Meet Coach Ingram

Meet Coach Ray “Ritz” Ingram
Player. Soldier. Teacher. Coach. Referee. Author.
From the streets of Philadelphia to basketball courts across the United States and Europe, Coach Ingram’s life has been shaped by crossroads, challenges and the people who refused to give up on him.

Now he is sharing the lessons gathered during more than fifty years in basketball—and a lifetime of trying to make a difference.

Rather than try to write a description, I’ll use the words from someone else:

Marquis Who’s Who Honors Lauritz Raymond Ingram for Excellence in Sports and Recreation

Lauritz Raymond Ingram is a distinguished figure in the sports industry with 50 years of expertise in basketball coaching and mentorship

WEBSTER, TEXAS, December 31, 2024, Lauritz Raymond Ingram has been selected for inclusion in “Marquis Who's Who in America”. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value.

Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

With a focus on creating inclusive and dynamic environments for basketball players, Mr. Ingram has established a remarkable career in coaching and mentoring. As the retired basketball director at Life Time Fitness, he played the pivotal role in developing the Ultimate Hoops recreational basketball leagues, which have been among the top leagues in the United States.

During his tenure at Life Time Fitness, which began in 2018, he was instrumental in building the league from scratch, starting with four teams and eventually expanding it to three separate leagues.

His leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic was particularly notable, with his work ensuring that games continued safely and provided an essential outlet for players.

Before his tenure at Life Time Fitness, Mr. Ingram's storied career spanned various roles and locations.

He served as a coach in Germany, where he had the opportunity to mentor a young Dirk Nowitzki, who went on to become an NBA legend and was later inducted into the league’s Hall of Fame.

His coaching journey also included positions at Davidson College, the George School and the University of North Carolina Asheville.

Additionally, his military service as a Lieutenant in the United States Army, with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, during the height of the Cold War provided him with his first real coaching opportunity as he led a basketball team of soldiers' sons and won the European Championship.

Academically, Mr. Ingram's educational background includes a bachelor's degree in History and Secondary Education from Hofstra University.

He played basketball during his college years and nearly made it to the NBA before pivoting to enter service in the Army, after which he became the athletic director at a military installations in Fulda, Germany.

His knowledge, athleticism and mentorship skills were complemented by certifications such as an “A-License” as a basketball coach, and an “A-License” as a referee in Germany, as well as a FIBA basketball coach license.

These credentials have been instrumental in his success, allowing him to implement nontraditional strategies that focus on the entire team rather than individuals.

Mr. Ingram has been widely celebrated for his contributions to basketball and coaching throughout his career. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Life Time Fitness in 2024 and received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020.

Also a published author, his book "It's the Coach's Fault" reflects his belief that everyday life provides crucial coaching moments and underscores his commitment to mentoring young athletes.

Likewise, the book’s title reflects the early influences in his own life — his high school basketball coach, Dante Spizzirri, and his platoon sergeant, Medal of Honor Recipient James Bondsteel … — who acted as coaches and helped him become the man he is today.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Mr. Ingram enjoys reading and blogging to connect with others and share his life experiences.

He writes a small cancer blog to support others battling the disease, drawing on his own journey with prostate cancer to inspire resilience and hope in others.

Though his career counts numerous milestones and accolades, Mr. Ingram’s most cherished moments come when former players reach out to him years, or even decades after they parted ways.

Many have long since gotten married and now have children of their own, yet they have retained the life lessons their coach imparted on them.

Though he led many teams that won championships and medals, he feels proudest when reconnecting and learning how he impacted their lives as people.

Looking to the future, Mr. Ingram recently decided to reverse his retirement and remains dedicated to advancing opportunities for older players at Life Time Fitness. He continues to develop the league and has built a Facebook page to promote its progress.

His passion for basketball extends beyond coaching. In 2017, at the age of 67, he actively participated in tournaments with teams from all over the world and aims to create more opportunities for older players to engage in the sport they love.

That’s also when everything changed. His life has been an incredible journey of ups and downs, triumphs and defeats, and everything in between.

The Journey Video

https://youtu.be/h6Q4ilD448s?is=wgaUqJn13HyRkSj4

You can read all about it in his book …

“It’s the Coach’s Fault”

Purchase Paperback

https://store.bookbaby.com/book/it's-the-coach's-fault1

Purchase eBook

https://books.apple.com/us/book/its-the-coachs-fault/id6742160552