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Arnie Ramirez, the head women's soccer coach at Ramapo College, was inducted into the Long
Island University Athletic Hall of Fame on February 25. The winningest
coach in the history of men's soccer at LIU, Ramirez put Blackbird soccer
on the national and international map. In 20 seasons as head coach, he led
the team to four NCAA tournament appearances, two New York Region
Championships, and a pair of ECAC Tournament showings.
In addition, he was responsible for four Metropolitan Conference titles
(1979-1982) and the 1989 and 1997 Northeast Conference crowns. Ramirez
helped to develop a remarkable nine All-Americans during his stay in
Brooklyn. He was named the Metro Conference Coach-of-the-Year for three
straight seasons and selected by his peers as the New York Regions top
coach in 1985. Ramirez also played at LIU, serving as captain his junior
and senior seasons (1968, 1969).
Ramirez stole the show at the Long Island University's Athletics Hall of
Fame inductions.
"Thank you to the Hall of Fame committee for inducting me into the class
of 2006," he said. "Perhaps it was my destiny to be selected here tonight
with all of you, my family, my friends, former players to celebrate some
of the most fulfilling years of my life and my career. You see, Long
Island University and I have quite a history together."
When he received his plaque and special LIU hall of fame blazer at
halftime of the Blackbirds' basketball game with St. Francis, Ramirez
looked up toward some 20 former players who showed up for his induction
and put his thumb up.
"I want to thank all of players," he said later at the dinner. "I can't
mention just one guy or two guys. Every one of you, every one of you mean
so much to me. I am so proud of you, of all your accomplishments."
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