Garden City Softball Coach Ford retires

Garden City (westernkansasnews.com)–Prior to 1994, Garden City High School didn’t have a softball program. John Ford, a former assistant baseball coach at the school was asked to help start a program. Within an hour, he accepted an offer, going in knowing little about the sport. Nineteen years later, Ford built a program that has won 239 games and lost 169. He has decided to retire as the head softball coach.

The Lady Buffaloes have built a solid foundation under Ford, winning two WAC titles, and six state tournament appearances, the latest for each coming in 2010. In an interview, Ford said that it was “time to move on”. He also felt that he’s done pretty much all he can do with the program, and has left the program in great shape.

While Ford is retiring from being the head softball coach, the only softball head coach in school history will remain a physical education teacher at GCHS, a job he says he’s loved for 30 years.

In a press conference Tuesday morning, Garden City Athletic Director Martin Segovia said that the search for Ford’s replacement will begin immediately.