Boxing and the books
STATE COLLEGE — Hitting the books has never been a problem for Jack Ramsey.
The 2019 Mars graduate was valedictorian of his class. He is graduating from Penn State University this month, carrying a 3.95 grade point average as an Industrial Engineering major.
Ramsey does his share of hitting in the ring as well. A four-year member of Penn State’s club boxing team, he recently attained All-American honors by defeating Jacob Lesney of California-Santa Clara by unanimous decision at the National Collegiate Boxing Association’s national tournament in Charlotte, N.C.
Fighting in the 139-pound division, Ramsey lost to defending national champion Adrain Johnson of Navy in the NCBA nationals’ next round.
“I grew up interested in martial arts through watching UFC fights with my dad,” Ramsey said. “I started going to a gym (The Academy) in Pittsburgh when I was in 10th grade to learn kick-boxing and jiu jitsu skills, along with other mixed martial arts.
“When I was looking for colleges, I wanted to go somewhere that had something in that field I could pursue. I saw Penn State had a boxing team and hooked up with them right away.”
Ramsey was one of approximately 20 newcomers trying out for the team. They were put through physical conditioning tests and sparred against each other to determine who makes the squad.
There were 30 boxers on the squad, but only 15 who fought competitively. Ramsey was one of them, compiling a 5-3 record in his four seasons. He won one fight by stoppage and lost one the same way.
“I fought a guy from Lock Haven, the Naval Academy, West Point, Trinity College ... They were all tough fights,” Ramsey said. “Everybody who gets in the ring (in college boxing) is pretty serious about it.”
Ramsey was named team captain for Penn State and won the Sportsmanship Award at the national tournament, which was voted on by all the participating boxers.
“I wish I had Jack for another four years,” Penn State boxing coach Derek Roth said. “I wish all of my boxers were like him. He doesn’t say too much. He leads by example. Whether it’s training, sparring, fighting, he puts 100 percent into everything he does.
“He never should have lost that Johnson fight. Jack won the first round, won the second round, then took a punch on the chin in the third, only to jab right back — and the official stepped in right away and stopped the fight.
“Jack handled that whole situation so well. He was disappointed, but he handled it with class and grace,” Roth added.
“Jack was always into the martial arts,” his father, Ed Ramsey, said. “His dedication and background in it definitely helped him in boxing. What he’s done with it his senior year is pretty exciting.”
Mr. Ramsey never had any qualms about his son stepping into the ring.
“Amateur boxing officials always err on the side of caution,” he said. “The boxers wear headgear, bigger gloves, it’s all safe.”
Ramsey was always able to mesh boxing with his studies. He was selected by the College of Engineering to be the Student Marshal for the Industrial Engineering program for spring commencement. That honor is given to the graduate who represents the best of the program graduates.
While he only averaged two fights per year with the Nittany Lions, Ramsey’s boxing schedule was full.
The team works out together four days a week. Its boxers spar in other gyms. Ramsey does additional workouts and training on his own.
“It’s the nature of the sport,” he said. “You do a lot of prepping for a six-minute fight. But it’s a grueling six minutes and you have to be in shape.”
Ramsey has an engineering job lined up in York after graduation. He said his boxing career will end after college.
“I’ll stay in shape because I’ve learned the importance of that,” he said. "But I don’t see myself getting in the ring again.“
Roth appreciates the time he got to spend coaching Ramsey.
“He was disciplined and smart in the ring, knew when to jump in (toward an opponent) and jump back.” the coach said. “He was such a coachable fighter. He earned everything he got.”
