CASEY KUSHIYAMA
Head Coach
Puget Sound Director of Athletics Amy Hackett announced Casey Kushiyama as the Loggers' new head women's basketball coach. Kushiyama becomes just the fourth Puget Sound women's basketball coach in the past 30 years.
"We are so very pleased to have Casey joining the Logger community," said Hackett. "Our national search produced some strong candidates, but Casey continued to pull ahead with his connection to regionally and nationally successful programs, his ability to recruit outstanding student-athletes, and his appreciation and understanding of the mission of a selective liberal arts college and NCAA Division III, made him our undeniable top choice."
Kushiyama spent the past five seasons as the top assistant at Whitman College, where he helped lead the Blues to the three NCAA National Tournament appearances (9-3 overall in NCAA tournament games). Whitman's postseason runs include an NCAA Elite-8 showing in 2016-17, and a national runner-up season in 2013-14. The Blues were 62-18 in NWC action during his time at Whitman.
"I'm very excited to work with this young Logger team that is already established as a national power, and I'm looking forward to taking the program to new heights," said Kushiyama. "I am grateful to Amy Hackett and the Puget Sound administration for giving me this opportunity. I appreciate all of the coaches I've worked with in the Northwest Conference who have helped prepare me for this moment."
Kushiyama's NWC roots run deep, and his experience developing and coaching with national caliber programs extends beyond Whitman. Kushiyama was a member of the George Fox women's basketball staff when the Bruins reached the national title game during the 2011-12 season. Kushiyama was a basketball student-athlete at Linfield College of the NWC and also served as an assistant coach for his alma mater's men's basketball team for three years, serving as the Wildcat's Head Junior Varsity Coach. He joined the Whitworth men's coaching staff for the 2008-09 season, when the Pirates were NWC Tournament Champions and reached a No. 7 national ranking.
Kushiyama was called to return to his alma mater to serve as the Interim Head Coach for the Wildcats' women's basketball team for the 2009-10 season, doubling the program's win total from the previous season.
Kushiyama inherits a talented Logger team that captured the 2016-17 Northwest Conference title with a perfect 16-0 record and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament.
Kushiyama earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Educations from Linfield, and he received a Master's in Teaching – Secondary Education (Health) from Grand Canyon University.
JOLEEN LAMAY
Assistant Coach
Joleen LaMay is entering her 22nd season with the Loggers. LaMay joined the Logger coaching staff after a successful five-year stint at Sumner High School as the Head Girl's Basketball Coach. She joined the coaching ranks at her Alma Mater, Sumner High School, in 1994. She quickly became one of the top young coaches in the area. In her second season, she was named the South Puget Sound League Coach of the Year for the 1995-96 season. She also led her team to the West Central District Playoffs in 1996-97. Coach LaMay is in her 24th year of teaching as a Physical Education Teacher at Sumner High School.
LaMay is a local product, playing at Sumner High School, Walla Walla Community College and Lewis-Clark State College. LaMay was a Kodak All-American and first-team NWAACC performer in 1988-89 while attending Walla Walla CC. LaMay was an outstanding player at LCSC from 1989-91, helping her team to the Regional playoffs each year. LaMay earned her BS from Lewis-Clark State in 1992 and her Masters of Education degree in 1999. In 2014, she also earned her National Board Certification (NBCT) in secondary Physical Education.
Lamay's primary responsibilities include post play, scouting, and on-court teaching.
ELIZABETH PREWITT
Assistant Coach
Elizabeth Prewitt is entering her 3rd season on staff with the Loggers.
Graduating from University of Puget Sound in 2019, there aren't many Loggers who have accomplished more during their careers than Prewitt. She was a member of the 2016-'17 Northwest Conference Championship team that finished the season 26-3. She finished her career with over 1,000 points, earning All-Conference recognition three times and All-West Region during her Senior Year.
Prewitt graduated with a degree in Exercise Science and earned All-Academic honors. She was Puget Sound's SAAC President for 2 years, organizing many community service projects throughout the year.
Coach Prewitt's primary responsibilities include player development, opponent scouting reports, and recruiting.
