Ohio Valley Conference

Jim Ward

RICHMOND, Ky. -- Eastern Kentucky University baseball coach Jim Ward has resigned his position, effective Friday, May 25.

Ward recently completed his 22nd year as head baseball coach at Eastern as he led his Colonels to a third-place Ohio Valley Conference Tournament finish, a sixth-place regular-season standing and a 25-31 overall record.

"Coach Ward has made a lasting impact on Colonel baseball," said EKU Director of Athletics Chip Smith. "We are honored to have been part of his milestone 900th career and 600th EKU victories.

"He is an outstanding individual whose contributions to the University and Richmond community cannot be measured. We extend our best wishes to Jim, Judy and their family."

In 33 years of coaching Division I baseball, Ward compiled a 939-713 record, which included 11 seasons at Stetson where he went 311-185. His coaching record at Eastern included a final mark of 628-526.

His tenure at Eastern was highlighted by five Ohio Valley Conference regular season titles (1984, 1985, 1986, 1989 and 2000) and four OVC Tournament championships and four NCAA Regional Tournament appearances ('84, '85, '86 and '89).

He was also selected as the OVC Coach of the Year five times - 1982, 1987, 1988, 1989 and 2000. He has also coached five OVC Players of the Year, four All-Americans and 64 all-conference players.

In March, 2000, Ward was inducted into the Stetson University Baseball Hall of Fame.

A native of Cincinnati, OH, Ward earned his bachelors degree from Ohio University in 1961 and his masters degree from Eastern Kentucky in 1967.