Getting to Know... Coach Mike Ward
October 27, 2006
Visit theACC.com for the full profile on Coach Ward.
Mike Ward
University of Miami
Head Coach, Men’s Cross Country and Men’s Track & Field
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
Favorite Flavor of Ice Cream: Vanilla
The University of Miami Men’s Cross Country team has earned All-Academic distinction by the USCCCA the last two seasons. The Hurricanes had a 3.52 GPA to rank third in the nation last season. In 2004 Miami ranked second in the nation with a 3.50 GPA. Miami is the only school in the country to have a team GPA of 3.50 or better each of the last two seasons.
Were you an athlete in high school or college?
Yes, in high school and in college. I went to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) for undergrad, where I ran and then I went to the University of Maryland, College Park for graduate school.
How did you get started in coaching cross country?
I just had a desire for running all through my lifetime, starting in high school and continuing through college and then (into) post-collegiate competition. It’s a life-long affair with the sport of running and racing.
My first coaching job was the year after I graduated from UMBC, I coached in the first year women’s track program at UMBC. I was there for about a year. I coached high school for a year; I coached kids for about four or five years. Then I got down here and I’ve been here for 15 years.
What has been your greatest accomplishment so far as a coach?
As a coach, probably side-by-side, I’ve had a national champion in the 400 meters and a number of All-Americans in 800 meters. And then on the other side of that, just seeing kids being successful when they graduate, I guess you could say.
What do you still hope to accomplish in the future?
Trying to get kids to the top level they can be at and then getting kids to be successful once they leave the university.
Who was your most influential role model in sports?
There probably really isn’t one. More so, just my father, in terms of really everything, so I guess sports as well.
What was the best advice you ever received from a coach?
Be yourself. Coach using your own philosophy and just be yourself. Do the things that you think are important and be yourself. Don’t try to be anything but (yourself) in your coaching. Be yourself, coach your own philosophy, those kinds of things.
What’s your most memorable moment in sports?
In sports, I would have to say personally, when I was at UMBC, we won the Mason-Dixon Cross Country Championship. And then as a coach, probably my athlete winning the National Championship in the 400 meters my first year at the University of Miami.
Why did you choose to coach at Miami?
With my personal things that I like; I grew up around the Atlantic Ocean. I enjoy having opportunities to be outside all the time. Miami provided those kinds things, as well as having good sports and academic reputation.
What are some of the factors that have led to your teams’ academic success?
I think the most important factors are: One, we recruit outstanding student-athletes. Two, we expect success in the classroom and we reinforce it through our academic sources in athletics, as well as our coaching staff.
