CASTLETON, Vt. – Vermont State University Castleton softball head coach Eric Ramey will step away from the program at the conclusion of the academic year, announced VTSU Castleton Director of Athletics Tim Barrett on Wednesday morning.
 
Ramey was the face of the program for 13 total seasons, posting a 217-166-2 record in his career at Castleton—the most wins in program history by any head coach. The Spartans were .500 or better 11 times in those 13 seasons. He guided the program to its first North Atlantic Conference Championship and an NCAA Tournament berth in 2016 and brought the Spartans to four consecutive Little East Conference tournaments in the last four years.
 
"Eric has been an impressive leader for the softball program over the last 10 years, displaying consistency year in and year out," said Barrett. "He has been a positive presence in the lives of many young women that have come through the Spartan softball program, and I wish him all the best in his new position."
 
Ramey will be returning to the Slate Valley Unified School District as the Athletic Director for grades 5-12. Before returning to Castleton for his second stint with the program in 2014, Ramey served as the Fair Haven Union High School Athletic Director for eight years.
 
His players saw immense success on the diamond, racking up two conference Player of the Year awards, one Pitcher of the Year award and one Rookie of the Year award under his tutelage. He was also selected as the NAC Coach of the Year in 2015. Additionally, 21 student-athletes earned First Team All-Conference recognition and another 16 landed Second Team All-Conference honors. Six were tabbed to the LEC All-Rookie Team during his tenure and four players earned All-Region recognition from the NFCA.
 
Not only did softball student-athletes excel on the field, they were standouts in the classroom as well. The team won numerous President's Cups, signifying academic excellence among spring sport programs at Castleton, and routinely hauled in NAC and LEC All-Academic Team honorees. The Spartans also won the LEC's softball Team Academic Award back-to-back seasons in 2022 and 2023.
 
"It has been an honor to be the first full-time head softball coach at Castleton," said Ramey. "I enjoyed this experience immensely, and I will take many incredible relationships away from here. Leaving this team is not an easy decision, however, I have another great opportunity for my family in front of me. This team is well positioned for continued success."
 
A national search for a new head softball coach will begin immediately.