RICHMOND, Va. – VCU Head Golf Coach Matt Ball will retire, effective June 30, 2021, after 22 years at the helm. VCU Vice President and Director of Athletics Ed McLaughlin announced Ball's retirement on Tuesday.
 
"It has been my honor and privilege to be able to coach so many outstanding young men," Ball said. "I have so many great memories I will take to my grave. I will continue to be their biggest fan, and I can't wait to see the upcoming accomplishments of the current players and those yet to come. I'm so thankful VCU has allowed me to lead the program for so many years."
 
Ball, a 1987 VCU graduate and golf team alumnus, coached the Rams to 10 NCAA Regional appearances, as well as the program's first NCAA Championship berth, and nine conference titles. Ball was named conference Coach of the Year four times. He mentored three league Players of the Year and his student-athletes received 34 All-Conference citations. In addition, VCU players received 10 Academic All-America honors during his tenure. In March, he guided the Rams to a win at the Horseshoe Intercollegiate in Williamsburg, Va. for the 22^nd tournament victory of his VCU career.
 
A Fredericksburg, Va. native, Ball twice earned medalist honors as a player for VCU, and as a senior, he was named to the Golf Coaches Association of America Academic All-America Team. He graduated magna cum laude from VCU with a degree in marketing in 1987. He returned to the program as head coach in 1999, and promptly led the Rams to three consecutive Colonial Athletic Association Championships. His 2002 squad placed fifth at the NCAA East Regional and advanced to the NCAA Championship at Ohio State's Scarlet Course in Columbus, Ohio.
 
Both of Ball's sons, Matt Jr. and Adam, became All-Conference players for the Rams, and in 2014, the trio teamed up to capture an Atlantic 10 Conference Championship together. Adam later won back-to-back A-10 individual titles in 2015 and 2016.
 
Many of Ball's players have moved on to successful professional golf careers, including current PGA Tour standout Lanto Griffin, who captured the 2019 Houston Open and recently competed at The Masters.   
 
"We cannot thank Matt enough for his many years of service to VCU, as a student-athlete and as an employee," McLaughlin said. "Beyond the conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances that fill his résumé, his passion for coaching and mentoring the young men in his program will impact our department for years to come. We will miss Matt as a colleague and a friend but expect to have him stay involved in our program when he can."
 
McLaughlin said that VCU will begin a national search for a new head golf coach immediately.