The Indian Hill School District congratulates Indian Hill Varsity Tennis Program Director and Coach Wade Ward named National Federation of High School Coaches Ohio Girls Tennis Coach of the Year. As the varsity coach for the girls, Coach Ward won the Division 2 Team State Championship in 2023, after having an undefeated season, beating the Division 1 State Champions twice. As the varsity coach for the boys, Coach Ward has won two Division 2 Team State Championships (2022 and 2024) and been runner-up twice (2018 and 2021), also winning a Singles State Championship in 2018 (Andrew Pregel) and a doubles State Championship in 2022 (Tejas Pisati and RJ Poffenberger).
“The Indian Hill tennis program continues to be a dominant program for not only our school, but in the city of Cincinnati and the state of Ohio,” said Indian Hill Athletic Director Brian Phelps. “We are lucky to have such a great staff led by Coach Wade Ward! I appreciate the time and passion that Wade pours into our program and the love that he has for our school and community. We are lucky to have such an accomplished coach leading both our girls and boys programs here at Indian Hill.”
Ward has more than 30 years of tennis experience, growing up playing, and competing in the NCAA at the University of Toledo. Ward went on to coach college-level athletes at the University of South Alabama, and has served the Indian Hill School District as the Varsity Boys Tennis Coach since 2016 and the Varsity Girls Tennis Coach since 2020, with both teams earning winning seasons every year that Ward has coached. During his tenure as a Brave, Ward has been named CHL Coach of the Year 10 times and the Greater Cincinnati Tennis Coach of the Year six times.
“I graduated from Indian Hill in 2004. During my time as a Brave, I was part of the varsity tennis team, where we won numerous state championships. I had the opportunity to play alongside great players and learn from great coaches,” said Ward. “It’s a privilege to now have the opportunity to be a coach and mentor to Indian Hill’s next generation of great tennis players. I am passionate about developing and empowering young athletes, fostering a positive and supportive team culture, and achieving outstanding results. It has also been very cool to step into a new role as a Brave, from student athlete to coach, and be able to coach with my former coach, Adam Wolter. I have great pride leading these young athletes and being able to coach them and continue to create a great tennis experience at Indian Hill. It has been a full circle experience and a great way to give back to Indian Hill and continue to be a part of this amazing community.”
Photo caption: Indian Hill Coach Wade Ward (center) standing with Coach Adam Wolter (left) and Coach Mike Piergalski (right).