JOPLIN, Mo. – Missouri Southern Football will honor the life and legacy of former head coach John Ware Saturday on the 20th anniversary of his passing.
 
Festivities for Saturday's Remembrance Game against Northwest Missouri State University include lunch, a campus tour, alumni tailgate and a halftime recognition of Coach Ware. 
 
Registration for Coach John Ware Memorial Weekend is currently available online.
 
Ware was named the head coach of the Lions in 2003, inheriting a 1-10 program and immediately instilling hope and competitiveness, leading the Lions to a 5-6 record in his first season and earning National Coach of the Year honors from College Sports Report.
 
Ware coached current Southern head coach Atiba Bradley and defensive coordinator Joe Bettasso while at the helm of the program. 
 
Ware tragically passed away of a massive heart attack at his desk at Missouri Southern on Sept. 27, 2005. 
 
Widely respected for his fiery competitiveness, his devotion to his players, and his genuine care for the entire Lions Athletic Department, Ware left a profound impact on his colleagues, athletes, and the Joplin community.
 
An Ottumwa, Iowa, native, Ware, was a talented all-district and all-state offensive lineman for the Ottumwa Bulldogs. He went on to excel as a three-year starting offensive lineman at Drake University from 1978 to 1980.
 
At Drake, he earned First Team All-Missouri Valley Conference honors in 1980. Ware also participated in the 1981 Blue Gray All-Star Game before graduating from Drake University in 1981 with a degree in Psychology. He also earned his master's degree in psychology from Truman State University in 1987.
 
Ware briefly signed with the San Francisco 49ers, where he played in four exhibition games before the team went on to win the Super Bowl that season. 
 
He then began his coaching career at his alma mater in Ottumwa, Iowa, and in 1985 joined Truman State University as a graduate assistant before becoming a full-time assistant coach, where he served until 1994, contributing to a record of 65-44.
 
Ware was named the head coach at Truman State in 1995, serving nine seasons with a record of 54-43. He finished third or better in the MIAA five times, and produced multiple All-Americans, including 1996 Harlon Hill Trophy winner Jarrett Anderson.
 
Off the gridiron, Ware was a world-class strength athlete, winning five U.S. Senior National Powerlifting Championships, setting a world record total of 2,427 pounds in the squat, bench, and deadlift in 1989, and being crowned the World Powerlifting Champion in 1991 as the strongest man in the world.
 
Ware married his wife, Melissa, whom he met at Truman State University on May 16, 1987.
 
The Joplin City Council presented a proclamation recognizing the life and legacy of Coach Ware Monday evening to commence the week of remembrance. 
   
Please join the Missouri Southern Football Staff and Alumni Saturday, Sept. 20, in remembrance of the 20th Anniversary of Coach John Ware's death. Registration is available online.
 
Lunch and Campus Tour – Noon to 2 p.m., CT - Connor Ballroom at Billingsly Student Center 
Alumni Tailgate to follow - Fred G. Hughes Stadium 
Kickoff against Northwest Missouri State – 4 p.m., CT - Fred G. Hughes Stadium 
Halftime Recognition of Coach Ware - Fred G. Hughes Stadium