Rammel special for FRHS

I was kidding, but not really.
Over the last few years, I have joked with Barb Sautbine about Connor Rammel stepping into her position as Fort Recovery High School athletics director upon her retirement.
I’ve brought up the idea enough times that when Sautbine called to tell me who a committee had selected to take her job, she made sure she was clear.
“Kurt Rammel. Now that’s not Connor Rammel, it’s Kurt,” she said.
If it had been Connor, that would have been just fine with me.
At a track meet in 2005 I remember seeing a little fourth grader following Sautbine around. I asked her about the boy and she told me his name was Connor and he was helping her out.
He has been ever since.
Rammel has served as Fort Recovery’s unofficial assistant athletics director for the better part of the last decade.
His jobs started with small tasks, like passing out water to event workers at track meets. But his responsibilities continually grew over the years.
“He’s … always been a take-charge kind of kid and been able to run with it,” said Sautbine. “He’s always been a very responsible young adult, always, even when he was back in fourth grade.”
By the time Rammel reached high school he was working the gate at football games and making sure officials got their checks. And when there was a volleyball match and junior varsity football game happening at the same time on a Saturday, he was running the show at Barrenbrugge Athletic Park while Sautbine was in the gym.
“That was my favorite thing. I knew I wasn’t in charge, but I felt like I was her,” he said, looking at Sautbine. “I like to be the one to come to if you have a problem or question.”
Rammel has also spent one period in the FRHS athletics office for most of his high school career. As a senior, he gave up early dismissal in order to stick around and help out.
With all the time they’ve spent together, Rammel and Sautbine have developed a strong bond. On twins day during spirit week in the fall, Rammel dressed up as his mentor — make-up and all.
He says Sautbine is like a second mom.
“I have a lot of fond memories with Connor. He’s like a second child to me,” said Sautbine. “It’s been great. … He’s given up a lot of his own personal time to help out.”
Rammel will graduate from FRHS in a couple of weeks and head off to college in the fall at the University of Northwestern Ohio, but his time assisting with athletics administration is far from over. He has already made contact with UNOH athletics director Chris Adams to begin making plans to help out with the Racers next year.
“That excites me because I’ll feel like it’s a little piece of home that I’m bringing with me,” he said.
Rammel is planning to major in business administration at UNOH and hopes to own his own business some day. I have no doubt that whatever business Rammel goes into, he will be a success.
But if he ever decides he wants to run the athletics department at Fort Recovery, it would be great to have him back.


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