Ellis F Ward was an American rower and coach best known for his time as the coach of the University of Pennsylvania rowing team.
13 Facts About Ellis Ward
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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.
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Ellis Ward was born in Newburgh, New York on September 13,1846, the son of Isaac and Winifred Ellis Ward.
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Ellis Ward grew up in a large family of rowing enthusiasts.
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At age 17, Ellis Ward took up competitive racing soon he joined three of his brothers to race as a team; included in their many wins included the 1865 professional four-oared championship of America with a hard-fought victory over the Biglin Brothers.
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In 1879, Ellis Ward began coaching crew at Penn position he would hold off and on until 1912.
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In 1887 Ellis Ward resigned for the season because of controversy over the stroke he trained his athletes to use, but he returned the following season.
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Ellis Ward was replaced for the 1897 season by Samuel Powel, Jr.
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Ellis Ward removed the entire varsity crew and the second string of eight rowers.
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From 1892 until 1895 Ellis Ward was absent for a four-year period when he trained rowers at the Manhattan Athletic Club in New York City.
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Woodruff did not have enough time to supervise both sports and Ellis Ward was hired by the university in 1896.
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Ellis Ward had to change its strategy since the Penn Crew had to row a far shorter distance than they were used to.
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Ellis Ward supported himself and his wife Martha by working with his son making oars.