Allen Ward Position: Director of Athletics Institution: Murray State University

Allen Ward, 40, a native of Rolla, Missouri, is in his third year as the director of athletics at Murray State. Before taking over at Murray State, Ward was at North Texas, where he served in numerous capacities for over 14 years, including his last six years as senior associate athletics director.

Ward joined the Murray State athletics staff as its director on March 30, 2005. Since his arrival, there has been a prevailing theme that has symbolized his administration: steady and significant progress.

Ward continues to emphasize the importance of building a well-balance program, one that excels in the classroom as well as in athletic competition. In 2006-07, two teams captured OVC Team Academic Achievement Award, nine teams had over a 3.0 team GPA, two athletes earned OVC Scholar Athlete of the Year awards for their respective sports, and 24 percent of all student-athletes were named to the dean's list.

Under Ward's leadership, the resources needed to create an environment in which MSU student-athletes can achieve at the highest level are being provided. Stewart Stadium has new artificial playing surface, play clocks, and goal posts. The track team runs on a newly resurfaced track. Student-athletes work out in a weight room with brand new state-of-the-art equipment, the Weaver Academic Center features thirty new personal computers to assist student-athletes with their academic endeavors and construction will begin in the fall on a new locker room complex for the women's soccer, and men's and women's tennis teams.

Ward earned his bachelor's degree is a 1989 from William Jewel College. He then went on to earn a master's degree in sports administration from Wichita State.

Ward and his wife, Sharon, have two children: a nine-year-old son, Nathan and a six-year-old daughter, Nicole.