She’s not one to talk about her own accomplishments. But that’s OK. Julie Heisey's accomplishments wherever she has been -- including Seattle Pacific -- speak loud and clear for themselves.
While on the Falcons’ bench, Heisey has built a 195-64 record in nine years. Her overall mark, which includes nine years at Trevecca Nazarene in Nashville prior to arriving at SPU, is 357-183. She earned the 300th vicotry of her coaching career on Feb. 12, 2011, when the Falcons downed Central Washington in Brougham Pavilion, 64-43.
In the first six of her nine years at Seattle Pacific, the Falcons advanced to the NCAA West Regional tournament, and the 2009-10 squad went all the way to the Elite Eight in St. Joseph, Mo.
Heisey guided her last six teams at Trevecca Nazarene to an average of 21 wins a year, reaching NAIA Division I postseason play in each of those years. That included a spot in the tournament quarterfinals in 2005.
In November 2014, Heisey will be inducted into the Trevecca Hall of Fame.
She is no stranger to the Pacific Northwest or to many of the GNAC schools. A native of Nampa, Idaho, she starred at Northwest Nazarene from 1986-89, was the team’s leading rebounder three times and remains among that program’s top all-time scorers, rebounders and shot blockers. That helped her earn a spot in the Cascade Collegiate Conference Hall of Fame. (NNU was a member of that conference at that time.)
Heisey was an assistant for Oklahoma's Southern Nazarene from 1992-96 when that program won three NAIA titles. After graduating from Nampa Christian High School in Idaho, she earned her B.A. in education from Northwest Nazarene in 1989, and her master's in education from Southern Nazarene in 1994.
At Seattle Pacific, Heisey took charge of a team that already had become NCAA Division II power under the guidance of Gordy Presnell for 18 seasons before he left to accept the head coaching job at Boise State. During Heisey's seven-year tenure, the Falcons have won or shared the Great Northwest Athletic Conference title in 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. The Falcons have played in three West Regional title games under her guidance.
Heisey was honored by Northwest Nazarene as the 2004 winner of the school's Leon Doane Young Alumnus Award, which recognizes Christian character, demonstrated leadership, professional endeavors and support of their alma mater.
She is a member of the USA Basketball Selection Committee, and has served as the NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches Association president.
Heisey and her husband, Randy, live in Seattle.