BATON ROUGE - The LSU Soccer program is recognized for its community service efforts each year as part of the Tiger Athletic Foundation Academic Excellence Gala, and rising senior Alex Ramsey was honored during Monday's festivities as the 2012 TAF Female Volunteer of the Year for her leadership in the Baton Rouge community.

This year's TAF Academic Excellence Gala was held at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center as members from each of LSU's 19 varsity sports were recognized during the event.

Ramsey has helped provide the foundation of LSU Soccer's community service initiative since her arrival on campus in January 2010.

The LSU Soccer program was actually the recipient of the Tiger Cup for four-straight years at the TAF Academic Excellence Gala from 2009-12, recognizing LSU's most well-rounded athletics program while combining its final SEC and NCAA finish on the field with its team grade-point average in the classroom and number of hours accumulated in community service.

Ramsey says that her passion for community service can be traced back to her days as an youth player in Rock Hill, S.C., while being coached by two Irish players who were also members of the Winthrop University men's team in her hometown.

"They played for the local university in my hometown and I always admired how they took time to coach me, despite also playing soccer and going to class themselves," Ramsey said. "They gave back to the community that welcomed them. They actually taught me vital parts of the game that I still keep with me.

"LSU and the Baton Rouge community has welcomed me, and I feel that I should be like those coaches from so long ago and give back to this community. I'm really blessed to receive this award and have the ability to represent LSU and LSU Soccer in the community."

Ramsey also talked about the importance of community service as part of her experience as a member of the LSU Soccer program.

"Our team really enjoys the community service aspect of what we do as LSU student-athletes. It's always been an important part of our program," Ramsey said. "It's a great feeling to know you can come here and make a difference in the lives of so many people right here in our community, while also receiving a great education and playing soccer in the SEC."

Community service has helped build the foundation of one of the nation's emerging soccer programs since the arrival of head coach Brian Lee prior to the 2005 season.

"We certainly want to congratulate Alex Ramsey in being recognized in leading our community service efforts year in and year out. Her leadership is crucial for the success we strive for on and off the field here at LSU," Lee said. "Community service is one of the great things that provides our players the opportunity to come to LSU and enjoy a well-rounded experience as a college athlete. We're very proud of Alex and the rest of our team for the example they set in this community."