Hall of Fame
Coaching college basketball wasn’t at the top of Laura Beeman’s career choices when her Coyote career came to an end.
“I wish I had that much direction at that age,’’ said Beeman, who played two record-setting years at point guard for the Coyotes in 1989-91. “I had no idea what I wanted to do. To be honest, when I was in school it was about playing basketball.’’
A phone call from the University of Redlands offering a graduate assistant position with its women’s basketball program made all the difference in the world to the Highland native.
Beeman just completed her fifth season as head coach at the University of Hawaii and has enjoyed success at every stop in her coaching career that began in 1992. Her teams won four state titles at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut and she also coached the sport’s finest with the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks. Her Hawaii teams have played in four postseason tournaments, culminating with an NCAA tournament berth in 2016.
As a Coyote, she earned NCAA Division III honorable mention All-American honors for the 1989-90 season after helping the Coyotes reach the D3 tournament. She ranks second in career assists and second and third in season assists. She even found time to play softball in the spring of 1991.
Not bad for someone who admits she was more of a soccer player in her youth. In fact, she did not begin playing basketball until entering San Bernardino HS in the early 80s.
During her stint with the Coyotes, Laura was known for her philanthropic activities within the department and for the university. That commitment to helping others began by observing her parents (Jerry and Judy) at the family pharmacy in San Bernardino.
Her UH coaching staff and players are involved in multiple service opportunities such as free youth basketball clinics and helping at Waikiki Health’s Youth Outreach (YO!) program working with local at-risk and homeless youths.
“I am so fortunate to have a complete family that is committed to service,’’ she said. “I watched my parents help those who were in need on a daily basis. Our basketball program encompasses that involvement in various out-reach programs in Honolulu and the island of Oahu.’’
Playing basketball and attending college in her hometown remains among her top career achievements. Her daily work as a college head basketball coach very much involves using her CSUSB business degree.
“It was a thrill to have my family and support me while attending CSUSB,’’ she said. “There’s a sense of pride playing for a program that started as an independent Division III team to a quality Division II program today. CSUSB is a great academic institution. I use my business degree every day, whether it’s through fundraising, sales, recruiting.
“My attending CSUSB and playing basketball have opened opportunities in my life every single day.’’
