[Golf] Matt Ward Named Hawks Men's & Women's Head Golf Coach

SANTEE, Calif. – San Diego Christian College Athletic Director, Carolyn Peters, has announced that Matt Ward, has been named the new women's and men's head golf coach. Matt will officially be joining the Hawks staff on May 24.

"We are blessed to have the opportunity to begin a new collegiate golf program in one of the world's premier golf locations, San Diego," said Peters. "We are equally blessed to be able to hire an experienced, full-time coach to get our teams off the ground and quickly develop them into contenders. After an exhaustive search, I am excited to announce the addition of Matt Ward, as the Hawks women's and men's head golf coach. Matt possesses the combination of character, knowledge, and faith that we were looking for to lead our program."

Ward has been involved with the game of golf for over 20 years. His first coaching position was an assistant with the men's and women's golf programs at Jamestown College (N.D.). He spent two years as an assistant coach at Minnesota State, where he helped the Mavericks qualify for the 2010 NCAA Div. II National Championships. Ward also served four seasons as the head men's golf coach at Colorado Mesa University. During his tenure there, CMU teams qualified an individual for the NCAA Division II Super Regional Tournament in three of his four seasons at the helm. The team also earned the Golf Coaches Association of America's All-Academic Team President's Special Recognition Award in two seasons and had six GCAA All-America Scholars.

Ward was most recently the men's and women's head coach at Texas A&M – Commerce, where he led the men to two team tournament wins and a runner-up finish in the Lone Star Conference. Ward was also able to guide the women's team to 10 straight top-5 tournament finishes, their first-ever post-season berth and improved their national rank from 90 to 27 in just one season.

"I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of the SDC athletic team! Being given the opportunity to start a program from scratch is a very exciting thing for any coach and I couldn't be more excited for this challenge," said Ward. "I am a firm believer that God has led me down this path to SDC.  Being a coach has a tremendous responsibility associated with it and this platform will give me a chance to have an impact on the lives of young athletes. It will allow them to learn a variety of skills that will help them in the real world, all while growing in their personal journey with Jesus Christ. I would like to thank Carolyn Peters and SDC President Dr. Kevin Corsini for giving me this opportunity.  I am grateful that they have entrusted me with this program and believe that great things are ahead for SDC golf."

In addition to his coaching experience, Ward has worked as a teaching professional, a professional caddy and in sales with Taylor Made Golf. He was a guest lecturer at the University and Minnesota and taught several community education programs in the Twin Cities, Minnesota area. Ward will serve as an Adjunct Professor in the San Diego Christian College Kinesiology Department in addition to his coaching duties.

Ward earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Recreation, Park and Leisure Studies from the University of Minnesota after serving in the United States Air Force. He earned a Master of Liberal Studies from the University of Minnesota and completed a Master of Science Degree in Sport Management from Minnesota State.

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