IADA Hall of Fame

Ward was involved in the field of education for thirty-eight years. The first seven years were at Lyndon High School and the next thirty-one at Antioch High School, thirty of those years were as athletic director (1956-1987). Ward was involved in athletics during a time of change and innovation. Antioch High School offered four sports a year his first year and had twenty when he retired. While at Antioch he added wrestling, golf, cross country, and soccer to the boys athletic program. He created the entire girls athletic program (eleven sports)along with the additional budget and monetary items needed to successfully run those programs. Ward's work efforts touched many groups. Locally he was involved with the Loins Club, VFW Lutheran Church and VA hospital. He helped start both little league and Viking youth football programs in Antioch. He was recognized as the "Antioch Viking Football Man of the Year in 1980". At the state level, Ward was a common fixture at IHSA and IADA activities. He worked the IHSA State Wrestling Meet for the last thirty-one years. He served as an announcer, timer, and scorer. He hosted numerous IHSA tournaments. He served on the IHSA Wrestling Advisory Board from 1985-87. The IADA was lucky to have such an involved member as Ward, He served as a District Representative, Convention Presenter, 1983 Program Chairman and in 1985 he was chosen as the "IADA Athletic Director if the Year. At the national level, Ward presented at the national convention three times and worked on the set-up committee in 1987, when the National Convention was held in Chicago. Ward may have retired from the athletic administration in 1987, but remained active with IADA, IHSA, and the NIAAA. He served on the IADA Executive Board as a retired liaison, chaired the NIAAA 50/50 raffle, continued to volunteer at state tournaments, and wrote numerous articles for the IADA and IHSA newsletter. Ward still attends both state and national conventions. Ward was a valuable resource to athletic directors in the Northern Illinois area. He always willing to take time and provide the information needed. Many successful athletic directors today are due to the fact that they were tutored by Ward Leer.