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SEATTLE (July 11, 2005) – Julie van Beek, a Northwest native who started a program and molded it into a national power at Nashville’s Trevecca Nazarene, has been named the new head coach of women’s basketball at Seattle Pacific University. Van Beek replaces Gordy Presnell, who resigned June 3 after 18 years to accept a position at Boise State.

During her nine years at Trevecca Nazarene, van Beek rapidly lifted the Trojans to national prominence at the NAIA Division I level. Her team went from four wins the first season to 15 the next. In the last six seasons TNU averaged over 21 victories and reached the national tournament each year, including a national quarterfinal finish in 2005.

Van Beek inherits a Seattle Pacific squad which advanced to the NCAA Division II national championship game and finished 30-3. Four starters, all seniors, are back from a program which has won three straight Great Northwest Athletic Conference crowns and two West Region titles in a row.

Trevecca was a combined 162-119 under van Beek, who is expected to arrive in Seattle later this month, and participate in the Falcon Basketball Camp for Girls July 25-28 at Brougham Pavilion. Van Beek is the first female coach for Seattle Pacific since Ann Steffen (1978-82).

“Julie is competitive, accustomed to winning, has high expectations and demands hard work,” said athletic director Tom Box. “She is not only a terrific coach, she is an inspiring Christian woman. Julie is known for building strong relationships, and in her role as coach not only teaches the game of basketball but addresses life’s lessons as well.”

“Julie is a teacher at heart, and has a passion for helping players develop themselves and their game,” added Box. “She is a successful recruiter who attracts young women who have proven both successful on the court and in the classroom.”

“I’m honored and humbled,” said van Beek. “I take over a great program and I know there are of lot of great coaches out there who wanted this job. I have met the players and they are super-impressive. It’s a very exciting opportunity.”

Van Beek, 38, was honored by Northwest Nazarene as the Nampa, Id., school’s Leon Doane Young Alumnus Award in 2004, an honor which recognizes Christian character, demonstrated leadership, professional endeavors and support of their alma mater. Coincidentally, Presnell was also an NNU alum. Presnell has already congratulated van Beek and the two have exchanged information to hasten the transition.

“Gordy is a man I’ve admired from afar,” said van Beek. “He’s done an outstanding job. When I heard he was leaving, it never crossed my mind that I might replace him. At Trevecca, we have one of the best programs in NAIA, and Seattle Pacific is one of the few Christian schools which can compare in terms of success and support.”

Van Beek is a member the USA Basketball Selection Committee. She also has served as the NAIA Women’s Basketball Coaches Association president.

She has 12 years of collegiate coaching experience. Van Beek was an assistant for Oklahoma’s Southern Nazarene from 1992-96, when that program won three NAIA titles.

After graduating from Nampa Christian High School, van Beek earned her B.A. in education from NNU in 1989 and her Master’s in education from Southern Nazarene in 1994.

Van Beek becomes Seattle Pacific’s sixth head coach since the program began in 1975. The Falcons have posted winning records for the past 18 years, won a total of six conference championships and qualified for the NCAA tournament nine straight seasons and 10 of the last 11.