University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Patti Ford completed her 30th season as head volleyball coach in 2021 and has developed one of the most successful athletic programs at UW-River Falls. During her 30 seasons at the helm of UWRF’s volleyball program, she has guided the Falcons to an overall record of 625-410, garnered four Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Championships and earned six NCAA Division III national tournament appearances.

Ford picked up her 600th career win in 2019 when the Falcons defeated Principia College 3-0 at the Simpson College Invite. Her team’s success has her in a category few obtain and finds her among some of the finest coaches within the WIAC and nationally. Ford currently ranks fifth in the WIAC in all-time career wins and first among active WIAC coaches in wins.

In 2013 Ford earned her 500th career win when the Falcons topped Hamline, 3-0, on Sept. 6. 

Over the past 26 seasons Ford has guided the Falcons to 16 20+-win seasons. In six of those seasons the Falcons captured 30 or more wins. UWRF won back-to-back WIAC regular season titles under Ford's direction in 2002 and 2003. The Falcons had a banner year in 2003 winning the WIAC regular season title and advancing to the WIAC playoff championship match and into the NCAA Div. III national playoffs. UWRF finished the year 35-6 overall and advanced to the NCAA "Sweet 16." In 2002 the Falcons finished 31-8 overall and 7-1 in the WIAC. In 2002 Ford earned her third WIAC Coach of the Year award.

In 1999 the Falcons finished 30-7 overall and were ranked as high as fourth in the nation on their way to their second WIAC Championship. The Falcons finished 8-0 in WIAC dual matches and finished second in the WIAC tourney. Ford was named the WIAC Coach of the Year for the second time since 1995. The Falcons advanced to the NCAA Tourney but lost in the first round.

In 1998 the Falcons finished 32-6 overall and were 6-2 in the WIAC and finished second in the regular-season standings. They finished second in the WIAC playoffs. They advanced to the NCAA Championships and after winning their first match, lost in the finals.

In 1996 the Falcons finished 34-5 overall and 7-1 in the WIAC, earning the Falcon volleyball program its first conference championship. The Falcons went on to win the WIAC tournament title and hosted a NCAA Div. III first-round match. The Falcons finished the 1995 season with a 38-7 record. The 38 wins are a record in a single season. The Falcons were 6-2 and placed third in the WIAC. Ford earned her first WIAC Coach of the Year award.

In 2001 the Falcons finished 20-17 overall and 5-3 and in third place in the WIAC. The Falcons advanced to the NCAA Div. III playoffs but lost a first-round match, three games to two, to Elmhurst College. The Falcons finished 24-13 in 2006 and placed fourth in the WIAC with a 4-4 record. The 2005 season fell short of expectations as the team finished 17-18 overall and 2-6 in the WIAC. In 2004 Falcons had a strong year. UWRF had another 20-win season finishing 24-11 overall and 5-3 in the WIAC and in third place.

During Ford's tenure at UW-River Falls five Falcon volleyball players (Melissa Mattson, Melissa Tvrdik, Nina Petersen Kat Krtnick and Lexi Pingel) earned the prestigious WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award. Amy Holm, Cara Gustafson, Tvrdik and Krtnick were name CoSIDA Academic All-Americans. Mattson and Tvrdik, who both had illustrious careers, were also named the WIAC Player of the Year. Ford’s athletes have also garnered conference, regional and national awards. Ford has coached 60 athletes to All-WIAC honors, 29 athletes to AVCA All-Midwest Region, and 15 athletes to All-American status.

Ford was an assistant coach at North Dakota State before coming to UWRF. With Ford as an assistant coach, the Bison won three straight North Central Conference championships. They placed second in the NCAA Div. II national championships in 1990 and third in 1989 and 1991.

From 1983-91 she was the head volleyball coach at Shanley, N.D., High School where her teams compiled a 201-63 and appeared in nine straight state tournaments. Shanley won state championships in 1991 and 1988. Her teams finished second in the state in 1990, 1987, 1986 and 1984. In 1991, she was named the North Dakota High School Coach of the Year.

She earned her undergraduate degree from Mount Marty College, S.D., in 1983 in health, physical education and recreation. She earned her master's degree at NDSU in education/physical education in 1994.

In September of 2014 Ford was inducted into the O'Gorman/Cathedral Hall of Fame for Excellence in Athletics. She is a 1979 graduate of O'Gorman High School in Sioux Falls, S.D. 

Beside her coaching duties, Ford teaches in the UWRF health & human performance department.