Dr. Ella Shannon, a trailblazer for Ashland College women's athletics, has passed away at the age of 93.
"Ella was a pioneer and an advocate for women's athletics and by her presence, put Ashland on the map," said Ashland Director of Athletics
Al King. "She was instrumental in building the women's athletics program at Ashland College. We wouldn't be where we are today without her vision, persistence and dedication. Ella was tireless in making life better for female student-athletes. She was a teacher, a coach and an administrator. She did it all and excelled in every role."
"I first heard the name Ella Shannon when I was in high school," said former Ashland University head women's basketball coach
Sue Ramsey. "She put Ashland College athletics on the map back in the 70's during a time when women's sports received very little recognition. I was so blessed to know her and always remind her of the fact that our (AU women's basketball's) success was built on the solid foundation she established."
Shannon taught in the Physical Education department, and became the chair of the department in 1973. She also served as Ashland's women's athletic director from 1974-75, and developed the AC women's athletic program. Shannon guided the following teams to undefeated seasons – 1965 women's basketball, 1965 volleyball, and 1967 and 1972 field hockey.
She was active in the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW), and hosted the first Ohio Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women meeting. Eventually becoming professor emeritus of sports sciences at AU, Shannon received the 2009 National Association for Girls and Women in Sport Pathfinder Award – which honors women's who have blazed paths for the future of girls' and women's sports.
Shannon, a member of the Ashland College Class of 1963, was inducted into the Ashland University Hall of Fame in 1997, and the Ashland County Sports Hall of Fame in 1992. In 1973, she received Ashland's Outstanding Alumni of the Year Award.
She was a graduate of nearby Hayesville High School, and received her bachelor's degree from Ashland College (1963) and her master's (1967) and doctorate (1975) from The Ohio State University.
