UM MEN'S TRACK AND CROSS COUNTRY COACH RETIRES
July 11, 2008
Coral Gables, Fla.— Mike Ward, who has served the past 16 years as an assistant and head coach in the University of Miami’s track and cross country programs, has announced his retirement effective today, July 11.
Ward has been head coach of the men’s track and field program for the past 11 seasons. Over the past 16 years, he has been the head coach of the men’s and women’s cross country teams.
Under Ward’s guidance, the UM track and field program won 30 individual and relay conference titles and produced six All-Americans. Included among those award winners is senior Tim Harris, who has won a total of six ACC Indoor and Outdoor 800-meter events.
“I would like to thank Paul Dee, who was the Athletic Director at the time, for giving me the opportunity to become head coach,” Ward said. “I also need to thank Rodney Price who I worked for as an assistant and was the head coach before me.
“The student-athletes need to be thanked and recognized for their hard work and success both academically and athletically. The University of Miami is a special place and I enjoyed every minute. I will always be a Hurricane.”
“In the short time I have known Mike, I have seen his dedication to his student-athletes and his competitive spirit,” said UM Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt. “On behalf of our entire athletics department, we thank Mike for his tremendous leadership and service and congratulate him on his many accomplishments.”
After being an assistant coach with the men’s team for five years, he was elevated to head coach prior to the start of the 1998 season and led the squad to one of the most successful campaigns in school history. Ward coached Davian Clarke to Miami’s first indoor national title as Clarke won the 400-meter event at that year’s NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championship, where the Hurricanes finished 19th at the meet. Clarke went on from that event to be named an All-American on six occasions in addition to being a part of Jamaica’s bronze medal winning 4×100-meter relay team at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta in addition
Throughout his tenure, Ward has also had tremendous success working with many of the Hurricanes’ top football players. He has coached 15 players who went on to NFL careers, including 10 first round draft choices.
Through Ward’s guidance, his teams have also always excelled in academics as well as athletics. Recently, the men’s track and cross country teams were recognized with the NCAA Public Recognition Award presented to those teams that have a Division I Academic Progress Report (APR) in the top 10 percent of all squads in their respective sport.
Prior to joining the UM staff, Ward was a personal trainer for roadrunners and track athletes. From 1980-85 he was head coach of the Howard County (Md.) Youth Cross Country Team and directed the squad to an East Coast Championship and numerous local and regional titles.
A 1977 graduate of the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, Ward was a three-time All-Mason-Dixon Conference selection. During his collegiate career, he set school records in the two-mile, three-mile and six-mile events.
Ward resides in South Miami with his wife, the former Susan Page, and their 13-year old son Brooks.
