You Can Call Them �Coach�: SPU Fills
Women�s Basketball and Volleyball Positions
TWO NEW COACHES MOVED into offices in Brougham Pavilion this summer. Chris Johnson
was elevated to head coach of women�s volleyball while Julie van Beek was handed the helm of women�s basketball.
In van Beek, Seattle Pacific University gets a proven winner. At Nashville�s Trevecca Nazarene, she averaged 21 wins over her final six seasons and took the Trojans to the NAIA Elite Eight in 2005. Trevecca was a combined 162-119 under van Beek, who will be the first female coach for SPU since 1982.
A Northwest native, she graduated from Northwest Nazarene University. NNU is also the alma mater of longtime Falcon coach Gordy Presnell, who resigned June 3 after 18 years to accept a position at Boise State.
Van Beek inherits a Seattle Pacific squad that advanced to the NCAA national championship
game in 2005 and finished 30-3. Four starters, all seniors, are back from a program that has won three straight conference crowns and two West Region titles in a row.
�Julie is a terrific coach and inspiring Christian
woman,� says Athletic Director Tom Box. �She is known for building strong relationships,
and not only teaches the game of basketball
but also addresses life�s lessons.�
�I take over a great program,� says van Beek, �and I know there are a lot of great coaches out there who wanted this job. I have met the players and they are super-impressive. It�s an exciting opportunity.�
Johnson, an assistant coach last season, replaces Kellie Ryan, who resigned in April after five seasons and a record of 83-51.
A native of Bellevue, Washington, and graduate
of Westmont College, Johnson makes his debut August 27 with a tournament in Big Rapids, Michigan.
�We searched the nation aggressively and found a very compelling candidate right under our own noses,� says Box. �Chris brings fresh ideas and will move the program forward.�
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