Sports

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   ADDITIONAL ITEMS • University of Washington athletics (External Link)   CONTACT THE HERALD Report scores and results to 425-339-3470 or 1-866-6-SCORES (Call after 4:30 p.m.) E-mail information including items for Tuesday's Communities Sports Roundup and Thursday's Outdoor Calendar, to sports@heraldnet.com Kevin Brown, Sports Editor kbrown@heraldnet.com   Published: Friday, May 23, 2008 HUSKIES: UW adds Spoelstra to women's basketball coaching staff Associated Press SEATTLE -- Judy Spoelstra, a former head coach at Oregon State and Montana State, is a new assistant coach at Washington. Huskies coach Tia Jackson announced the addition of Spoelstra on Thursday, effective June 1. Spoelstra, the 2000 Pac-10 coach of the year, grew up in Everett and played at Washington State and Oregon State, then coached the Beavers to a record of 133-158 and one NCAA tournament appearance from 1995-2005. That was after she went 98-68 in six years at Montana State, where she was the Big Sky Conference coach of the year in 1993. She also spent four years in a Japanese professional league as a player-coach. "With the addition of coach Spoelstra to our existing coaching staff of Fred Applin and Loree Payne, there is absolutely no doubt that we have one of the most experienced and accomplished coaching staffs in the nation," Jackson said of a UW team that finished a disappointing 13-18 in Jackson's first season after replacing June Daugherty. Washington has also lost four of its six freshmen off last year's team. "Judy Spoelstra is a tremendous hire for us," Jackson said in a statement released by the school. "We have nothing but the deepest respect for her ability as a coach. She is a trusted and loyal colleague who brings many years of experience. Her willingness to work hard, with the intent of helping us reach the next level, is special to this program." Since leaving Oregon State, Spoelstra, 48, has been coaching youth basketball and working in private business in San Diego. She has also been a scout for the New York Liberty. She grew up in Everett, then graduated from Eastmont High School in East Wenatchee in 1978. "It is an honor and a tremendous opportunity to work for a university that I have held in high regard since growing up in Everett," Spoelstra said. "I have known Tia for many years and have admired her work ethic as a recruiter. When I sat down and listened to her vision for UW, I was impressed with how clear her ideals were, her systematic approach to building a program and her positive demeanor. "I am thrilled to be working with her and assisting her in realizing the full potential of this program."

1. Lawsuit blames county and weed inspector in man’s death 2. Cost of dispute falls on Monroe 3. Salish Sea: Huge body of water now has common name 4. Mind if I smoke? 5. Boeing says 787 fixes are done 6. Worker dies after falling 4 stories from Lynnwood building 7. FOOTBALL FORECAST: Battle of unbeatens highlights first week of state-playoff action 8. Granite Falls-area fire chief placed on paid leave 9. Everett dentist travels world to help 10. Benefit to help injured soldier, his family 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Memorial for Peggy Pritchard Olson set • Bazaar Fever • Hawks proud of historic season • Olson always put Edmonds first • Honoring student veterans • ‘Wheedle' author comes to Lynnwood bookshop • Mavs build early lead en route to easy win • Prep football games of the week (state playoffs) • Tears of laughter, tears of grief • Boeing will build, flight test and deliver 787s in South Carolina to spe ... • Snohomish County EDC promoting job growth in key industry clusters • $4 million grant to advance brain tumor research has Everett links • Providence medical center construction tops off its 12-story steel frame ... • Tulalip affordable housing project to be financed by KeyBank, Raymond Ja ... • Arlington's Lak of Ink has a growing following for Luke Kooyman's creati ... • Bank of the Northwest formed • Cascade Bank earns $1.6 million