[4] In 1948, Ward enrolled at the University of Maryland and played varsity football all four years as both an offensive guard and defensive lineman.

"[6]During Ward's four years at Maryland, the Terrapins achieved a 32–7–1 record, won two bowl games, and secured a national championship.

During that final game of his career, Ward tackled Tennessee offensive back Hank Lauricella and forced a fumble, upon which Maryland capitalized with a touchdown.

Ward declined a professional playing career himself, and turned down contract offers from the Baltimore Colts and a 24th-round NFL draft selection by the Dallas Texans.

[12] Ward was voted as Maryland's Most Valuable Player all four years of his playing career and twice received the Anthony C. Nardo Memorial Trophy for the team's most outstanding lineman.

"[1] Quarterback Jack Scarbath considered Ward one of Maryland's best all-time linemen alongside Randy White.

[6] Most of that time was spent as an assistant coach,[1] and he served in that capacity at Maryland from 1952 to 1957,[18] Oklahoma from 1957 to 1958,[19] Iowa State from 1958 to 1965,[20] and Army in 1966.

[21] At the United States Military Academy, Ward enjoyed the strictly regimented environment, and the players appreciated his aggressiveness.

In March 1969, Maryland athletic director Jim Kehoe called a meeting among 120 players, Ward, his assistants, and a three-man committee.

Thirty-one players told Ward that they no longer wished to play on the team and accused him of using intimidation tactics that included verbal and physical abuse.

Ward and his assistants monitored the players' academic performance, enforced class attendance, and placed curfews on perceived troublemakers.

Ward stated that, in his first year, only two of his players failed out of the school that he claimed had a history of poor athlete academics.

"[14]Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen played as an offensive guard under Ward, and was one of the players who remained on the team when 40 of his teammates walked off in protest.

"[6] Kehoe, who had been one of Ward's track coaches in college, said, "I think Bob's problem was that he expected his players to play and hustle the same way he had, and times had changed.

[3] Kelly Ward attended Iowa State University where he was a three-time All-American wrestler and the national champion in his weight class in 1979.

[20] Bob Ward died in one of his sons' homes in Laytonsville, Maryland on April 29, 2005, at the age of 77,[3] due to complications related to Alzheimer's disease.