D2 Washburn University head basketball coach Brett Ballard was seriously injured in a single vehicle accident shortly after 8:15pm last night.

Washburn has released the following statement:

“We are deeply saddened to share that Coach Brett Ballard was seriously injured in a car accident last evening. Our hearts are with Coach Ballard, his family, the men’s basketball program and all who are affected during this difficult time. We ask our community to keep them in their thoughts during this time of recovery and to respect the family’s privacy. The university will share additional information when appropriate.” JuliAnn Mazachek, president, Washburn University

According to the crash report,  Ballard’s vehicle was “WB on I-70 when it left the roadway and went to the left, struck a delineator post, the embankment, and then a bridge pillar”.

Ballard, who played at Kansas, has been the head coach at Washburn for the past nine seasons and has compiled a 198-81 (.710) during his tenure.

Prior to becoming a head coach, Ballard spent seven years on Bill Self’s staff at KU. He was the director of basketball operations for his final two seasons on staff, and prior to that, he served as the administrative assistant/video coordinator for four years and a volunteer student assistant for one year.

More on this story as information becomes available.