Karla Ward is the Head Coach of the Men's Rowing Club Team.

A Manhattan graduate with a degree in managerial science, Ward was a four-year member of the rowing team. She coxswained the Lady Jaspers to several medal-winning performances during her career. During her freshman year, Manhattan's novice women's four dominated the local competition, winning the Dowling Alumni Cup and Fall Metropolitan Championships. That spring season showed continued promise in both the novice four and novice eight, as the crew medaled at local regattas. Ward's career culminated in a sweep of all women's events at the 1995 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championships. She coxswained the varsity eight, varsity open four and varsity lightweight four at those MAAC Championships. Ward also coxswained the varsity women's four to a silver medal finish at New York State Rowing Championships that season. Ward spent summers rowing for the Empire State Rowing Association and the New York Athletic Club, medaling at Empire State Games and U.S. Nationals.

Ward was invited to participate in the 2005 NCAA Women Coaches Academy in San Antonio, Texas.  She was one of only 29 coaches selected nationwide.  The objectives of the Women Coaches Academy are to provide advanced skills training, retain and mentor coaches.

An active member of the New York City rowing community, Ward volunteered her time coaching at-risk youth at the Peter Jay Sharp Boathouse. She also served as the New York City Regional Rowing Coach for the Empire State Games, the largest statewide multi-sport competition in the nation. Ward coached "Manhattan Crew;" the coed club team from 2003-2013. She returned in 2017 to lead the Men's Rowing Club Team.

Coaching Philosophy
Rowing at Manhattan gives “students” the opportunity to be “student athletes”. One doesn't need rowing experience to join, only a willingness to learn and a desire to work hard. Our role is to guide the student athlete through this journey and challenge them to limits their bodies and minds have yet to discover. We strive to create an environment that allows rowers to succeed both on the water and in the classroom.

HEAD COACH:
Michael Ward '91

ASSISTANT COACHES:
Mark Liegy '91
Anthony Monaco '98
Elizabeth Earley '07
Thomas Langowski '08