The Falcons Online -- Seattle Pacific University

Coaching Staff

Julie van Beek, Head Coach

When a head coach was sought for the nationally-recognized Seattle Pacific University womens basketball program, Julie van Bee

When a head coach was sought for the nationally-recognized Seattle Pacific University women’s basketball program, Julie van Beek proved to be a perfect match.

In her first season with the Falcons, van Beek’s team overcame a rough start to advance to the regional championship game and her first-year record was the best for any coach in program history.

A Northwest native who started a program and molded it into a national power at Nashville’s Trevecca Nazarene, van Beek was selected in 2006 to succeed Gordy Presnell, who resigned 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.

Trevecca was a combined 162-119 under van Beek, who is the first female coach for Seattle Pacific since Ann Steffen (1978-82) and sixth overall since the program began in 1975.

“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. It’s a very exciting opportunity.”

Van Beek was honored by Northwest Nazarene as winner of 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.

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

During her playing career at Northwest Nazarene, van Beek twice led the Crusaders in season scoring and was the top rebounder three times. She remains among the career leaders in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots.

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.

Michelle Skyles, Assistant Coach

Michelle Skyles is returning for her second season as the top assistant on the Seattle Pacific University staff staff.

Skyles spent one season at Eastern Washington following a spectacular run of success at the prep level. She guided Jerome High School to the Idaho 4A championship and a perfect record of 25-0 in 2004. In her 10 seasons at the helm, Jerome compiled a record of 190-61, qualified for eight state tournaments and advanced to the championship game four times. Earlier, she coached two years at Burley (Id.).

A longtime friend of head coach Julie van Beek, Skyles was a teammate at Nampa Christian High School and, later, at Northwest Nazarene, where she earned a degree in physical education. She competed in track, soccer as well as basketball at NNU, setting a career record for three-point shooting percentage. Skyles is a native of Nampa, Id., and now resides in the Greenwood neighborhood of Seattle.

Sasha Anderson, Assistant Coach

Sasha Anderson is in her second season on the Seattle Pacific University women’s basketball staff following five seasons at the high school level.

Anderson took Snohomish County Christian to the postseason four times in five years , including a state B tournament appearance in 2004 and an unbeaten regular season in ‘05.

Anderson played at Eastern Mennonite in Virginia and later graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in social welfare. She and husband Lance Anderson reside in Lynnwood.