From the minute Jane Ward stepped on the volleyball court in 1954 until she retired in 1968, she had a profound impact on the way the women's game evolved. She changed the way people in America viewed women's volleyball.
Jane Ward brought a distinctive competitive fire and athletic ability that changed the game's genteel image for women. During her college years she didn't have much of an interest in volleyball, but when she started playing at the age of 22 she added a new dimension to the game.
From 1954 to 1968, Jane Ward dominated USVBA volleyball as an outside hitter who also set and occasionally saw time at middle blocker. She led her teams to 13 national championships. She was an All-American in each of her thirteen seasons and was an MVP at Nationals five times.
She played her fair share of international matches as well. She was an Olympian in 1964 and 1968, played in the World Championships of 1956 and 1960, and also competed in the Pan-Am Games in 1955, 1959, 1963 and culminating in 1967 with a first place finish.
After retiring in 1968 she continued coaching and teaching at various schools for 20 years.
Jane Ward brought a distinctive competitive fire and athletic ability that changed the game's genteel image for women. During her college years she didn't have much of an interest in volleyball, but when she started playing at the age of 22 she added a new dimension to the game.
From 1954 to 1968, Jane Ward dominated USVBA volleyball as an outside hitter who also set and occasionally saw time at middle blocker. She led her teams to 13 national championships. She was an All-American in each of her thirteen seasons and was an MVP at Nationals five times.
She played her fair share of international matches as well. She was an Olympian in 1964 and 1968, played in the World Championships of 1956 and 1960, and also competed in the Pan-Am Games in 1955, 1959, 1963 and culminating in 1967 with a first place finish.
After retiring in 1968 she continued coaching and teaching at various schools for 20 years.
Trailblazer 1964 & 1968 Olympian Jane Ward Passes Away
November 24, 2024
|
|
Jane Ward meets USA Women's National Team
|
Submission by Sharon R Becker, January of 2016
PHOTO: 1964 U.S.A. Women's Volleyball Team Back: Jean Gaertner, Lou Sara Galloway, Jane Ward, Linda Murphy, Barbara Harwerth, Verneda Thomas, Nancy Owen, Mary Jo Pepper. Front: Coach Dr. W. P. Burroughs, Patty Bright, Sharon Peterson, Gail O'Rourke, Mary Perry, manager Ida Litschauer. |
Jane moved to Southern California in the early 1950s after growing up in Buffalo, where she is in the University of Buffalo Athletic HOF. She was the most dominant female player of her era from 1954-1968. She was a 5-7 outside hitter who also set and led her USVBA teams to 13 national championships, winning All-American honors each year, and was USVBA MVP five times. She played primarily for the Long Beach Ahern Shamrocks.
She started on the 1964 Tokyo and 1968 Mexico City Olympic teams after starting in the 1956 and 1960 World Championships. She also competed in the Pan-Am Games in 1955, 1959, and 1963 (silver medals) and won the gold medal in 1967. She was head coach at Cabrillo College in Santa Cruz from 1969 to 1978 (winning the State Title in 1978) and inducted into their HOF. She was also the successful head coach at San Jose State in the AIAW era. In 1969 she won the USVBA ‘All-Time Great Player’ award. She was inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame in 1988.
She started on the 1964 Tokyo and 1968 Mexico City Olympic teams after starting in the 1956 and 1960 World Championships. She also competed in the Pan-Am Games in 1955, 1959, and 1963 (silver medals) and won the gold medal in 1967. She was head coach at Cabrillo College in Santa Cruz from 1969 to 1978 (winning the State Title in 1978) and inducted into their HOF. She was also the successful head coach at San Jose State in the AIAW era. In 1969 she won the USVBA ‘All-Time Great Player’ award. She was inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame in 1988.
|
|
The above photos have been provided by members of the 1964 & 1968 USA Women's Olympic players / families
Providing all opportunities for young aspiring volleyball players in the US.