The Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) has officially announced head men’s tennis coach Craig Ward as their selection for the 2012 Jim Verdieck College Coach of the Year Award. Ward received this news just days after receiving the news that his team was chosen as the preseason favorites to win the inaugural Great American Conference championship.
Ward was honored to receive the award, saying, “Jim Verdieck was a man of impeccable character and professionalism. I am very flattered to receive this award. It is a reflection of the friends, family, and players I have learned from over the years.”
Ward has more than 250 wins during his tenure as the head coach of the men’s tennis program at Ouachita. During his time, he has coached 24 All-Americans, 31 Academic All-Americans and six Academic All-American Teams. He has also coached his team to No. 1 in the national rankings twice while appearing in the NCAA Division II Final Four twice. Ward’s Tigers have also finished the season 12 times when ranked nationally in the top 10.
In 2004, Ward’s Tigers were awarded the National Team Sportsmanship Award by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
Ward’s list of achievements at Ouachita doesn’t end there though. Ward has also been named Intercollegiate National Coach of they Year and USPTA College Coach of the Year in previous years. He is a member of the Arkansas Tennis Hall of Fame and was named PTR Arkansas Member of the year while also receiving the National USTA/ITA Community Service Award.
Ouachita’s President, Dr. Rex Horne said, “Craig Ward is a great asset to our men’s tennis team but also to our entire university. His years of service has built both great teams and fine men. We all congratulate Craig on an award that is richly deserved.”
PTR’s mission statement says, “PTR is the largest global organization of tennis teaching professionals with more than 14,000 members in 117 countries. It has the greatest percentage of multicultural and women members of any such organization. PTR is dedicated to educating, certifying and servicing tennis teachers and coaches around the world in order to grow the game.”
The award will be presented at the 2012 PTR National Symposium on February 24-28 in Orlando, Florida.
