Track and Field Media Guide

Ben H. Ward, Throws Coach
Coach Profiles
Ward, a 40-plus year veteran of the Chicago Public Schools, has coached champion throwers at
Loyola University, the University of Chicago, and Chicago State University. At John Marshall High
School in Chicago, he served as head coach of the football, wrestling, and track teams. For many
years he served as a track clinician for the Chicago Board of Education.
Last season Coach Ward coached North Park athletes Kevin Adams, Lucas DeJong, and Matt
Cappetta to individual CCIW Top-10 performances. Adams took third in the javelin throw, while
DeJong took sixth in both the shot put and discus, and Cappetta finished eighth in the hammer
throw.
Coach Ward is a graduate of Marshall H.S. He holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Eastern
Illinois University, a master’s degree in Education from Loyola University and a State of Illinois
Type 75 Administration Certificate.
Not only has he coached teams to numerous championships, but Coach Ward is a champion himself.
He is a Hall of Fame member at Marshall H.S., Eastern Illinois University (EIU) and the Illinois Football Coaches Association.
His shot put record at EIU went unbroken for 23 years. As a member of the University of Chicago Track Club, he has won many
events and has been featured in local media on numerous occasions.
Married for over 38 years, Coach Ward has four adult children, one son-in-law, and one grandchild. He is a long time resident of
Chicago and is active in his community via his fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Ryan McAdam, Jumps Coach
Coach McAdam is in his first year with the Viking program. He joins the staff after spending a
year at Lane Tech High School. Coach McAdam will be in charge of the long jump and triple jump
athletes and also assist in the daily practices for the sprinters. While at Lane Tech H.S., Coach
McAdam coached qualifiers for the state meet in girl’s long jump, shot put, and discus as well
as boy’s shot put, discus, long jump and relays. Coach McAdam received his bachelor’s degree
in mathematics from University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and his Secondary Education
Certification from Millikin University. He currently is employed as a secondary educator at Lane
Tech H.S.
While in college, Coach McAdam competed for the Fighting Illini Track and Field Program. There
he posted personal bests in the long jump (23’7”) and triple jump (48’3”). He also competed for
Millikin University at the NCAA Division III level. Coach McAdam continues to compete in USATF
sanctioned competitions during the summer months, most recently
having won the Region 9 Men’s Open Decathlon (2007).
Coach Decker on McAdam: “Coach McAdam is going to bring a wealth of knowledge in the long and triple jumps to the program.
He will be a great asset as we begin to grow and recruit jumpers who will have an impact at the CCIW meet. His knowledge of
speed and power development will also be very useful in the development of the sprint crew at North Park University.”
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