The Ohio Northern University Athletic Hall of Fame inducted four new members during recent ceremonies over Homecoming last weekend.
The inductees in the fall 2017 class are:
• Ann Ringler Bassitt of Ada, a 1997 graduate who majored in biology and played both soccer and softball;
• Lauren (Ernst) Grillot of Fort Loramie, a 2007 graduate who majored in biology and was a track and field athlete;
• Joe Maiani of Monroe, Ohio, a 1997 graduate who majored in political science and sociology and was a wrestler; and
• Jason Trusnik of Strongsville, a 2007 graduate who majored in early childhood education major and played football.
Ann Ringler Bassitt excelled in both soccer and softball during her ONU athletics career. In soccer, she was a four-year letter-winner, and she tied for the team lead with 11 goals in 1994. She was first-team All-Ohio Athletic Conference in 1994 and honorable mention All-OAC in 1995.
On the softball diamond, the four-year letter-winner was first-team All-OAC and second-team All-Central Region in 1994 and second-team all-conference in 1995. When she graduated, Bassitt ranked first in career stolen bases (50), third in sacrifice bunts (28) and third in runs scored (100). She led the team with 42 base hits in 1995, 18 stolen bases in 1994, and 10 stolen bases in 1995.
She tied for the team lead with 39 runs scored in 1994. She is the only Ohio Northern softball player to hit for the cycle in a single game.
Beyond the athletics fields, Bassitt was involved in Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. After graduation, she worked for ONU’s Office of Admissions for nine years. She is currently a science teacher at Perry High School in Lima, and she has been voted teacher of the year by the school’s National Honor Society students. Bassitt graduated from Northwestern High School in Springfield, Ohio.
Bassitt has also been involved in community sports programs, participating as both a coach and board member with the Ada Soccer Association and Ada Diamonds Association. She and her husband, Jeff, reside in Ada. They have two children, Jacob and Jenna.
To be inducted into ONU’s Athletic Hall of Fame, one must have made great contributions to the field of athletics through athletic performances at the University or meritorious efforts made on behalf of athletics. Athletes must have attended ONU at least 10 years ago.
All nominees must have demonstrated good citizenship both at ONU and beyond and served the athletics program in any capacity that contributed to the overall program.
