Since 1975, Ted Wolford, former head coach and current assistant coach, has embedded lacrosse into his life. Since this start, Wolford has kept lacrosse as an integral part of his life. His passion for the sport started his sophomore year in high school, on the Upper Arlington lacrosse team.
“I was very fortunate to start playing my sophomore year with my brother,” Wolford said.
After graduating high school, Wolford went to The Ohio State University to further his education as well as his lacrosse career. Before his first season started, Wolford injured his knee, preventing him from playing. While some athletes may have struggled with what to do next, Wolford took this opportunity to continue to serve Upper Arlington.
“There was an opening at Jones [Middle School], and I was asked if I would be willing to go down and coach, and that’s what I did,” Wolford said.
After two years of coaching at Jones, Wolford was asked to join the coaching staff of the high school team. He served as head junior varsity coach as well as varsity defensive coach. After five years of coaching, Wolford continued to bounce around the UA lacrosse program. In 1992, his brother Bill Wolford stepped down as head coach to start the Worthington Kilbourne Wolves lacrosse program.
“I applied for the job to take over at the high school, and I did and was fortunate enough to coach as head coach for 25 years,” he said.
But for Wolford, coaching has never been just about teaching the fundamentals of lacrosse or winning championships. It’s about shaping young athletes into respected, hardworking individuals.
“One of the things that has always been at the core [of the team] is respect: teaching our guys that they have to have respect for their teammates, their coaches, the officials, the opponents,” he said.
Wolford’s coaching style combined intense preparation with a deep passion for the sport, creating a legacy that extended beyond wins and losses.
“It’s not about winning and losing, it’s about how you play the game,” he said.
Wolford’s coaching style is technical and precise, ensuring he trains the athletes to their greatest capacity.
“One of the things that we talk about with the guys is that practice doesn’t make perfect, but perfect practice makes perfect,” he said.
Just as athletes refine their skills and learn new plays, coaches must also evolve. Coaching isn’t fixed but is developed over time through experience, mentorship and adaptation. Wolford has shaped his coaching philosophy by drawing from the many athletes and coaches he has learned from.
“There’s a lot of influences in my style of coaching. It’s everybody that I’ve ever played against or coached against has influenced me in some way or another,” he said.
According to the coaches bio on UA Golden Bear Lacrosse website, Wolford’s style has seen immense success throughout his career countless times. Over his time at UA, he secured 16 state championships and 10 Midwest titles.
Team building is extremely important. It strengthens teamwork, relationships between teammates and a better understanding of your coaches and the game that is played. A lot of team building is led by coaches but supported by captains. Wolford gives responsibility to the captains to support their fellow teammates has been beneficial to the program.
“We rely heavily on our captains. [They] can easily tell if somebody’s down and not being [as] talkative as they normally are,” he said.
Ted Wolford isn’t just a coach at UA. He is a cornerstone for the lacrosse community’s legacy. His impacts extend beyond the field, shaping many athletes and cementing Upper Arlington as a powerhouse in Ohio lacrosse. Through decades of dedication, he has not only built a winning program but also helped grow the sport across the state.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to come out to practice, to talk to the guys, see how they’re doing, both physically and mentally. We all get stronger together,” he said.
