Tim and Anita Schoen Endow Sport Psychology Program Director Position – Notre Dame Fighting Irish – Official Athletics Website
Tim and Anita Schoen of Solana Beach, California, have made a gift to the University of Notre Dame to endow the Sports Psychology Program Director position, which is currently held by Joey Ramaeker, Ph.D. Ramaeker assumes the new title of Schoen Family Sport Psychology Program Director.
As the Schoen Family Sport Psychology Program Director, Ramaeker leads his team of three Sport Psychology Specialists to provide clinical and performance-based services to over 700 Notre Dame student-athletes. The staff also provides regular consultation, programming, and education to coaches and athletic department staff. Ramaeker also serves as Assistant Director of the University Counseling Center.
“Tim and Anita’s generous gift is a powerful statement about their belief in the holistic development of our student-athletes,” said University Vice President and James E. Rohr Director of Athletics Pete Bevacqua. “Their support allows us to not only provide the very best resources in sports psychology, but also to recognize the incredible leadership of Dr. Joey Ramaeker, who has been instrumental in growing this vital program. We’re deeply grateful to the Schoen family for their commitment to our student-athletes’ well-being and for their long-standing support of Notre Dame.”
The Schoens are longtime supporters of Notre Dame and its athletics department. They belong to the Jesse Harper Council, President’s Circle and Friends of Ted & Ned giving societies. Anita also is a member of the Advisory Council for the Student-Athlete (AC4SA). Additionally, the couple has generously supported the Notre Dame cheerleading team for many years.
Professionally, Tim is president of BioMed Realty, and Anita is a former Human Resource Specialist. Their sons, Alec ’16 and Patric ’20, are Notre Dame graduates.
“In today’s technology driven society, it is mandatory to include mental health services at the forefront of developing and supporting the student-athlete, under the Sports Performance Program,” said the Schoens. “The student-athlete of Notre Dame has a tremendous job of achieving both high academic standards and contributing to the goal of winning in sports. The Schoen Family believes in the motto of a ‘force for good’, and at Notre Dame, that force needs the best in mental health tools and personnel to help student athletes be healthy, feel supported, and succeed, particularly in today’s influential world of social media. We are honored to endow the position currently held by the talented and dedicated Dr. Joey Ramaeker.”
Ramaeker attended Occidental College where he played baseball and received an undergraduate degree in psychology. After earning a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling at Boston College, he completed a doctorate in Counseling Psychology with a specialization in Sport and Exercise Psychology at the University of North Texas. Ramaeker then served as a pre-doctoral intern and subsequently a staff clinician at Iowa State University’s Student Counseling Services, where he helped to expand services offered to ISU student-athletes. Ramaeker joined the Notre Dame staff in 2017.
“I am incredibly grateful to Tim and Anita for their extraordinary generosity and unwavering support,” said Ramaeker. “Being named the inaugural Schoen Family Sport Psychology Program Director is an incredible honor. The Schoens’ commitment to student-athlete health, well-being, and development is unmatched. In today’s rapidly evolving collegiate athletics landscape, they truly embody the phrase, ‘you can’t separate the person from the performer.’ This role represents an exciting step forward as we continue expanding the tools and resources that empower student-athletes to pursue excellence and wellness both on and off the field.”
