SPOKANE, Wash. - For the eighth time since 1955, Whitworth University has selected a former Pirate player to take over as head coach of the baseball team. Dan Ramsay, who completed his playing eligibility this spring, will stay in the dugout as the head coach, according to an announcement made today by Whitworth Director of Athletics Dr. Scott McQuilkin.

“Dan emerged from among a quality pool of candidates,” said McQuilkin. “I believe we have the right person to lead our program forward.”

Ramsay takes over for Keith Ward, who stepped down in April after concluding his 11th season as head coach of the Pirates.

“I am very excited and grateful for the opportunity that Whitworth University is providing me,” said Ramsay. “My goal is to put a staff together that will share a common focus, and that our players will be able to utilize their experience and apply it to their lives beyond the game of baseball.”

Ramsay was an Honorable Mention All-Northwest Conference catcher for the Pirates in 2008 and a Second Team All-NWC selection in 2007 during his two seasons playing for Whitworth.

Since Paul Merkel was named Whitworth’s head coach for the 1955 season, eight of the nine Pirate head coaches have been alumnae of the school, covering 50 years of the 53-year period. That list includes Merkel (1955-71 and 1978-79), Spike Grosvenor (1972-73 and 1975-77), Bob Huber (1974), Dave Vaughn (1980-81), McQuilkin (1985-90), Randy Russell (1991-93), Rod Taylor (1994-97) and Ward (1998-2007). The only coach that did not graduate from Whitworth was Steve Brown (1982-84).

“I am very happy to extend my stay at Whitworth, a place that I have grown to love as a student, and a place I see myself growing old,” Ramsay said.