D. Scott “Scooter” Ward

Dr. D. Scott “Scooter” Ward of Lawrence, Kansas — loved whole-heartedly and missed by many — was born Sept. 21, 1966, in Kingman, Kansas. 

He earned three degrees from the University of Kansas and was on the KU faculty before joining Kansas Athletics in 2003. He became a foundational figure in student-athlete support. Under his stewardship, Kansas men’s basketball became a national model for academic achievement. During his tenure, KU produced 35 Academic All-Big 12 selections — more than any other conference school — including two first-team Academic All Americans. In his final role, he counseled student-athletes across all 16 varsity sports on mental performance. 

His daily example was all the more powerful given the physical challenges he shouldered without complaint. He never let those challenges define him or to slow his commitment to others. Those who knew and worked alongside Scooter describe a man with a rare emotional intelligence — someone who made connection feel effortless and made people feel seen — traits that colleagues say place in him a lineage of legendary Kansas Athletics figures whose influence was felt far beyond competition. 

Scooter died Jan. 3, 2026, at The University of Kansas Health System, surrounded by family and close friends. He was 59. He is survived by his wife, Robin (Harnden) Ward, of Lawrence; Karen Ward, of Kingman; brothers, Mike Ward and Alan Ward, both of Overland Park, Kansas; a niece, Tori, and a nephew, Keller, both of Boulder, Colorado; mother-in-law, Wanda Harnden, of Anthony; a plethora of Harnden in-laws; many cousins; and close friends who were like family. He was preceded in death by his father, Don Ward.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 6001 Bob Billings Parkway, Lawrence, and livestreamed through the Warren-McElwain website, www.warrenmcelwain.com. The Mass will be followed by a 5–7 p.m. celebration at University of Kansas Conference Center at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, 815 Fambrough Drive, also in Lawrence, with a program at 6 p.m. An additional memorial celebration will be held at The Hangar, 126 N. Main Street, Kingman, on Saturday, Feb. 28, 1–3 p.m.