Unanimous vote brings honor to NWC hoops coachIn only his second year as the head coach of the Northwest College men's basketball team, Andy Ward was unanimously voted the Region IX North coach of the year. Ward received the nod from all four of the other coaches in the north sub-region. “What this award symbolizes is not how many victories a coach delivers, but the professionalism one exhibits through the course of a season, and sometimes a career,” said Northwest College athletic director Jim Zeigler. “I believe it is more of an honor when the integrity, consistency and credibility of a coach shine through, despite a loss in the final game.”Ward's team posted a 16-15 mark this past season. The team fielded the Region IX North player of the year, two all-conference first team players and an all-conference second team selection.“Andy is a stand-up guy,” Zeigler said. “His students are well mannered. He never compromises on integrity. He does things the right way. He has consistently demonstrated these qualities, not just during this year. A heart-wrenching loss cut short his team's championship aspirations, but it didn't prevent Andy's peers from clearly seeing the worth of this man. I'm proud to be associated with him.”Before signing on with Northwest College in 2007, Ward coached at Eastern Wyoming College. Under his direction, the Lancers posted their best season in history. Ward's teams captured the Region IX title and advanced to the national tournament twice in five years, including an eighth-place finish at the NJCAA national championship tournament.

Unanimous vote brings honor to NWC hoops coach

In only his second year as the head coach of the Northwest College men's basketball team, Andy Ward was unanimously voted the Region IX North coach of the year. Ward received the nod from all four of the other coaches in the north sub-region.

“What this award symbolizes is not how many victories a coach delivers, but the professionalism one exhibits through the course of a season, and sometimes a career,” said Northwest College athletic director Jim Zeigler. “I believe it is more of an honor when the integrity, consistency and credibility of a coach shine through, despite a loss in the final game.”

Ward's team posted a 16-15 mark this past season. The team fielded the Region IX North player of the year, two all-conference first team players and an all-conference second team selection.

“Andy is a stand-up guy,” Zeigler said. “His students are well mannered. He never compromises on integrity. He does things the right way. He has consistently demonstrated these qualities, not just during this year. A heart-wrenching loss cut short his team's championship aspirations, but it didn't prevent Andy's peers from clearly seeing the worth of this man. I'm proud to be associated with him.”

Before signing on with Northwest College in 2007, Ward coached at Eastern Wyoming College. Under his direction, the Lancers posted their best season in history. Ward's teams captured the Region IX title and advanced to the national tournament twice in five years, including an eighth-place finish at the NJCAA national championship tournament.