Head Coach Bucky Ware
mware@bh.richland2.org
803-691-4090 ext. 28119
Coach Michael "Bucky" Ware will be entering his 9th year
as a head high school softball coach, including his fourth season
as the head coach at Blythewood High when the 2009 season begins.
The 2006 Bengals posted an 18-12 record in their first season, winning
the Region IV-3A title. Blythewood also was honored by the NFCA for having
a 3.737 team GPA for the 2005-06 school year, good enough for No. 10 in
the nation. The Bengals also had six players named NFCA Academic Scholar
Athletes, placed five players on the All-Region team and had one player
named All-Area.
The 2007 season brought even more success for the young Bengals, as the
team posted a 21-6 record and its second region title. Amber Chapman and
Lindsey Trombley became the program's first All-State and North/South All-Star
selections. In 2007, seven Bengals were named NFCA Academic Scholar Athletes,
and five earned All-Region honors.
In 2008, the Bengals again claimed the region title, including a 14-0 record
in Region III, and a 24-7 overall record. Blythewood also advanced to the
upper state finals for the first time as it claimed the District IV championship.
Kelly Owens became the third Bengal player to earn All-State, and Nicole
Rountree became the third player selected to the North/South All-Star game.
Ware was named Region Coach of the Year in each of the program's first three
seasons, and was selected as coach for the North/South All-Star game in 2008.
Ware previously served as the head coach at Ridge View High School
from 2001-2005, guiding the Blazers to the state playoffs each season
and earning four playoff wins during those five years. On the field,
Ware coached one All-State athlete, two North/South All-Stars, two All-Area
performers and numerous All-Region recipients. Off the field Ridge View
was also honored by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association after the
2002-05 seasons for its overall team GPA including a stellar 3.787 team
GPA for the 2004-05, school year, ranking No. 6 in the country.
Born in Newberry, S.C., Ware attended Newberry High School
where he served as captain of the varsity tennis team and was involved
in numerous other clubs and activities. He served as editor of the
school paper, The Cordial, and was also a two-time recipient of the
school's "Bulldog Award" which honored the student who put "school
before self."
After graduating from Newberry in 1994, Ware attended the
University of Georgia. While in Athens, he worked in the sports information
department where he assisted in daily press operations for each of
the University's intercollegiate sports. He served as the primary media
contact for the women's soccer and women's softball programs, and also
served as an assistant for numerous SEC and NCAA championship events as
well as the Centennial Olympic games in 1996.
While working with the inaugural softball program at Georgia,
Ware got involved with former head coach (and current Erskine head
coach) Alleen Hawkins' summer camps, and served as a counselor for two
years, igniting his interest in becoming a head softball coach.
Ware graduated with a B.A. in English in 1998 and spent
a year as an intern in the sports information office at Georgia. He
returned to South Carolina in the summer of 1999 and began teaching at
Ridge View that fall. He currently teaches English at Blythewood High.
Ware comes from a family with roots deep in education.
His father, Mike, was the head football coach at Newberry High from
1970-1986, and long time athletic director. Newberry's football field
is named "Mike Ware Field." Bucky's mother, Barbara, worked in the
Newberry County school district, teaching and later in the district
office before spending her last several years in education as an assistant
principal at Clover High School. His sister, Carson, is an administrator
at Pomaria-Garmany Elementary, and has a son, A.J., who frequently attends
Bengal games.
In his spare time, Ware enjoys playing golf, following Georgia
athletics, and spending time with his family and friends.
Year-by-year results (notes)
2001 17-14 (defeated
No. 1 ranked Lexington 2-0, went 2-2 in 4A Lower State playoffs)
2002 15-13 (3rd place
finish in region V-4A, went 0-2 in 4A Lower State playoffs; Julia Buchanan
and Jenny Owen selected North South All-Stars)
2003 9-15 (started
5 freshmen and 2 sophomores, went 0-2 in 4A Upper State playoffs;
Amy Tinman named All-State)
2004 12-13 (3rd place
finish in region IV-4A, went 0-2 in 4A Upper State playoffs)
2005 18-12 (2nd place
finish in region V-4A, went 2-2 in 4A Lower State playoffs; Amy Tinman,
Saidah Grimes named All-Area)
2006 18-12 (Region IV-3A Champions,
went 2-2 in Upper State playoffs; Kelly Hyatt named All-Area)
2007 21-6 (Region III-3A Champions,
went 2-2 in Upper State playoffs; Amber Chapman and Lindsey Trombley named
All-State and All-Stars)
2008 24-7 (Region III-3A Champions,
District IV Champions, 3-3 in Upper State playoffs; Kelly Owens named All-State,
Nicole Rountree named All-Star) Total 134-91
Head Coach Bucky Ware