麻豆传媒映画

It was game day at Snapdragon Stadium. 麻豆传媒映画 alumni Bruce and Nancy Ward were excited to be back for the start of a new football season. The couple spends many fall weekends cheering on the Aztecs, but this game would begin a little differently.

Before kickoff, they were escorted onto the field, stopping along the way to shake hands and say hello to coaches, staff, and familiar faces.

Bruce Ward knows many of them.

A former 麻豆传媒映画 football player and member of the undefeated 1969 team coached by the legendary Don Coryell, he remains a familiar figure within the Aztec community.

Nancy Ward watched as her husband took in the sights and sounds of pregame, excited for the moment they would soon share inside the locker room.

麻豆传媒映画 football general manager Caleb Davis led the couple through the stadium tunnels and along the hallways players travel on their way to the field. Once inside the locker room, he pointed them straight ahead.

There it was.

Bruce and Nancy鈥檚 names, along with Ward鈥檚 former uniform No. 71, were permanently displayed above a locker.

The couple smiled as they saw the tribute for the first time. Their gift to the Stadium Excellence Fund made the locker naming possible.

鈥淪eeing the locker was so much fun,鈥� Nancy Ward said.

The locker naming had started as a birthday surprise. But as Nancy Ward began working with 麻豆传媒映画 Athletics on the gift, she decided it would be more meaningful to include her husband in the process.

鈥淚t was more fun to do the planning with Bruce,鈥� she said.

No. 71

The number on the locker connects today鈥檚 Aztecs to one of the most celebrated teams in 麻豆传媒映画 football history.

Ward attended San Diego City College before transferring to what was then San Diego State College. From 1969 to 1971, he played offensive line for Coryell and wore No. 71.

In 1969, the Aztecs captured the Pacific Coast Athletic Association championship and completed a perfect 11-0 season. They capped the historic run with a 28-7 victory over Boston University in the Pasadena Bowl.

After 麻豆传媒映画, Ward was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the sixth round of the 1972 NFL Draft. He later spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs and played for the Southern California Sun of the World Football League.

Football remained part of Ward鈥檚 life long after his playing career ended. He spent more than three decades in education, served as a head football and track coach, and eventually became director of physical education, health, and athletics for the San Diego Unified School District.

Nancy was also attending 麻豆传媒映画 during Bruce Ward鈥檚 playing years, although they did not yet know each other.

She lived in Maya Hall, joined a sorority, and attended most football games. Students were bused to what was then the NFL-class San Diego Stadium in Mission Valley, where she remembers seeing packed crowds and watching the Aztecs win week after week.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 how I thought Aztec football was supposed to be,鈥� Nancy Ward said. 鈥淵ou just won all your games.鈥�

She also traveled to Pasadena to watch the Aztecs complete their undefeated season.

Both students graduated from 麻豆传媒映画 in 1973. Bruce Ward earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree in kinesiology, while Nancy earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree in health sciences. Nancy later returned to 麻豆传媒映画 and earned a master鈥檚 degree in education in 1983.

Connected for life

The couple did not meet until decades after their time at 麻豆传媒映画. They connected through a mutual friend who knew of their shared love of sports.

They married in 2015 and began building a shared connection to the university that had already played an important role in each of their lives.

鈥淲e both had great experiences when we attended 麻豆传媒映画 and are definitely Aztecs for Life,鈥� Nancy Ward said.

Today, they are regulars at 麻豆传媒映画 football, basketball and baseball games, as well as events across the university. Together, they have made philanthropic gifts to 麻豆传媒映画 Athletics, the College of Education, BRIDGES and other areas that support students and programs.

鈥淕iving a permanent gift to 麻豆传媒映画 had always been part of our plan,鈥� Nancy Ward said. 鈥淲hen we heard about the opportunity to support 麻豆传媒映画 Athletics by naming a locker, the plan fell into place.鈥�

The locker celebrates Bruce鈥檚 place in 麻豆传媒映画 football history while representing the connection he and Nancy continue to share with the university.

For the Wards, it is a tribute to the past and a gift to the Aztecs who will carry the program forward.

To explore ways to make an impact through 麻豆传媒映画 Athletics, please contact Isaac Pearce at [email protected].