OLYMPIA, Wash. – After 13 seasons at the helm of The Evergreen State College women’s basketball program, head coach and assistant athletic director Monica Heuer has decided to step down from her coaching post and move into a full-time administrative position, effective at the end of the 2013-14 season.
“I would like to thank the administration, President Purce, Wendy Endress, Lee Hoemann, the person who hired me Dave Weber, and the Director of Recreation and Athletics Matt Newman and all of my colleagues I have the pleasure working with every day,” said Heuer. “The support has been great and has even increased throughout my 13 years as the women’s basketball coach at The Evergreen State College. It has been a wonderful experience to build a program based on accountability, relationships, discipline, community and high graduation rates.”
Heuer, the longest tenured coach in school history, took over the program prior to the 2001-02 season after two stints as head coach at Patten College in Oakland, Calif. A 1991 graduate of Cal State University Hayward (now Cal State East Bay), she also served as an assistant coach at NCAA Division I San Jose State and University of San Francisco.
“Coach Heuer truly is the face of Evergreen basketball,” said athletic director Matt Newman. “Monica brings a consistent student-first approach to all of her work, and that combined with her exceptional work-ethic and high level of integrity have produced impressive results for the women’s basketball program and for the College.”
Over the past 13 seasons, she has posted a career record of 108-255 heading into the weekend. Her teams made the postseason six times in her tenure and look to clinch a third-straight trip and a seventh overall for Heuer this weekend against Warner Pacific and Concordia.
“I know so many people on campus, in the community, and across the country who consider Monica a top-notch mentor, educator, and friend,” added Newman. “She will be missed on the court, but we are excited to retain her in an administrative role.”
Assistant coach Jennifer Schooler will take over the program in an interim capacity, effective at the end of the season. A 2002 graduate of the University of Idaho, where she played for the Vandals, coach Schooler is in her fourth season as an assistant for Heuer and the Geoduck women.
“My right hand, Jennifer Schooler, who has been an integral part of our success, has exceeded expectations in her role as assistant coach,” added Heuer. “With her at the helm as interim head coach, this program will continue to move forward in a positive way.”
Information regarding the national search to hire a permanent replacement will be announced in the near future