Hakeem Ward
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- Title:
- Assistant Coach
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- Phone:
- 805-289-6139
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- Years at VC:
- 6th Year
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- Associate's Degree:
- A.A., Ventura College, 1996
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- Bachelor's Degree:
- B.A., University of San Francisco, 1998
Hakeem Ward has returned "home" to Ventura College where he was known for his intense hardworking mentality. He brings that mentality and drive along with many other great attributes to the sidelines now in his sixth year as an assistant coach wit the Pirates. He has helped lead VC to a 90-59 record over the past five seasons, including Western State Conference championships in 2013 and 2016. Before his return to his We Play Hard roots, Ward spent the five years honing his coaching skills with two AAU clubs, the Passaic All-Stars and the Wayne Wolfpack, both in New Jersey.
Before pursuing coaching as a profession, Ward had a long and fruitful playing career. He played under lhall of fame VC coach Phil Mathews from 1994-1996. In his freshman season he helped lead the Pirates to the California state title and he earned the honor of being named California co-Player of the Year. He followed up with another great season his sophomore year where he was named the MVP of the State Tournament in leading VC to another title game victory.
Following his career with the Pirates, Ward traveled north to play for the University of San Francisco, following Coach Mathews who had left to coach the Dons a year earlier. In his two seasons at USF he earned all West Coast Conference honors twice and was named the WCC Tournament Most Valuable Player his senior year. Also in his senior season, Ward led USF into the 1998 NCAA Tournament, where they fell to the eventual National Champion, the University of Utah.
Upon finishing his college career Ward followed his professional basketball dreams overseas. He spent a total of seven years playing throughout Europe, with most of his time spent in the Spanish professional league.
In 2011, Ward was inducted into the Ventura College Athletic Hall of Fame, and is thrilled to have the chance to return to assist the VC basketball program. He has great respect for the tradition he and his fellow teammates worked so hard to create. His experience, leadership skills, and ability to work well with players make him a great asset for Coach Ramirez to have on staff.