Haskell Atheltics appoints new head coach to lead women’s basketball in their return to the court.
Haskell Athletics has finally closed its uncertainty with the Women’s Basketball program staff by appointing new head Coach, Adam Strom.
Adam Strom was born in Yakima, WA and is a member of the Yakama Nation. Strom graduated from White Swan High School in 1995, located in White Swan, WA. Strom completed his Bachelor’s degree with Heritage University (2016) and soon followed with a Master’s degree in 2019 from Heritage University as well. Although he was born and raised on the Yakama Reservation, he is proud to reference his late father’s Quinault Indian Nation ancestry. The Quinault Indian Reservation is located in Taholah, WA
Before entering the college ranks, Adam spent 15 years coaching high school basketball. Ten years were spent coaching boys varsity and five were spent coaching girls varsity. Coaching high school varsity at four different high schools, Strom was fortunate to experience state playoffs for each respective school, in four different classifications. He was named Coach of the Year at each high school, and received the honor as the Yakima Valley College coach as well.
Adam Strom is completing his fifth and final season as the Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Yakima Valley College, which is a member of the Northwest Athletic Conference. During his first season Strom guided the Lady Yaks to a 17 win season, a playoff game, and managed to turnaround the program which had a total of 3 wins the season prior to him taking over. The pandemic ended Strom’s 21 win season last year, as the Lady Yaks qualified for the NWAC Playoffs.
Being named the Haskell Indian Nations University Head Women’s Basketball Coach is considered to be a distinguished honor and lofty accomplishment, Strom hopes to utilize past experiences to lead the Fightin’ Indians to success. Adam plans on implementing his fast-paced, uptempo, intensive defensive pressure, and team oriented style of basketball to Lawrence, KS. Coach Strom references “controlled chaos” as a product of structured practices for his squad, but unfamiliar territory for the opposition.
Adam realizes the value of education, and knows the importance of being a student-athlete. He served as math teacher, principal, athletic director, and most recently as the Yakama Nation Tribal School Superintendent. This was made possible by completing both his Residency and Administrative credentials at Heritage University, located in Toppenish, WA.
Strom will be relocating with his wife of 21 years, Relyn Strom, who has been a renowned school teacher and administrator throughout her professional career. Together they have three sons, Isiah who played collegiately at Yakima Valley College for two seasons. The younger Strom brothers are twins, Bryan, Jr. and Bryce. The twins are completing their first season at Yakima Valley College. Adam is the son of Phyllis and the late Ted Strom, Jr. He also has four brothers and three sisters.
The Athletics Department is excited to have Coach Strom with his level of experience and loyalty to his programs. We anticipate he will make our department proud and bring a championship back to Coffin Sports Complex and the Fightin’ Indians!
