Southwestern hires new women’s basketball coach

Southwestern Oregon Community College announced the hiring of new women’s basketball coach and PE/health instructor Stacia Rustad.

Rustad brings impressive athletic and academic credentials to Southwestern. She received a full-ride athletic scholarship to the University of Maine from 1992 to 1996, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in health, physical education and recreation. During her time at Maine, her team won three consecutive conference championships and advanced to the NCAA Tournament twice. In high school, she was named first team All-state in Alaska two consecutive years and was named state Player of the Year in 1991. Rustad was also named national Gatorade player of the year for the state of Alaska in 1992.

She went on to serve as assistant women’s basketball coach at West Virginia Wesleyan College and St. Bonaventure University and spent two years as head coach of Victor Valley Community College. Rustad spent eight years teaching and coaching at the high-school level in California before accepting the Lakers’ head coaching job. During that time, she was named Outstanding Student Teacher of the Year as well as Delta Kappa Gamma Society High Desert Athletic League Coach of the year in 2004.

Rustad completed her California teaching credential in 2003 and her masters in teaching in 2007, both from Chapman University.

“She’s a really high energy person and I’m really excited about getting her here,” Southwestern athletic director John Speasl said. “She’s going to be a great role model for our players and somebody who will really be great for our program.”

Coach Rustad is married to John Marquez, who is a high school PE/Health teacher and football coach at Myrtle Point High School. Coach Rustad and John are the proud parents of two dogs, Bale’ and Harley. They reside in North Bend.

Press Release Date: May 22, 2007