CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Harvard Athletics is excited to announce that two Coach of Excellence recipients have been recognized for their performances during the 2022-23 season. The Ragatz Family Harvard Women's Coach of Excellence distinction goes to Mike Way of women's squash, while Ted Donato of men's hockey has been honored with The James Herscot '58 Coach of Excellence.

"Honoring excellence is integral to Athletics and recognizing coaches who personify our values while achieving team excellence is a joy that we are grateful to be able to bestow annually," said The John D. Nichols '53 Family Director of Athletics Erin McDermott. "Mike Way and Ted Donato led their respective teams to achieve excellence last year while exemplifying our core values. We celebrate their success and are proud they are with Harvard."
 
Following an historic women's squash season, Way is a first-time Ragatz Family Harvard Women's Coach of Excellence honoree having previously received the Herscot award. Way guided the program to its eighth straight Howe Cup and team national championship in 2022-23, where Harvard upset No. 1 Trinity in the finals to capture the title. His team also secured its CSA record 100^th consecutive win and posted a 14-1 record overall en route to its seventh straight Ivy League title. Way was once again named Ivy League Coach of the Year, a perennial recognition he has received for the last seven years. Three players made the All-Ivy League first team under Way's direction, with his Crimson athletes individually posting a 104-30 mark for the season.
 
Donato collects his first James Herscot '58 Coach of Excellence nod following last season's 24-8-2 performance, where men's hockey went 13-1-0 on home ice and 18-4-0 in ECAC play to achieve the sixth 20-plus win season of Donato's career. Harvard played its way into the ECAC Tournament and Beanpot Championship games while also securing a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the sixth time in the last seven completed seasons. Under Donato's guidance, Sean Farrell (ECAC Player of the Year) and Henry Thrun (Defenseman of the Year) earned major ECAC honors and Harvard led the nation with 15 NHL draft picks on the roster. Since the end of the season, six Crimson standouts have signed NHL contracts and two (Sean Farrell, Canadiens, and Henry Thrun, Sharks) have seen NHL action.
 
"In Mike and Ted, we have two talented educator coaches whose teams continue to shine both in the classroom and in competition," said Erin McDermott, The John D. Nichols '53 Family Director of Athletics. "I am grateful for their leadership and mentorship of our Crimson student-athletes and it's my honor to recognize and reward the excellence of these head coaches."
 
A tradition that began six years ago, The Ragatz Family Harvard Women's Coach of Excellence may be awarded to a coach of any women's team, while either a men's or women's coach may receive The James Herscot '58 Coach of Excellence. Criteria for selection includes coaching tenure at Harvard, overall contribution to the athletics department, team performance, student-athlete experience and development, leadership within their sport or at Harvard, and other criteria related to excellence in coaching at Harvard.

Previous Award Recipients

The Ragatz Family Harvard Women's Coach of Excellence

2022-23: Tjerk van Herwaarden, Field Hockey; Stephanie Wriede Morawski '92, Women's Swimming & Diving
2021-22: Traci Green, Women's Tennis
2020-21: Mel Denham, Rugby
2019-20: Jenny Allard, Softball; Tjerk van Herwaarden, Field Hockey
2018-19: Jenny Allard, Softball 

The James Herscot '58 Coach of Excellence

2022-23: Andrew Rueb '95, Men's Tennis; Daria Schneider, Men's and Women's Fencing
2021-22: Strength & Conditioning Staff
2020-21: Tommy Amaker, Men's Basketball
2019-20: Kevin Tyrrell, Men's Swimming & Diving; Mike Way, Men's and Women's Squash
2018-19: Brian Baise, Men's Volleyball; Ted Minnis, Men's and Women's Water Polo