McKendree Ward begins her first season as head coach of the Quincy University softball program in 2027, becoming the 11th head coach in program history.
Ward arrives in Quincy after three successful seasons as head coach at Oakland City University, where she compiled a 97-62 overall record. She led the Mighty Oaks to 30 or more victories in each of her three seasons, including a program-record 36-18 mark in 2026. That season, Oakland City captured the River States Conference regular season championship while setting program records for wins and team batting average (.362). For her efforts, Ward was named the 2026 River States Conference Coach of the Year.
A native of Newburgh, Indiana, Ward enjoyed a standout playing career at Oakland City. A five-year member of the softball program at third base, she earned NCCAA Second Team All-America honors while being named to the NCCAA All-Region Team in 2019, 2022, and 2023. She was also a two-time NCCAA All-Tournament Team selection (2022 and 2023), earned River States Conference First Team All-Conference recognition, and graduated as Oakland City's all-time career RBI leader with 136. Ward also competed for two seasons on the university's women's basketball team as a guard.
Ward earned a Bachelor of Arts in communications in 2022 before completing a Master of Science in strategic management and leadership in 2023, both from Oakland City University.
Outside of coaching, Ward enjoys watching sports and spending time with family and friends. A passionate sports fan, she is an avid supporter of the University of Tennessee and follows both the WNBA and Athletes Unlimited Softball League.
