Ellis Ward

Ellis F. Ward (September 13, 1846 – August 25, 1922) was an American rower and coach best known for his time as the coach of the University of Pennsylvania rowing team. Ward was a member of one of the most famous families, the Ward Brothers, in the history of the sport of rowing and is a member of the Rowing Hall of Fame.

Early life Ward was born in Newburgh, New York on September 13, 1846, the son of Isaac and Winifred Ward. Ellis Ward grew up in a large family of rowing enthusiasts. Ward and his eight brothers rowed regularly in the Hudson River's Newburgh Bay from the 1850s through the 1870s.

Coaching career Ward's first position in college coaching was in 1873 at Amherst College. This was one of many teams he coached during the 1870s and 1880s including a number of non-collegiate boat clubs, including the Columbia Boat Club in Washington, D.C., the Fairmount Boat Club of Philadelphia, and the Bohemian Boat Club of New York City.

Substitution controversy Ward continued to coach Penn until 1892. Before the college championship of America, he felt the varsity was not giving their best efforts. Ward removed the entire varsity crew and the second string of eight rowers. Wards team of substitutes won the college championship of America, on Saratoga Lake. This controversy may have had something to do with his departure from Penn at about that time. Another factor may have been the university was starting to take over the funding and oversight of Penn athletics. Whatever the reason George Washington Woodruff became coach of both football and crew.

After coaching Ward left his position as rowing coach in 1912. He supported himself and his wife Martha by working with his son making oars.

Ward died on August 25, 1922, in Philadelphia.