Julie van Beek, who restarted the Trevecca Nazarene University womenís basketball program in 1996 and developed the program into a national power, announced her resignation as head coach. Van Beek has accepted the head coach position at Seattle Pacific University near her native state of Idaho.

    Julie van Beek was hired in 1996 to revive the womenís basketball program at Trevecca and has built a NAIA national power with a 162-119 record career record. After starting her coaching career with a 4-24 record in her first season at TNU, she quickly turned the program into a winner, posting a 15-14 record in her second season. By season four van Beek produced a shocking 24-9 record, a second-place finish in the TranSouth Athletic Conference and Eastern Conference title, a berth  in  the NAIA National tournament,  and a trip to the NAIA Sweet 16. From there van Beek continued to build, eventually producing a 130-62 record during the last six seasons with six consecutive trips to the NAIA National Tournament.
   
    Julie van Beek recounted how she came to Trevecca: ìIt was 9 years ago yesterday that I came to Tennessee to begin my new job at Trevecca. What an incredible adventure it has been! God truly has done immeasurably more than anything I could ask or imagine. Trevecca has been an incredible place for me. In my first interview with The Tennessean, I was quoted as saying that it was my goal to reach the national tournament in 4 years. Looking back on it that was a pretty lofty goal with the likes of Lipscomb, Union, and Freed in our conference. I am thankful for the players who believed in my vision and worked hard to help us reach our goals. I appreciate the school and the fans who came out in those early years and supported us. We truly had one of the best fan bases in the NAIA. Oh, how I loved to play at home.î

    ìJulie arrived at Trevecca 9 years ago with a dream to build a nationally competitive NAIA program,î said Trevecca athletics director Alan Smith. ìShe was probably the only on who actually believed in that dream, but nine years later we have witnessed here exceed even her lofty goals. We have been fortunate to have her here for nine years. We will search for a coach who can see the same ideals for Trevecca that Julie has and someone who will seek to build on her sound foundation.î

    According to Trevecca President Dan Boone, Trevecca will miss van Beek in more ways than just on the court, ìTrevecca is grateful for the nine years of service that Julie van Beek has rendered. The impact of her leadership of the womenís basketball program has been felt throughout Trevecca, and she will be missed. Her friends at Trevecca realize that she is being given a much-deserved opportunity, and we are happy for her. Trevecca continues to be committed to its womenís basketball program and will begin the process of seeking a replacement for Coach van Beek.î

    Last season the team advanced to the Elite 8 of the NAIA National Tournament,  and  this year four starters return from that team, including NAIA all-Americanís Jackie Weaver and Ashlie Gilland.

    At Seattle Pacific, van Beek replaces Gordy Presnell, who moved to Boise State. The Falcons return four starters and four letter winners from a squad that won the Great Northwest Athletic Conference and advanced to the NCAA Division II national title game.

    Van Beek explains her decision to move to Seattle Pacific. ìSeattle Pacific is a great Christian school with one of the top NCAA Division II programs in the country. I was drawn to it because it was closer to my family. My sister lives in Olympia, Wash.,  and the rest of my family is an hour away by plane. It also is a great fit for my personality because  there coaching can still be ministry. I am in coaching because I wouldnít be the Christian I am or the person I am without the impact of the incredible coaches I had in junior high, high school and college.î