article_snippet.sent: That's about 5 miles from the campus of Illinois State, where Ward and Leetch both worked.
article_snippet.sent: A standout player at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in his hometown between 1996 and 2000, Ward played professionally in China alongside Yao Ming before getting into coaching.
article_snippet.sent: his was part of the staffs at Jacksonsville State University, the University of Mississippi and, for one year, in China before coming to Illinois State as an assistant prior to the 2012 season.
article_snippet.sent: his was promoted to associate head coach in May 2014, according to his official bio.
article_snippet.sent: Coming from Arkansas State University, Leetch joined ISU in 2005 as an athletic director for development before assuming a number of other roles through 2011, his bio notes.
article_snippet.sent: Leetch left the Illinois school to serve as director of athletics at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, then came back in June 2013 as ISU's deputy director of athletics.
article_snippet.sent: ISU's deputy director of athletics was in charge of the Redbirds' athletics communications and video production units, and had a hands-on role in hands-on football, men's basketball, golf and baseball programs.
article_snippet.sent: Athletic Director Larry Lyons described Leetch as "a shining star in the business," while lauding Ward as "a talented coach and recruiter" with a big personality who was loved by fans.