Army West Point Wrestling announced that the head coaching position is now titled as the Class of 1972 Head Men’s Wrestling Coach. Kevin Ward will now serve as the Class of 1972 Head Men’s Wrestling Coach.
The Class of 1972, through a class gift and individual donations, raised $1 million to name the head wrestling coach position. The funds raised will go towards enhancing all aspects of the wrestling cadet-athlete experience.
Ward was named Army West Point’s 10th head wrestling coach on August 1, 2014, after previously serving as the head coach at Division II Ouachita Baptist University. The former Oklahoma State wrestler has coached 49 wrestlers to the NCAA Division I Championships and helped secure the program’s first All- American since 2008, when Ben Pasiuk ’24 finished eighth at 174 lbs at the 2024 NCAA Championships.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support and generosity of the Class of 1972,” Ward said. “Their gift is transformational for our program and speaks to the unmatched alumni support for the Army Wrestling team. Over 50 years ago this program helped change the lives of the class of 1972, and today, the class of ’72 is able to impact the lives of all future Cadet-wrestlers at West Point.”
“Coach Ward didn’t just build Army Wrestling, he transformed it into a powerhouse program that [last year] produced six national qualifiers, claimed third place at the EIWA Championships, and captured Coach of the Year honors,” said Raymond Ritacco, a member of the Class of 1972, a football and wrestling letter winner and 1972 Army Athletic Association Award Winner.
“Now the Class of ’72 is honoring his championship vision with a million-dollar endowment investment, challenging the Army nation to help our wrestlers compete with the best-funded teams in America,” Ritacco said. “This gift isn’t just about honoring excellence. It’s about securing Army Wrestling’s future at the highest level.”
“This investment in the future of our Wrestling program is a testament to the enduring bond of the Long Gray Line with both current and future generations,” said Army West Point Director of Athletics Tom Theodorakis. “Coach Ward has built something truly special here at West Point, and this support will help Army Wrestling continue to thrive for years to come. We are beyond grateful and excited to announce the generous backing from the Class of 1972.”
So far in 2024-25, the Black Knights carry a 6-3 dual match record, including a 20-19 win over Big Ten foe Purdue. Ethan Berginc ’26 (133 lbs), Gunner Filipowicz ’27 (165 lbs) and Dalton Harkins ’25 (174 lbs) won Princeton Open titles to open the season November 3, and Berginc followed with a Black Knight Invitational win November 24.
On January 5, Army won the team championship at the Southern Scuffle in Chattanooga, Tenn. Additionally, Filipowicz won the 165-lb championship.
In 2023-24, Ward led the Black Knights to a 6-1 dual meet record against EIWA teams, including a thrilling 18-17 win at Navy February 16, in a dual decided by the final bout. Seven wrestlers placed at the EIWA Championships, with six qualifying for the NCAA Championships and Ward was named EIWA Coach of the Year. The year culminated in Kansas City, Mo., with Pasiuk becoming the 20th All-American and the fourth four-time NCAA qualifier in program history.
