Great student-athletes have come to WPI from all over the
country and the world. The Engineers football program, however,
didn’t have to go that far to find an outstanding running
back. In fact, Ernie Ansah was living right here in Worcester.
Coming off a strong 1991 season, optimism was high for WPI in
1992. Ansah delivered right off the bat and was named Freedom
Football Conference Rookie of the Year and two-time ECAC Rookie of
the Week while gaining 680 yards on the ground and scoring five
touchdowns. The rookie teamed with fellow Hall of Famer Jason
Wooley to give the Engineers one of the most feared running back
combos on the East Coast. WPI swept through the FFC and earned the
program’s first-ever bid to the NCAA Championships.
During his sophomore year, Ansah helped the team again run
through the Freedom Football Conference with a perfect 5-0 record
under new head coach Kevin Morris. He contributed to the WPI attack
with a rushing and a receiving touchdown. The following season saw
Ansah make a major breakthrough. In his junior season he amassed a
total of 910 yards on the ground—the eighth best in school
history—and scored 10 touchdowns. Ansah earned first-team
Freedom Football Conference honors and was an ECAC all-star. Again
the Engineers enjoyed success on the field as they posted a winning
season for the sixth straight year, tying the best stretch in
program history.
Ansah concluded his standout career by scampering for 876 yards
and five touchdowns during his senior campaign in 1995. He proved
his versatility by posting career-high receiving numbers of 27
catches for 154 yards. For the second straight year, Ansah drew
first-team FFC honors and was twice tabbed as the circuit’s
Player of the Week.
The WPI record book still has Ansah’s name splashed all
over it. His 2,698 yards career rushing yards rank him fourth
all-time, while his 138 points, including 22 total touchdowns, are
the ninth all-time in program history.
“Ernie’s power and athleticism made him a threat
every time he touched the ball,” said Hall of Famer Brian
Learned. “He was talented in all facets—he was a
powerful runner between the tackles, he could turn the corner with
ease, and he was so agile catching out of the backfield. Ernie was
a very complete back.”
Ansah graduated from WPI in the spring of 1996 with a degree in
mechanical engineering with biomedical interests.
He currently is the Quality Manager of Clinical Business
Operations for Waters Corporation in Milford. Ernie and wife,
Natalie, live in Plymouth with their children, Keenan and
Isabel.
