SPOKANE, Wash. - Keith Ward is stepping down as the head baseball coach at Whitworth University having concluded his eleventh season coaching the Pirates, according to Whitworth Director of Athletics Dr. Scott McQuilkin.
“No one has served Whitworth Athletics more than Keith Ward,” said McQuilkin. “For 11 years Keith led our program with class and integrity. We are losing a coach appreciated by all in our department.” Ward had a record of 177-252-1 in his 11 seasons at Whitworth, including a record of 13-27 this season, which concluded with yesterday’s doubleheader at Whitman. Ward coached the Pirates to second place finishes in the Northwest Conference in both 2001 and 2002 . Ward, who is an elementary school physical education teacher in the Mead School District, has coached on a part time basis at Whitworth since his hiring for the 1998 season. “I've enjoyed my 11 years as the head coach of the baseball program at the university that I love,” said Ward, who played second base for the Pirates and graduated in 1981. “I don't have the energy to do the job the way I once did and it's time for someone else to lead the program. I will always be the biggest supporter of Whitworth Baseball.” “Keith has made sacrifices since 1997 to be our head coach, and I am sure I don’t even know the half of those sacrifices in time and energy,” said McQuilkin. “Keith gave us a full time commitment despite everything else he had going on.” Whitworth will begin the search for its new baseball coach immediately, according to McQuilkin. |
