Ellen Lawrence established herself as a pioneering figure in Ohio girls' high school athletics, dedicating over two decades to developing and advancing girls' sports programs at Shelby High School. In 1973, she founded the school's first girls' sports teams, introducing volleyball, basketball, tennis, and track programs.

For the first three years, Lawrence handled scheduling, official coordination, and facility management without compensation, and continued with minimal pay for several more years. She successfully advocated for later game times to accommodate working parents and established regular Tuesday and Saturday game schedules, helping to normalize girls' sports in the school calendar.

As head basketball coach from 1973 to 1996, Lawrence compiled an impressive 338-147 record (.697 winning percentage). Her teams achieved consistent success, highlighted by winning the 1993 OHSAA State Championship and finishing as state runner-up in 1992. Her coaching excellence was recognized with the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association (OHSBCA) Coach of the Year award in 1992.

Beyond coaching, Lawrence served as Shelby's girls' athletic director for 12 years, working to build and strengthen the overall girls' athletic program. Her leadership extended beyond basketball, as she worked to ensure equal opportunities and resources for female athletes across all sports.

Lawrence's impact on Ohio girls' basketball is particularly noteworthy as she helped establish competitive standards during the early years following Title IX's implementation. Her 1993 state championship team, which included future Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Jodi Roth, demonstrated the high level of play that could be achieved through dedicated program building and coaching.

The success of Shelby's girls' basketball program under Lawrence's leadership helped pave the way for expanded opportunities in girls' sports throughout north central Ohio. Her legacy continues to influence the program today, with subsequent coaches building upon the foundation she established during her 23-year tenure as head coach.