Travis Ford
Encyclopedia
Travis Ford is an American
college basketball
coach. He is currently the men's head coach at Oklahoma State University
. He was previously the head coach at Campbellsville University
, Eastern Kentucky University
, and the University of Massachusetts
. Prior to that, he played at the University of Missouri
and the University of Kentucky
. He also played the character Danny O'Grady in the 1997 movie
The Sixth Man
.
, Ford entered the University of Missouri in 1989. He played basketball for the Missouri Tigers
and was named to the Big Eight Conference
All-Freshman team. The following year, Ford transferred to the University of Kentucky. He is still known at Missouri as Travis the Traitor as he was a highly touted part of a good team there with fellow stand-out Anthony Peeler
. He sat out the 1990–91 season due to transferring to the University of Kentucky. After playing sparingly his sophomore year, Ford was a starter during his junior and senior years, and set school records in single-game assists (15), single-season three-point field goals (101) and consecutive free throws made (50). Ford was named to the All-SEC
team his junior and senior year, and was recognized as the Southeast Region's Most Outstanding Player in the 1993 NCAA Tournament
.
After an unsuccessful attempt at an NBA career, Ford landed the role of Danny O'Grady in the 1997 movie The Sixth Man, starring Marlon Wayans
and Kadeem Hardison
.
, Ford was offered the head coach job at Campbellsville University
. Ford accepted the position, and in 1999 led the Tigers to a 28–3 record, earning Mid-South Conference
Coach of the Year honors.
, Ford accepted the head coaching position at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky
. In five seasons at EKU, Ford led the Colonels
from a 7–19 record his first year to a 22–9 record and an Ohio Valley Conference
championship in 2005
. In a much publicized first-round NCAA Tournament matchup with his alma mater, the University of Kentucky, Ford's team pushed the Wildcats to the limit before losing 72–64.
. During his first season, 2005–06, with the Minutemen
, Ford posted a 13–15 record, 8–8 in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The 2006–07 season saw Ford coach UMass to the fifth most wins in school history with an overall mark of 24–9. The team shared the Atlantic 10 Conference regular season title with Xavier
, going 13–3, but lost to Saint Louis in the second round of the Atlantic 10 tournament. After earning a #4-seed in the postseason NIT Tournament, UMass defeated Alabama
before losing in the second round to eventual NIT champion West Virginia
. The team featured Atlantic 10 Player of the Year Stephane Lasme
. After the season ended, Ford's name was circulated as a long-shot replacement for the head coaching position at Ford's alma mater, the University of Kentucky
. These rumors were put to rest when after the season on April 10, 2007, UMass announced that Ford had signed a five-year contract extension.
The 2007–08 season was arguably even more successful for Ford and UMass. The team finished the season with a 25–11 record and a 10–6 record in the Atlantic 10 Conference. After losing in the A-10 tournament to Charlotte, UMass accepted an invitation to the NIT for the second straight year. They defeated Stephen F. Austin
, Akron
, Syracuse and Florida
to make it to the NIT Finals. In the NIT Finals they lost to Ohio State
92–85. Ohio State had made the previous year's NCAA championship game. Despite the team's postseason success and the previous year's contract extension, Ford would leave the next season for Oklahoma State
.
. In his first season, Ford led the Cowboys to a 23–12 overall record, with a 9–7 record in conference. Ford led Oklahoma State to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since the 2004–05 season. In the tournament, Oklahoma State beat Tennessee before being knocked off by Pittsburgh in the second round. In year two Ford's cowboys finished 22–11, 9–7 in conference. The year was highlighted by wins over a top ten Kansas State on the road and a home win over the number one ranked Kansas Jayhawks. Big 12 player of the year James Anderson
was instrumental in both wins and became Travis Ford's first cowboy to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
coach. He is currently the men's head coach at Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma State University–Stillwater
Oklahoma State University–Stillwater is a land-grant, sun-grant, coeducational public research university located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA. OSU was founded in 1890 under the Morrill Act...
. He was previously the head coach at Campbellsville University
Campbellsville University
Campbellsville University, also known as CU, is a private university in Campbellsville, Kentucky, the seat of Taylor County. Founded as Russell Creek Academy, a Baptist institution, the university currently enrolls more than 3,000 students and is open to students of all denominations...
, Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern Kentucky University, commonly referred to as Eastern or by the acronym EKU by local residents, is an undergraduate and graduate teaching and research institution located in Richmond, Kentucky, U.S.A.. EKU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools...
, and the University of Massachusetts
University of Massachusetts Amherst
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public research and land-grant university in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States and the flagship of the University of Massachusetts system...
. Prior to that, he played at the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
and the University of Kentucky
University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky, also known as UK, is a public co-educational university and is one of the state's two land-grant universities, located in Lexington, Kentucky...
. He also played the character Danny O'Grady in the 1997 movie
1997 in film
-Events:* The original Star Wars trilogy's Special Editions are released.* Production begins on Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.* Titanic becomes the first film to gross US$1,000,000,000 at the box office making it the highest grossing film in history until Avatar broke the record in 2010.*...
The Sixth Man
The Sixth Man
The 6th Man is a supernatural sports comedy starring Marlon Wayans and Kadeem Hardison. The film was directed by Randall Miller. The film features real NCAA schools, although the rosters are fictitious...
.
Playing career
After attending Madisonville North Hopkins High SchoolMadisonville North Hopkins High School
Madisonville-North Hopkins High School opened in Madisonville, Kentucky in fall 1968. The school, located on Hanson Road, replaced the old Madisonville High School. Classes had graduated from the Spring Street facility from 1939-1968. The building now houses Browning Springs Middle School...
, Ford entered the University of Missouri in 1989. He played basketball for the Missouri Tigers
Missouri Tigers men's basketball
The Missouri Tigers men's basketball team represents the University of Missouri in the Big 12 Conference. The Tigers are located in Columbia, Missouri. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2011. The Missouri Tigers men's basketball team plays its home games at...
and was named to the Big Eight Conference
Big Eight Conference
The Big Eight Conference, a former NCAA-affiliated Division I-A college athletic association that sponsored football, was formed in January 1907 as the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association by its charter member schools: the University of Kansas, University of Missouri, University...
All-Freshman team. The following year, Ford transferred to the University of Kentucky. He is still known at Missouri as Travis the Traitor as he was a highly touted part of a good team there with fellow stand-out Anthony Peeler
Anthony Peeler
Anthony Eugene Peeler is a retired American professional basketball player, having played for a number of NBA teams from 1992 to 2005...
. He sat out the 1990–91 season due to transferring to the University of Kentucky. After playing sparingly his sophomore year, Ford was a starter during his junior and senior years, and set school records in single-game assists (15), single-season three-point field goals (101) and consecutive free throws made (50). Ford was named to the All-SEC
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
team his junior and senior year, and was recognized as the Southeast Region's Most Outstanding Player in the 1993 NCAA Tournament
1993 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1993 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 18, 1993, and ended with the championship game on April 5 in New Orleans, Louisiana...
.
After an unsuccessful attempt at an NBA career, Ford landed the role of Danny O'Grady in the 1997 movie The Sixth Man, starring Marlon Wayans
Marlon Wayans
Marlon L. Wayans is an American actor, model producer, comedian, writer, and director of movies, beginning with his role as a pedestrian in I'm Gonna Git You Sucka in 1988...
and Kadeem Hardison
Kadeem Hardison
Kadeem Hardison is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Dwayne Wayne on A Different World, a spin-off of the long-running NBC sitcom The Cosby Show.-Childhood:...
.
Campbellsville University
In 19971997 in sports
1997 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Luc Alphand, France** Women's overall season champion: Pernilla Wiberg, Sweden-American football:...
, Ford was offered the head coach job at Campbellsville University
Campbellsville University
Campbellsville University, also known as CU, is a private university in Campbellsville, Kentucky, the seat of Taylor County. Founded as Russell Creek Academy, a Baptist institution, the university currently enrolls more than 3,000 students and is open to students of all denominations...
. Ford accepted the position, and in 1999 led the Tigers to a 28–3 record, earning Mid-South Conference
Mid-South Conference
The Mid-South Conference is an athletic conference affiliated with the NAIA. Member institutions are located in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. It is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky....
Coach of the Year honors.
Eastern Kentucky University
In 20002000 in sports
2000 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Hermann Maier, Austria** Women's overall season champion: Renate Götschl, Austria-American football:...
, Ford accepted the head coaching position at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky
Richmond, Kentucky
There were 10,795 households out of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.2% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.6% were non-families. Of all households, 34.7% were made up of individuals and 8.8% had...
. In five seasons at EKU, Ford led the Colonels
Eastern Kentucky Colonels men's basketball
The Eastern Kentucky Colonels men's basketball team is a college basketball team at Eastern Kentucky University, located in Richmond, Kentucky. The basketball team has been competing in the Ohio Valley Conference since 1948. Home games are played at Alumni Coliseum, located on EKU's campus. The...
from a 7–19 record his first year to a 22–9 record and an Ohio Valley Conference
Ohio Valley Conference
The Ohio Valley Conference is a college athletic conference which operates in the midwestern and southeastern United States. It participates in Division I of the NCAA; the conference's football programs compete in the Football Championship Subdivision , the lower of two levels of Division I...
championship in 2005
2005 in sports
2005 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Bode Miller ** Women's overall season champion: Anja Pärson -American football:...
. In a much publicized first-round NCAA Tournament matchup with his alma mater, the University of Kentucky, Ford's team pushed the Wildcats to the limit before losing 72–64.
University of Massachusetts
After the 2004–05 season, Ford accepted the head coaching position at the University of MassachusettsUniversity of Massachusetts
This article relates to the statewide university system. For the flagship campus often referred to as "UMass", see University of Massachusetts Amherst...
. During his first season, 2005–06, with the Minutemen
UMass Minutemen basketball
The UMass Minutemen basketball team, also known as the Massachusetts Minutemen, represents the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Massachusetts, in NCAA Division I men's competition...
, Ford posted a 13–15 record, 8–8 in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The 2006–07 season saw Ford coach UMass to the fifth most wins in school history with an overall mark of 24–9. The team shared the Atlantic 10 Conference regular season title with Xavier
Xavier Musketeers men's basketball
The Xavier Musketeers team is the basketball team that represents Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school's team currently competes in the Atlantic 10 Conference...
, going 13–3, but lost to Saint Louis in the second round of the Atlantic 10 tournament. After earning a #4-seed in the postseason NIT Tournament, UMass defeated Alabama
Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball
The Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball program has a history of being among the best of the Southeastern Conference . It trails only Kentucky in basketball wins, SEC tournament titles, and SEC regular season titles in the 12-member conference. The team is coached by head coach Anthony Grant,...
before losing in the second round to eventual NIT champion West Virginia
West Virginia Mountaineers men's basketball
The West Virginia Mountaineers men's basketball team represents West Virginia University in NCAA Division I college basketball competition. It is a member of the Big East Conference. West Virginia most recently reached the Final Four of the 2010 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, led by...
. The team featured Atlantic 10 Player of the Year Stephane Lasme
Stephane Lasme
Yann Ulrich Stephane Lasme is a Gabonese professional basketball player. Lasme played NCAA college basketball at the University of Massachusetts , and he was selected by the Golden State Warriors in the second round, 46th overall, in the 2007 NBA Draft...
. After the season ended, Ford's name was circulated as a long-shot replacement for the head coaching position at Ford's alma mater, the University of Kentucky
Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball
The Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team, representing the University of Kentucky, is the winningest in the history of college basketball, both in all-time wins and all-time winning percentage. Kentucky's all-time record currently stands at 2058–647...
. These rumors were put to rest when after the season on April 10, 2007, UMass announced that Ford had signed a five-year contract extension.
The 2007–08 season was arguably even more successful for Ford and UMass. The team finished the season with a 25–11 record and a 10–6 record in the Atlantic 10 Conference. After losing in the A-10 tournament to Charlotte, UMass accepted an invitation to the NIT for the second straight year. They defeated Stephen F. Austin
Stephen F. Austin State University
Stephen F. Austin State University is a public university located in Nacogdoches, Texas, United States. Founded as a teachers' college in 1923, the university was named after one of Texas' founding fathers, Stephen F. Austin. Its campus resides on part of the homestead of another Texas founding...
, Akron
Akron Zips men's basketball
The Akron Zips Men's Basketball team represents the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio. The team currently competes in the Mid-American Conference East division. The team first played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 1986 when Bob Huggins was their coach. The Zips are currently...
, Syracuse and Florida
Florida Gators men's basketball
The Florida Gators men's basketball team represents the University of Florida in the sport of basketball. The Gators compete in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and the Southeastern Conference...
to make it to the NIT Finals. In the NIT Finals they lost to Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball
The Lucas Sapp men's basketball team represents The Ohio State University in NCAA Division I college basketball competition. The Buckeyes are a member of the Big Ten Conference. The Buckeyes won their only National Championship in 1960 and have made a total of 21 NCAA Tournament appearances...
92–85. Ohio State had made the previous year's NCAA championship game. Despite the team's postseason success and the previous year's contract extension, Ford would leave the next season for Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State Cowboys men's basketball
The Oklahoma State Cowboys basketball team represents Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States in NCAA Division I men's basketball competition. The Cowboys currently compete in the Big 12 Conference.Since 1938, the team has played its home games in Gallagher-Iba Arena...
.
Oklahoma State University
On April 16, 2008, Ford became the head basketball coach of the Oklahoma State CowboysOklahoma State Cowboys men's basketball
The Oklahoma State Cowboys basketball team represents Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States in NCAA Division I men's basketball competition. The Cowboys currently compete in the Big 12 Conference.Since 1938, the team has played its home games in Gallagher-Iba Arena...
. In his first season, Ford led the Cowboys to a 23–12 overall record, with a 9–7 record in conference. Ford led Oklahoma State to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since the 2004–05 season. In the tournament, Oklahoma State beat Tennessee before being knocked off by Pittsburgh in the second round. In year two Ford's cowboys finished 22–11, 9–7 in conference. The year was highlighted by wins over a top ten Kansas State on the road and a home win over the number one ranked Kansas Jayhawks. Big 12 player of the year James Anderson
James Anderson (basketball)
James Lee Anderson is an American basketball player with the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association. He played college basketball at Oklahoma State University. In 2010, Anderson was named Big 12 Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year and a first team All-American...
was instrumental in both wins and became Travis Ford's first cowboy to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft.