Retired Shelby coach Ellen Lawrence passes away at 81, program announces
Hall of Fame coach a 'Pioneer in Ohio women's sports'
The death of retired Shelby girls basketball coach Ellen Lawrence was announced late Saturday by the Shelby girls basketball program.
Lawrence, 81, of Logan, Ohio passed away Feb. 28 in Lancaster, Ohio, the Shelby program said via a Facebook post. A cause of death was not specified.
She was the first coach of the Shelby Lady Whippets. She coached basketball from 1973-1996, leading the team to a state championship in 1983 and a runner-up finish in 1992. Lawrence was named the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association's Coach of the Year in 1992.
Lawrence will be posthumously enshrined into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025 in April.
"She was able to receive her award prior to her passing," the Shelby program said in its Facebook post.
Lawrence also served as Shelby's athletic director for 12 years.
"A pioneer in Ohio women's sports, Lawrence started several girls' sports programs at Shelby High School, including volleyball, basketball, tennis, and track," the hall stated in its 2024 announcement about Lawrence's selection for the Hall of Fame.
The current Shelby Lady Whippets coach -- Natalie (Britt) Lantz -- was a standout player under Coach Lawrence, including on Shelby's 1992 team that advanced to the state final.
See Coach Lawrence's full obituary, including celebration of life information, as posted on the Facebook page of Shelby Girls Basketball. A link is available by clicking here.