Janice Ward is the current Head of Faculty Affairs for the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Both Janice and her son Torrey Ward are alumni of UAB. Torrey Ward played college basketball for UAB before a brief professional career in China. He found his calling in coaching and mentoring young student-athletes, serving as Assistant Coach for Men’s Basketball at Ole Miss and Jacksonville State University before becoming Associate Head Coach at Illinois State University. While returning from the 2015 NCAA championship game in Indianapolis, Ward was one of seven people killed in a plane crash just outside Illinois State's main campus. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Torrey and the flight passengers fatal plane crash.
Janice has taken the tremendous pain from her son’s passing and moved it into purpose. Since 2018, Janice has partnered with Shoes That Fit to provide new athletic shoes to K-12 students at selected schools. In her tremendous fundraising efforts, Janice Ward has raised over $40,000 and donated the proceeds to Shoes That Fit. Over 1,500 pairs of sneakers have been gifted to students in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, and the Birmingham, Alabama metro areas.
“In circumstances such as ours, we look for meaningful ways to have an impact and to keep our loved one's legacy and light (as we call it) alive. The partnership with Shoes That Fit allows us to do both.” Janice Ward
Team Torrey Ward continues to hold annual fundraising efforts through Shoes That Fit.
Thank you, Janice and Team Torrey Ward, for continuing to bring smiles to the children in your community.
