Coach Ward

Coach Mike Ward retired from the University of Miami where he held the  position of head Men's Cross Country and Track & Field coach in addition to the associate Women's Cross-Country and Track & Field Coach.  Coach Ward completed his 16 years at the University of Miami, with eleven years as the Head Coach.

Coach Ward has 40 years of personal running experience and over 25 years of coaching experience.  He is currently certified with USA Track & Field as a Level II Coach for Endurance.  Currently the only coach in the South Florida area to hold this certification

At the University of Miami, Ward's athletes rewrote the record book in all running events.  Coach Ward coached Davian Clarke, a three time Olympian for Jamaica, to the 400m NCAA National Championship.  In 1998, Ward's first year as Head Coach, he was named Big East Coach of the Year.  In the 800m, Ward coached Ronalde Thorne to 1:46.66 in two years at the Univ. of Miami.  His previous bests was 1:52.  Thorne was an All-American and named Big East Track Athlete of the Year.  Tim Harris, 2008 US Olympic Trials runner, ran 1:47.10 in the 800m winning six ACC 800m championships and becoming a 5 time All-American.  In the short sprints, Ward coached up to 20 football players currently playing in the NFL, which include the likes of Santana Moss, Ed Reed, Clinton Portis, Reggie Wayne, and Andre Johnson.

Coach Ward was instrumental in the development of two athletes making the US Olympic Trials in the marathon.  Melanie Peters in 2008 (2:45 @ Tampa) and Nick Gramsky (2:21 @ Chicago) in 2004.  Coach Ward takes extreme pride in the development of his athletes.  Examples of athletes development under Coach ward include, Melanie Peters, 5:30 high school miler, at the Univ. of Miami running 4:45 indoor mile and 16:40 5000m on the track, Matt Mulvaney a 4:45 miler in high school, ran 30:20 for 10,000m on the track, and Richard Bernard a 1:58 800m runner in high school, ran 1:51 at the Univ. of Miami.

Coach Ward's adults continue to set personal bests and some have qualified for the Boston Marathon.  From the beginning to advanced runner, Coach Ward can help you achieve your best.