisor and member of numerous committees. He earned his master’s degree in 1968 and his doctorate in 1978. In 1992, he received a Distinguished Service Award from the WVU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.

He is a member of the Potomac State College Hall of Fame, the Frederick County Sports Hall of Fame, and the WVU Sports Hall of Fame.

Ramsburg died in 1994 at age 53.