by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
A member of the Cherokee Nation, Marty Ward is currently the only Native American head coach in NCAA men’s lacrosse at any level. He is currently the head coach at Florida Southern College. This is his tenth year at the helm and although the NCAA has canceled all spring athletic seasons, he is preparing virtually when the pandemic changes its course.
According to his Florida Southern University lacrosse coach profile, “Marty … had success as a goalkeeper for the Iroquois Nationals team, helping the squad to a bronze medal at the 2014 World Lacrosse Championships. He was also the starting goalkeeper for the Iroquois Nationals team that finished fourth in 2006. He has also served as a coach for the Iroquois Nationals U-19 squad at the international level, leading the team to a bronze medal at the 2012 Federation of International Lacrosse World Championships.”
“I grew up outside of the Onondaga Nation with my grandfather being Onondaga and a member of the Snipe Clan and grandmother being Cherokee and being Deer Clan,” said Marty. “We had a strong belief system of both nations in the traditional values of family, elders, and being present with our minds and bodies. My morning prayer was something I picked up much later during my early 20’s after spending more time with our faith keeper on the Onondaga Nation. Living away from the native communities for so long I build my faith through prayer and going to a local church.”
“My philosophy on leadership is based on accountability and understanding that your response to any given situation can turn into a learning opportunity good or bad,” said Marty. “Everything we do revolves around each of us doing our part to leave things better than we found it. When we hold ourselves accountable for positive growth we will then be able to become better versions of ourselves as a whole. During my time growing up I faced a lot of uncertainties due to a tough home life, and this influenced some of my decision making as a teenager in which I had to grow and learn from over time.”
“Going to Limestone College and playing lacrosse put me on track to become successful,” said Marty. “My coaches and positive influences held me accountable for taking the opportunity given to gain an education and play high level lacrosse. Being a leader and identifying that you need to learn and grow is not an easy thing but it is something that I have taken pride in doing throughout the years.”
Shaun Smith, former Corcoran and current West Genesee Boys Varsity Lacrosse Coach, said: “I first met Marty through his Dad who was coaching football with me at Corcoran HS. He was a short athletic kid that always just wanted to be around sports. When he was in eighth grade I told his Dad that he needed to quit playing baseball and play goalie for me and will be the starter on our newly formed varsity team for at least three years. So the next year Marty did just that and became the all time saves leader in Corcoran Lax history, a two-time all league player and captain his senior year.”
“Marty demanded all the players on the team to listen to what he said and they did. For example his senior year we didn’t have our own home field so we played at a place called ‘The Barn’ and we were about to play FM who is one of the top teams in the state every year. After my regular talk, Marty took over and got the team to follow his every instruction and by the end of that game we won 8-6 in large part to Marty’s 16 saves and awesome clearing passes. We lost that season in the section 3 championship to eventual State Champion West Genesee,” added Shaun.
“Another great example of Marty’s leadership was in 10th grade and Marty wanted to play QB for my JV team,” said Shaun. “The year before he played LB and he still played FB. Well, we had 68 players on our JV team so I told him that I would give him a day to show me that he was a quarterback. I had three other outstanding quarterbacks in front of him that year. So after the first tryout I told him ‘look you can’t play quarterback for us but you will be my starting middle linebacker and fullback plus you will be captain and that you better be the best damn captain that I ever had.’ He absolutely was by pumping everyone up all the time and including everyone and cheering guys on that rarely saw the field. We went undefeated that year and absolutely destroyed every team we faced and I believe it was in large part due to Marty’s leadership and wanting everyone to be able to play and in most games everyone did play.”
“When Marty went to Limestone to play college lax his team came up to Syracuse to play LeMoyne in the semi-finals of the NCAA tournament,” said Shaun. “Limestone was a big underdog but with Marty in goal and being very vocal and making some amazing saves Limestone somehow won. After the game Marty went to every single person that came to watch him play, and thanked each one for coming to the game. That took a long time, time that could of been spent celebrating with his team but Marty knew that thanking everyone individually for coming and showing support was more important.
I can’t say enough how truly proud I am of the man that Marty has become. He is a great husband, father, friend and leader.”
“Marty Ward is what you could describe as being the salt of the earth,” said Mark Burnam, Iroquois Nationals U19 Assistant Coach. “Marty is a good friend and has been a teammate when we played in the ‘worlds’ together and coached on the same staff. He is one hell of a competitor now and always will be.”
“He has always been a leader as a high school player, a college player and now a head coach at Florida Southern. He has put in his time on and off the field always willing to learn and stay ahead of the curve. Marty is an excellent recruiter and an even better coach. Marty was a stellar goaltender at Limestone College where he became a National Champion and went on to become a goaltender for the Iroquois National team. There are not too many guys out there who can fill his shoes on or off the field. He is a family man and his passion for the game shows with whatever he gets involved with. Marty was on staff with us last summer in Ireland with the U19 Iroquois Nationals world team. I was so looking forward to that event and Marty’s great ideas either offensive or defensively. Like I said he is salt of the earth and I would go to battle with Marty anytime,” added Mark.
“Marty played goalie all his life and not too many are left like him. He was born a leader,” said Mark.
“For me being successful is not about how much money you make or material things, my measure of success is family,” said Marty. “Once my son was born everything changed, the success level for me now is our happy home. Being successful professionally is doing what you love. I have been a lacrosse coach for over a decade and I haven’t worked a day. This game literally saved me from a rough path in life and I will always give back to the Creators game.”
“I think that would be my upbringing, coming from a mixed home of a Native American father and a non-native mother,” said Marty. “The challenge of identity was difficult, I mean really hard, knowing that you were native but not a kid that grew up on the ‘rez’ was difficult. Growing up going to Indian school in elementary and being around the community was great but not living on the ‘rez’ left that hole. Once I had the opportunity to try out for the Iroquois National team in 2006 at 21 years old is when all of that changed. Having to navigate through a broken home in your teenage years filled with tough situations many young Natives face daily.”
“My message to the young natives is to continue to grow spiritually, physically, and mentally,” said Marty. “We are stronger than you think and don’t let negative influences get in the way of your dreams. You see a wall in your way, figure out how to get over it or through it, and chase your vision! Being a person that witnessed drug abuse and alcohol abuse for many years, having my home be foreclosed on at 16, moving in with my grandparents my last two years of HS, and having my HS coach pick me up for school every day my senior year made me a stronger person and leader. Adversity reveals character, let it mold you and shape you, not break you.”
“We are doing a lot of video conferencing with our team and enjoying seeing the guys,” said Marty. “We also have sent workouts and conditioning plans with them to stay in shape during this pandemic. The team is still finishing their work up remotely and will continue to be dedicated student athletes!”
Marty is living his dream, hes a can do person,and has never been afraid to work and grind, and do it all with passion and purpose, A great coach and a great leader and man. Hes worked for everything hes achieved. No silver spoons here.
Having known and worked with Marty for close to 15 years, I have been personally blessed. Marty is a pillar in the community. He is diligent in his efforts and aware of those around him. I think you can turn your story about Marty into a book.
great article. have met Marty a few times through lacrosse. has always been receptive as most people in the lacrosse world are