Ken Bone, who guided Seattle Pacific University through its most successful era of men's basketball, resigned as head coach April 16 and has accepted a position on the University of Washington staff.
In Bone's 12 seasons, the Falcons won a higher percentage of games (.723), more conference titles (6) and earned more NCAA tournament berths (8) than in any other period in the pro-gram's 59-year existence. Bone, 43, finished with a record of 253-97, including a mark of 24-5 this past season when Seattle Pacific claimed a share of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship and advanced to the second round of the Division II tournament. SPU was ranked No. 9 in the final coaches poll.
"It's a great opportunity to go to the University of Washington and be part of Lorenzo Romar's coaching staff, and I think for me and my family it's a good career move," says Bone. "At the same time, leaving SPU is very difficult because I've given 16 years of my life to this institution, and it's an unbelievably great place to work."
Athletic Director Tom Box says losing Bone is bittersweet. "An outstanding coach and leader like Ken deserves this recognition and opportunity to apply his skills at Washington. He has excelled as a mentor to his players, as a trusted colleague and as a close friend to many in our community."
Seattle Pacific posted eight 20-win seasons under Bone, including each of the last four years. The Falcons reached the Sweet 16 five times in the last eight years. They won the West Regional en route to the 2000 Final Four — the best-ever postseason advancement for an SPU squad. Following that season, Bone was voted Pacific West Conference and NABC District 8 Coach of the Year. Each of his teams finished with a winning record, and he trails only Les Habegger (1957-74) in total victories.
All three winter sports earned post-season berths, with Seattle Pacific University taking fourth at the USA Gymnastics Collegiate Championships and women's basketball making the NCAA tournament for the sixth year in a row.
Alison Siegel-McAfee, Kristen Strid and Corrie McDaniel each took home All-America honors from the gymnastics championships April 11-13 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Siegel-McAfee, one of three seniors, finished second in the vault. She set three school records during her career. McDaniel was fifth in the all-around, and Strid was fifth on balance beam.
In basketball, the Falcon women completed the season at 22-7 after being eliminated by Cal State Bakersfield 96-84 in the West Regional, March 7 in Pomona, California. All-conference center Kelley Berglund was selected to the all-tournament team. At the men's regional in San Bernardino, SPU defeated BYU Hawaii 82-57 in the first round before bowing to Humboldt State, 89-82.
Despite unseasonably cold weather, Seattle Pacific University spring sports started exceptionally strong. Six weeks into its season, the track and field program already had 12 NCAA qualifiers, and the rowing teams were practically unbeatable.
Seniors Stephanie Huffman (long jump, javelin, heptathlon) and Rachel Ross (800 and 1500 meters) topped the list of qualifiers, with Ross winning her first four 800 races. Dionna Anderson, an All-America in the shot put during indoor nationals, became the first SPU thrower since 1978 to throw beyond 46 feet. The NCAA Championships are May 23-25 in San Angelo, Texas.
In rowing, the Falcons emerged unscathed in women's novice fours categories after the first seven regattas, including a conference title in that category. Also winning at conference were the varsity four, varsity pair and junior varsity four, and overall the women took second place.
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