The former athletic director at the Westminster School, is now retired after an outstanding 22-year career as an athletic administrator. Prior to entering the field of athletic administration, Bob served as the Head basketball coach at Westminster from 1979–1982.
Ward is a charter member of the Georgia Athletic Directors Association and was the first Athletic Director in Georgia to receive the distinction of Certified Athletic Administrator. Bob has received numerous other awards for his outstanding service to Athletic Administration. He was named Region Athletic Director of the Year in 1991 and 1997. In 1997, Bob was named Georgia Athletic Director of the Year. He received the NIAAA State Award of Merit in 1998 and was inducted into the Westminster Hall of Fame in that same year. In 2000, Ward was the first athletic director to receive the GACA, Circle of Achievement Award.
During Bob’s tenure as athletic director, the athletic programs at Westminster experienced a period of tremendous success. The school won 139 Region/Area Championships, 73 State Championships, developed the first student athletic handbook, the first coaches’ athletic policy handbook and completed the Turner Gym. Ward was also instrumental in the school adding lacrosse, ultimate Frisbee, flag football, and water polo.
Ward is also involved in many civic activities in the Atlanta area. He has served as a board member for Athletes for a Better World, The GACA Coaches Hall of Fame selection committee, Sports Champions of Greater Atlanta, and the gymnasium at Wieuca Road Church is named the J. Robert Ward Activities Building for his contribution to the youth in North Atlanta.
