CLINTON, Miss. — Mississippi Christian University head men's and women's tennis coach Michael Ward has been selected as the headline speaker for the 2026 Mississippi Association of Coaches (MAC) Tennis Clinic, scheduled for July 8 as part of the organization's annual coaching clinic.  

Ward will speak to tennis coaches from across Mississippi, sharing his knowledge on building successful programs, player development and fostering a championship culture. The annual clinic provides coaches with professional development opportunities and features some of the state's top leaders in the sport.

"It's an honor to have the opportunity to speak to coaches from around our state," Ward said. "I'm thankful to the Mississippi Association of Coaches and USTA Mississippi for the invitation and look forward to sharing ideas that have helped our program continue to grow."

Ward has transformed the Choctaw tennis programs into consistent Gulf South Conference contenders while helping elevate MC's reputation both on and off the court. His invitation to serve as the clinic's headline speaker reflects the respect he has earned throughout Mississippi's tennis community.

The selection also highlights the growing visibility of the Choctaw tennis program as Ward continues to build one of the state's premier collegiate programs.

MC is coming off another successful season in 2026, with both the men's and women's teams continuing to compete among the Gulf South Conference's top programs while producing all-conference performers and building momentum for the future under Ward's leadership. The Choctaws continue to establish themselves as one of the conference's rising tennis programs