Ithaca Women's Cross Country Coach Bill Ware Honored by NYSCTC
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Ithaca women’s cross country head coach Bill Ware was honored by the New York State Collegiate Track Conference Saturday with the 2010 NYSCTC Lifetime Service Award.
Inducted into the Ithaca College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988, Ware is in his 23rd season at the helm of Ithaca women’s cross country. He first coached the team from 1982-91, then returned to the team in 1998. In his past 22 seasons as the women’s head coach he has led the team to nationals 18 times, including consecutive appearances from 1984-91 and 2000-09.
In 2000, Ware received state coach of the year honors, and in 2001 he received state and region coach of the year accolades. In 2003 he was named state coach of the year. Ware was named Empire 8 Coach of the Year in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
A former assistant professor in the School of Health Sciences and Human Performance, Ware has led the women’s cross country team to five top-four performances at the NCAA championships, including a second place finish in 1986. Ware has guided 13 different athletes to 20 cross country all-American honors at Ithaca.
Ware’s other coaching responsibilities at Ithaca have included a 16-year stint as men’s varsity swimming coach, nine seasons as the men’s cross country coach, one season as women’s swimming coach and men’s lacrosse coaching duties from 1967-77.