Leslie Ramsey (right)

SPRINGFIELD - Wittenberg University Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Head Coach Leslie Ramsey has announced her resignation after three years at the helm of the program. She made the decision for a variety of personal reasons and plans to pursue other job opportunities in the coming months.

"Leslie has made a tremendous contribution to Wittenberg University's athletic department," said Pam Smith, associate director of athletics and recreation. "Her dedication and professionalism will be missed."

Ramsey, who also served as Wittenberg's aquatics director in charge of all operations around the HPER Center Natatorium, led the Tigers to some of their best finishes ever in the North Coast Athletic Conference, annually the most challenging NCAA Division III conference in the nation. Wittenberg's men took home top-five finishes in each of the last three years, while the Tiger women challenged for third place each year while posting the program's best point totals at the conference championship meet.

"This was a very difficult decision for me," Ramsey said. "Wittenberg University and all of the wonderful people I have gotten to know over the last three years, especially my swimmers, will always hold a special place in my heart."

Ramsey coached three All-Americans at Wittenberg - Rachel Juergens in 2002, Steve Rader in 2002, 2003 and 2004, and Becca Searcy in 2003 and 2004 - and her teams placed numerous swimmers on the All-NCAC honor roll in the last three years. More than a dozen school records also fell during her time leading the Tiger program.

Smith said a search for Ramsey's replacement will begin immediately.