Patti Ford - Head Volleyball Coach

Aug. 19, 2003

Patti Ford starts her 12th season as head volleyball coach at UW-River Falls and has led the Falcons to five NCAA Div. III national playoff berths. In 2002 the Falcons finished 31-8 overall and 7-1, and in a tie for first place, in the WIAC. She was named the WIAC Coach of the Year.

In 2001 the Falcons finished 20-17 overall and 5-3, and in a tie for third place, in the WIAC. In 2000 the Falcons finished 27-11 overall and 7-1 and in the second place in the WIAC. The Falcons advanced to the NCAA Div. III playoffs but lost a first-round match, three games to two to Elmurst College.

In 1999 the Falcons finished 30-7 overall and were ranked as high as fourth in the nation. The Falcons finished 8-0 in WIAC dual matches and finished second in the WIAC tourney. Ford was named the WIAC Coach of the Year for the second time since 1995. The Falcons advanced to the NCAA Tourney but lost in the first round.

Ford has coached the Falcons to 30 or more wins in five of the past eight seasons and the Falcons have finished now lower than third in the WIAC regular-season standings in that same time period.

In 1998 the Falcons finished 32-6 overall and were 6-2 in the WIAC and finished second in the regular-season standings. They finished second in the WIAC playoffs. They advanced to the NCAA Championships and after winning their first match, lost in the finals. In 1996 the Falcons finished 34-5 overall and 7-1 in the WIAC. The Falcons went on to win the WIAC tournament title and hosted a NCAA Div. III first-round match. Ford has compiled a 263-115 record at UWRF.

The Falcons finished the 1995 season with a 38-7 record. The 38 wins are a record in a single season. The Falcons were 6-2 and placed third in the WIAC. Ford earned the WIAC Coach of the Year award.

Ford was an assistant coach at North Dakota State before coming to UW-RF. She worked in all phases of the program including court coaching, scouting, recruiting, game management and organization of NDSU summer camps. With Ford as an assistant coach, the Bison won three straight North Central Conference championships. They placed second in the NCAA Div. II national championships in 1990 and third in 1989 and 1991.

From 1983-91 she was the head coach of the Shanley, N.D., High School volleyball team. Her teams compiled a 201-63 overall record and won state championships in 1991 and 1988. The team finished second in the state in 1990, 1987, 1986 and 1984. Her teams appeared in nine straight state tournaments.

In 1991 she was named the North Dakota Coach of the Year and the East Regional Coach of the Year. She was a Coach of the Year nominee in 1988 and 1990. She was named the head coach of the 1991 Mizuno East all-Star team.

Ford has worked since 1988 as the director of high school volleyball camps in Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Iowa and South Dakota.

She earned her undergraduate degree from Mount Mary College, S.D., in 1983 in health, physical education and recreation. She earned her master's degree at NDSU in education/physical education in 1994.

Ford teaches classes in the University's health and human performance department and serves as the associate athletic director.

Contact coach Patti Ford.

Patti Ford



The Ford File