Truman State University Athletics

The Ware’s put nearly 39 combine years of service to the Truman community from the mid 1980’s until 2004. John came to Kirksville as an assistant football coach under Jack Ball in 1985 and he served in that capacity until 1994. The next year, John was named the 19th Head Coach in Bulldog football history and won 54 games over the next nine seasons which is third all-time behind Maurice “Red” Wade’s 99 and Don Faurot’s 63 coaching wins. John left the University to become head football coach at Missouri Southern State University for the 2004 season. John passed away on Sept. 27, 2005, the week the Bulldogs were to play the Lions in Joplin. Melissa was a graduate of Truman in 1987 and began working for the University full-time as Publications Coordinator and Office Manager in 1988 under Sports Information Director Bill Cable. When Cable retired in 1995, Ware was named only the second SID at the school and she served in that capacity until May 2004. Under Melissa’s direction, the Sports Information Office was the recipient of over 40 national awards for media guides from the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Melissa passed away on November 30, 2007 after a long battle with cancer.