Tom Ward enters his third season as an assistant coach for Kent State in 2010-11, working primarily with the gymnasts on vault, bars and floor with head coach Brice Biggin.

Ward has accomplished much in the short period of time since his hiring in July 2008, mentoring six Mid-American Conference champions, six All-MAC selections, 20 MAC Gymnasts or Specialists of the Week, four All-MAC Scholar Athlete of the Year honorees and eight Academic All-MAC selections. As a team, the Golden Flashes have captured two undefeated MAC regular season titles and one conference championship meet crown.

The former KSU men's gymnastics team captain helped tutor Christine Abou-Mitri into the school's first MAC Gymnast of the Year in 2010 while Erin Rothrock (bars) and Christina Lenny (vault, floor) captured conference gold. The successes of 2010 followed a 2009 campaign in which Lenny became an NCAA National All-Around Qualifier and Lydia Barrett and Laci Hendress became MAC co-champions on floor under his watch.

Ward has proven to have the eye for recruiting top talent, landing 2010 MAC Freshman of the Year candidate Rachel Guida and 2010 KSU Vault Performer of the Year Lauren Wozniak.

Before joining the Kent State gymnastics coaching staff, Ward was a private club coach/owner in Ohio and Florida for 17 years. Ward competed in the all-around for the Golden Flashes from 1988-91.

Ward and his wife of 12 years, Tonya, reside in Kent with their 4-year old daughter Kendra.