Josh Ward has been named the next SUNY Canton Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Director of Athletics Randy B. Sieminski announced on Monday.
“Josh’s strong recruiting abilities and professionalism helped him stand out among a large number of applicants in a national search,” Sieminski said. “He has proven experience with multiple NCAA Division III programs and has learned the ins and outs of running a successful collegiate team from two top head coaches who have been in the business nearly 40 years. Josh also has experience as a coach at the AAU level and his personality and work ethic will serve him well as he helps to guide our program into play in the North Atlantic Conference this season.”
Ward comes to SUNY Canton after spending the past season as the top assistant with the Adrian College women’s basketball program. He assisted Head Coach Kathy Morris with day-to-day operations of the program including recruiting, film exchange, game plans, scouting, player development, and the team’s weight training program.
“I cannot express how excited I am to be the new head coach at SUNY Canton,” Ward said. “I want to thank Randy Sieminski, Nate Hart and the rest of the search committee for believing in me and trusting me to take the reins of this great program. SUNY Canton is a great place to get a first class education and has a top notch athletic department so the choice for me to come here was an easy one. I am thrilled to meet the team and begin working toward the upcoming season.”
Prior to joining the Bulldogs, Ward spent two seasons as an assistant coach with the University of Mount Union women’s basketball team. While with the Purple Raiders, he assisted Head Coach Suzy Venet in all facets of the day-to-day operations for the program. He helped Mount Union to the 2016 Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) championship and coached OAC Player of the Year and All-American Annie Bova and second-team all-conference honoree Katie Reed. The team finished the 2015-16 season with a 20-8 overall record including an NCAA Tournament berth.
Ward’s other coaching experience includes Penn (Ohio) Athletic Club girls’ coach (2015), University of Pittsburgh at Titusville men’s assistant coach (2014-15) and Hermitage School District (HSD) varsity boys’ assistant coach (2012-14).
Ward started his collegiate basketball playing career at NCAA Division III Thiel College before transferring to Division II Ohio Valley University in Vienna, W.Va. He played the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons with the Fighting Scots.
Ward received his Bachelor’s degree in Wellness Education from OVU in 2011. He earned his Master’s degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion from California University of Pennsylvania in 2014.
Photo Courtesy SUNY Canton Athletics
https://rooathletics.com/news/2018/8/27/ward-named-next-head-womens-basketball-coach.aspx
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