Former Trapper standout named new NWC women's hoops coach After a national search that attracted 82 applicants, it turns out Northwest College's new head women's basketball coach won't require much of an introduction after all. When all was said and done, the search turned into a homecoming celebration.Janis Beal, a Big Horn Basin basketball icon after two record-setting seasons at Northwest College and a stellar prep career at Lovell, was officially named the Trappers' new head women's basketball coach on Wednesday morning. She succeeds Chad Oletzke, who resigned due to personal reasons following the 2009 season. “I'm excited,” Beal said by telephone. “I'm excited to have the opportunity to be back in Powell and back at Northwest College. I'm glad I was chosen and I look forward to bringing enthusiasm to the women's basketball program.”Beal will assume her duties at Northwest beginning in early May. She will direct Northwest College's summer girls' basketball camp in June. “I am very excited to have the chance to work with Janis Beal again,” said Jim Zeigler, Northwest College's athletic director. “It is a rare and precious opportunity to have one of our most successful graduates return home to join the team. I am very proud to have Janis as a leader and role model for our future student athletes.”Beal returns to the Trapper program after serving as an assistant this past season at Snow College in Utah. Beal also served as an assistant at Eastern Washington University after wrapping up an impressive playing career at Southern Utah University, where she was a member of the Mid-Continent Conference's all-newcomer team as a junior and part of the second-team all-conference roster as a senior.Beal also assisted as a volunteer at Lovell High School for a season while completing her master's degree. The position at Northwest College marks her first stint as a head coach in the college ranks.In returning to her alma mater, Beal inherits a team that posted a 12-20 record this past season, with three of those wins coming by way of forfeit. The Trappers got off to a slow start in 2008-2009, winning just three of their first 17 games, but closed strong with a 9-6 record over the season's final 15 games. The Trappers graduate five sophomores off their roster, including Erin Cooke, who recently signed with Colorado State University.“The first thing I want to do is sit down and meet with the freshmen,” said Beal. “I want to see where we're at and what we've got coming back. After that, recruiting is definitely a priority.”With the signing period already open, Beal may find herself playing catch-up initially on the recruiting trail. It's a position she doesn't feel will put her at a disadvantage in her first season as head coach. “There are a lot of kids out there that can play,” said Beal. “There's kids that didn't get the Division I offers they were hoping for that are deciding the junior college route might be best for them. There's players that are still weighing their options. I'm not worried about being able to find people that can come in and play for Northwest College.”As a player at Northwest College, Beal ranked among the nation's scoring leaders as a freshman with an average of 26.3 points per game. She concluded her Trapper career as the school's career scoring leader with 1,382 points. The Trappers went 26-6 during Beal's sophomore season, the best campaign recorded by a Northwest College women's basketball team.While she won't be able to suit up and light up the scoreboard, she leaves little doubt about her desire to see the team return to the same perch it enjoyed while she was a player in the program. “It starts with who you recruit,” said Beal. “You create a team atmosphere where everyone is important. It really takes a team attitude.”As for how Beal foresees that night several months from now when she hears her name announced over the Cabre Gym loudspeakers as the Trappers' head coach, she's certain there will be a few nerves.“It was strange to be sitting on the other side when (Snow) played here last season,” said Beal. “I'm sure there will be some nerves. I'll be very excited to be stepping onto the floor again. I'm sure I'll be nervous, confident and excited.”Most of all, she'll be home.

Former Trapper standout named new NWC women's hoops coach

After a national search that attracted 82 applicants, it turns out Northwest College's new head women's basketball coach won't require much of an introduction after all. When all was said and done, the search turned into a homecoming celebration.

Janis Beal, a Big Horn Basin basketball icon after two record-setting seasons at Northwest College and a stellar prep career at Lovell, was officially named the Trappers' new head women's basketball coach on Wednesday morning. She succeeds Chad Oletzke, who resigned due to personal reasons following the 2009 season.

“I'm excited,” Beal said by telephone. “I'm excited to have the opportunity to be back in Powell and back at Northwest College. I'm glad I was chosen and I look forward to bringing enthusiasm to the women's basketball program.”

Beal will assume her duties at Northwest beginning in early May. She will direct Northwest College's summer girls' basketball camp in June.

“I am very excited to have the chance to work with Janis Beal again,” said Jim Zeigler, Northwest College's athletic director. “It is a rare and precious opportunity to have one of our most successful graduates return home to join the team. I am very proud to have Janis as a leader and role model for our future student athletes.”

Beal returns to the Trapper program after serving as an assistant this past season at Snow College in Utah. Beal also served as an assistant at Eastern Washington University after wrapping up an impressive playing career at Southern Utah University, where she was a member of the Mid-Continent Conference's all-newcomer team as a junior and part of the second-team all-conference roster as a senior.

Beal also assisted as a volunteer at Lovell High School for a season while completing her master's degree. The position at Northwest College marks her first stint as a head coach in the college ranks.

In returning to her alma mater, Beal inherits a team that posted a 12-20 record this past season, with three of those wins coming by way of forfeit. The Trappers got off to a slow start in 2008-2009, winning just three of their first 17 games, but closed strong with a 9-6 record over the season's final 15 games.

The Trappers graduate five sophomores off their roster, including Erin Cooke, who recently signed with Colorado State University.

“The first thing I want to do is sit down and meet with the freshmen,” said Beal. “I want to see where we're at and what we've got coming back. After that, recruiting is definitely a priority.”

With the signing period already open, Beal may find herself playing catch-up initially on the recruiting trail. It's a position she doesn't feel will put her at a disadvantage in her first season as head coach.

“There are a lot of kids out there that can play,” said Beal. “There's kids that didn't get the Division I offers they were hoping for that are deciding the junior college route might be best for them. There's players that are still weighing their options. I'm not worried about being able to find people that can come in and play for Northwest College.”

As a player at Northwest College, Beal ranked among the nation's scoring leaders as a freshman with an average of 26.3 points per game. She concluded her Trapper career as the school's career scoring leader with 1,382 points. The Trappers went 26-6 during Beal's sophomore season, the best campaign recorded by a Northwest College women's basketball team.

While she won't be able to suit up and light up the scoreboard, she leaves little doubt about her desire to see the team return to the same perch it enjoyed while she was a player in the program.

“It starts with who you recruit,” said Beal. “You create a team atmosphere where everyone is important. It really takes a team attitude.”

As for how Beal foresees that night several months from now when she hears her name announced over the Cabre Gym loudspeakers as the Trappers' head coach, she's certain there will be a few nerves.

“It was strange to be sitting on the other side when (Snow) played here last season,” said Beal. “I'm sure there will be some nerves. I'll be very excited to be stepping onto the floor again. I'm sure I'll be nervous, confident and excited.”

Most of all, she'll be home.