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    Eden Prairie Local News
    Home»Sports»Boys Lacrosse»After 19 seasons, Ryan Ward closes chapter with Eden Prairie lacrosse
    Boys Lacrosse

    After 19 seasons, Ryan Ward closes chapter with Eden Prairie lacrosse

    The winningest coach in Minnesota high school boys lacrosse history leaves behind two state titles, 238 victories and a lasting legacy.
    Stuart SudakBy Stuart SudakAugust 21, 20256 Mins Read
    Ryan Ward on the sideline during Eden Prairie’s game on April 12, 2025, in his 19th and final season as head coach.
    Ryan Ward on the sideline during Eden Prairie’s game on April 12, 2025, in what turned out to be his 19th and final season as head coach. Photo by Rick Olson

    Ryan Ward has stepped down as Eden Prairie High School’s boys lacrosse coach, ending a 19-season run that made him the winningest coach in Minnesota high school boys lacrosse history.

    The athletic department announced his resignation on Aug. 18 via social media. Ward, hired in May 2007, has been the only head coach in the program’s history.

    “Yeah, I think it is,” Ward said Wednesday when asked if congratulations were in order. “It’s been a long run, and a successful run. I feel like I’m leaving the program in a good spot. I look back with fond memories, and I’m really proud to have been Eden Prairie’s coach for the last 19 seasons.”

    From club to powerhouse

    When Ward took over in 2007, boys lacrosse had just been sanctioned by the Minnesota State High School League. Eden Prairie’s first varsity season was his first season too, and he never left the sideline.

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    “I’d say I started it,” Ward said. “Before that, it was considered a club sport in Minnesota. The first year it became an official Minnesota State High School League program was the year I took over. I’ve been the only coach in the program’s history.”

    Under Ward, Eden Prairie became a fixture on the state’s biggest stage. The Eagles won 238 games with a .780 winning percentage, reached the state tournament 11 times, and captured championships in 2013 and 2014. His teams also finished runner-up four times. Along the way, dozens of players continued their careers in college, including multiple Division I athletes.

    Why he’s stepping aside

    Ward said the decision to step aside wasn’t about wins and losses. It was about family.

    “It was time,” he said. “Nineteen seasons is a long run. I’ve got both of my kids involved in the sport, and I was missing some of their moments. This past season, my daughter was an eighth grader playing Minnetonka varsity, and I wasn’t at some of her games. I’d be in the parking lot on the phone, watching her play before my own game, and I thought, what’s wrong with this picture?”

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    His daughter, Ainsley, is now entering ninth grade. His son, Connor, is a rising sixth grader. Both, Ward said, have already developed a passion for lacrosse.

    “They love the game and want to keep playing at high levels in high school and college,” Ward said. “I think one of my jobs is to help teach them and give them the foundation to be successful so they can keep playing as long as they want.”

    Ryan Ward with his son, Connor, during warmups before Eden Prairie’s section semifinal against Edina on June 4, 2025 – his final game as head coach. Photo by Rick Olson

    A life in lacrosse

    Ward’s connection to the game runs deep. Growing up in Victoria, British Columbia, he began playing at 4. He earned a scholarship to Butler University, then became the No. 3 overall pick in the 2003 National Lacrosse League draft. Over a 12-season pro career with Philadelphia, Minnesota and Edmonton, he was twice named an All-Star and won two Mann Cup championships with the Victoria Shamrocks.

    He retired from the professional game in 2014 but stayed close to the sport. Ward owns Twin Cities Lacrosse LLC and runs the TC Select club program, which draws players from Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, and Edina. He also teaches physical education at Shakopee Area Catholic School and remains active in box lacrosse, the indoor version played in hockey rinks.

    “My main job is teaching at a Catholic school in Shakopee, but I also run a club program with kids from Minnetonka, Eden Prairie and Edina – kind of the west metro area,” Ward said. “I’m still heavily involved there, and in box lacrosse, too. I’ve loved the sport ever since I started playing when I was 4. I just felt like I needed to take a little off my plate.”

    What he’s most proud of

    Ward reflected on the two state championships, admitting that the 2013 breakthrough brought a sense of relief as much as joy. But, he said, the victories are not what he cherishes most.

    “Honestly, what I’m most proud of is the number of kids I coached who found a similar passion for the game and wanted to pursue it in college,” he said. “We’ve had multiple Division I athletes, including one who went on to win a national championship at the University of Virginia, and countless others who played Division II, Division III or club lacrosse. Helping instill that passion so they wanted to keep playing after high school has been really rewarding.”

    Eden Prairie coach Ryan Ward addresses his players during a timeout in the Section 2 quarterfinal against Rosemount on June 2, 2025, at Aerie Stadium. Photo by Rick Olson

    A legacy honored

    Eden Prairie High School student activities director Joe Perkl said Ward’s influence will be felt long after his departure.

    “Coach Ward’s passion and knowledge for the game are unmatched – I’m convinced he has forgotten more about lacrosse than most of us will ever know,” Perkl said. “He empowered his coaches to grow as leaders and was instrumental in keeping Eden Prairie among the state’s top boys lacrosse programs throughout his tenure.”

    Ward was quick to deflect the praise.

    “I’ve been fortunate to coach alongside a lot of really good people – smart lacrosse minds who I’ve learned from and enjoyed being around,” he said. “I think that’s key: as a coach, you can’t get stagnant. To grow and have success, you always have to keep learning. I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by so many good people in the game.”

    What’s next

    Perkl told lacrosse families the district has posted the head coach position and expects to review applications in early September, hold interviews mid-month, and announce a new coach by late September.

    Ward thinks the program remains in good shape.

    “We just graduated a large senior class – some really impactful players – but we’ve got a strong sophomore group that gained valuable experience,” he said. “I think we’ll be super competitive for the next few years. I’m a little concerned about youth numbers, but that’s the nature of it. There are always ebbs and flows.”

    In the end, Ward said, the victories tell only part of the story.

    “You know, 19 seasons, and the program was arguably one of the top programs in the state,” he said. “There have been ups and downs, but the longevity and being relevant, being consistent, was key. I guess the amount of time I put into developing players and growing the sport in Minnesota was kind of a proud moment – just a small piece of what I was able to do.”

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