After spending 38 seasons coaching on the hardwood, Western State Colorado University Women’s Basketball Head Coach Van Girard announced his retirement, effective immediately.
Girard spent the past four seasons as Western’s head coach after spending 24 seasons at the helm of the Cal State Dominguez Hills women’s basketball program.
The winningest women’s basketball coach in the history of Cal State Dominguez Hills, Girard put his trademark stamp of hard-nosed pressure defense to go along with an up-tempo style of play on the Carson campus.
Girard took over the reins at Cal State Dominguez Hills in 1988. He turned the Toros into one of the top NCAA Division II programs on the West Coast. He led CSUDH to three total CCAA titles including a 2009 title, three runner-up finishes (including the 2004-05 campaign) and five 3rd-place finishes in one of the strongest conferences in the country.
He also guided the Toros to the CCAA Tournament 10 times while earning five NCAA West Region playoff berths, including the 2008-09 season in which the Toros lost a 66-65 heartbreaking buzzer-beater to perennial power UC San Diego.
Girard’s record speaks for itself. He is atop CSUDH’s all-time coaching record list, compiling a 302-350 mark en route to being named the CCAA Coach of the Year five times, including a stretch of three-consecutive years (1994-96). On March 3, 2007, Girard achieved his milestone 250th win in an 83-56 victory over Cal State Monterey Bay.
Girard liked to play a very up-tempo style of basketball while incorporating his trademark man-to-man pressure defense. The opposition knows to expect a swarming high-pressure defense and a creative offense when they face Girard’s squad. Known as a teacher of fundamentals, Girard has coached one All-American, seven All-West Region players, three CCAA Conference MVPs and 42 all-conference players.
Prior to Cal State Dominguez Hills, Girard served as Assistant Athletics Director at Lynwood High School and the girl’s varsity basketball coach for ten years. During that span, he compiled an incredible 230-48 career record for an amazing winning percentage of .827. In creating a dynasty at Lynwood, Girard led his team to 10-straight playoff berths, seven-consecutive San Gabriel Valley Conference championships, two CIF championship appearances and two Southern Regional State playoff championships, with 1986 culminating in a CIF title.
During his tenure at Lynwood High School, he twice was honored as the Los Angeles Times “4A Coach of the Year.” Even more impressive, Girard was honored as the California and CIF “Coach of the Year” in 1986. Fifteen players under his tutelage earned NCAA Division I or Division II athletic scholarships at the collegiate level.
In a March 5, 2004 ceremony held at the Pyramid on the campus of Cal State Long Beach, Girard forever was immortalized for his achievements at the prep level. Along with Southern California coaching notables Ron Palmer (LB Poly), Gary Prestesator (San Dimas HS) and Cliff Warren (El Segundo, Rolling Hills, Redondo and Peninsula High Schools), the CSULB alumnus was inducted into the Southern California Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association (SCIBCA) Hall of Fame for the legacy he left at Lynwood.
While at CSUDH, Girard worked closely with the local Boys & Girls clubs providing free coaching and team clinics. He also worked closely with the City of Carson Parks and Recreation Department, as well as the local Carson-Gardena YMCA in providing more opportunities for girls’ basketball.
Girard is a 1977 graduate of Long Beach State, earning his bachelor’s degree in History.
A national search for Girard’s replacement will begin immediately.
Photo Courtesy Western State Colorado Athletics
Tagged with: DII NCAA RMAC
