She’s not one to talk about her own accomplishments. But that’s OK. Julie van Beek Heisey's accomplishments wherever she has been -- including Seattle Pacific -- speak loud and clear for themselves.
While on the Falcons’ bench, van Beek Heisey has built a 96-21 record -- a mere four wins away from 100 in just four years. Her overall mark, which includes nine years at Trevecca Nazarene in Nashville prior to arriving at SPU, is 258-140.
Van Beek 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.
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.
Van Beek 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, van Beek 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. Van Beek Heisey’s four teams here have gone 24-6, 20-9,29-1 and 23-5. Her Falcons have reached the NCAA West Regional tournament all four years, and the past two squads have gone all the way to the West Regional championship game.
Van Beek 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.