Seattle University athletics director Bill Hogan has announced the hiring of Suzy Barcomb as the new head coach of the Redhawk women’s basketball program. With a longstanding history in the Pacific Northwest, Barcomb brings a wealth of both playing and coaching experience to Seattle U.
“Suzy has been a highly successful head women’s basketball coach for the last 18 years, turning two NCAA intercollegiate programs into consistent winners,” said Hogan. “As a former player at the University of Washington and a head women’s basketball coach at the University of Puget Sound, Suzy has strong connections with high school coaches in the Pacific Northwest. We know Suzy will develop Seattle U women’s basketball into a championship caliber team over the next few years.”
Barcomb most recently completed her sixth season at the helm of the Cal State East Bay women’s basketball program where she led the Pioneers to the university’s first-ever conference championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in any sport. She surpassed career win No. 300 in February 2015 and led her team to the institution’s first-ever postseason win, advancing to the conference championships that season.
Prior to Cal State East Bay, Barcomb was at the helm of the University of Puget Sound for 12 seasons where she became the all-time winningest coach in program history.
“When this coaching vacancy presented itself, I knew it would be a tremendous opportunity for me personally and professionally,” said Barcomb. “I’ve called the Pacific Northwest my home for the better part of 25 years and I am incredibly thankful that Bill Hogan has the confidence in me and my abilities to direct the women’s basketball program.”
Barcomb started her coaching career as an assistant at Puget Sound (1995-98) and has a wealth of experience, working in every facet of athletics administration – event management, sports information, academic advising, and recruitment – in addition to coaching. She is a member of the USA Today/ESPN Board of Coaches National Committee and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA).
Beginning her collegiate playing career as a middle hitter on the volleyball team and a forward on the basketball team at Central Missouri State, Barcomb transferred to Washington where she walked on to the Huskies’ women’s basketball team, playing one season. Barcomb graduated from the University of Washington in 1986.
“I want to thank Fr. Sundborg, Bill Hogan, and Tim Leary for the opportunity to join the Seattle University athletics department,” Barcomb said. “Not often in the coaching profession do you get to return to a place you call home and, for me, that is the Pacific Northwest. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting every single staff member while interviewing and knew this was a department that I wished to become a part of. Everyone was so welcoming and it was obviously a perfect fit while walking around campus; I felt at home.”
Photo Courtesy Seattle Athletics
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