The Columbia Bible College Bearcats women’s basketball team has a new bench boss, and it’s a familiar face to followers of the program.
Jessica Funk, who played on the team from 2013 to 2018, was announced as the new head coach of the team on March 6.
She takes over from Angela Booy, who departed the school earlier this year after the women’s team was forced to end the Pacwest season early due to a lack of available players.
The team lost all six games it participated in this season.
Funk earned the Bearcat Athletics President’s Award in her final season in 2017-18, and helped lead CBC to its first-ever playoff appearance. She also earned a Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association national scholar award in 2017-18.
The Calgary native coached for several years in the Alberta city, and also in both Europe and Uganda - during an intercultural studies internship in the African country.
Mike Teeter, the director of athletics and recreation at CBC, said he’s pleased to see Funk to come aboard.
“We are excited to welcome Jessica on in this new capacity,” he said. “She has been a valuable member of our athletics staff here over the past year. I know Jessica will do a terrific job with the young women that become a part of our women’s basketball program. She has a deep care for people, a great grasp of the game and a passion to grow and excel at whatever she does.”
In other Bearcats women’s basketball news, Robert Bateman Secondary School Grade 12 student Karsen Lazeo signed on the dotted line to join the team for the 2019-20 season.
Congrats to SG Karsen Lazeo for signing on with @cbcBearcats today.
— Bateman Girls Basketball (@BatemanBball) March 8, 2019
She is our 4th senior to sign on with a post secondary institution for basketball.
Congrats Laz, we can’t wait to watch you!@AbbyNews @htsumura @theBCSportsHub @BCHoopGirls @RobertBatemanSS pic.twitter.com/cWSYUsAQ84
Lazeo was a key part of the Timberwolves girls basketball team during her time at the Abbotsford school, and helped lead Bateman to a seventh place showing at the recent 3A senior girls basketball provincial championships. She recorded an impressive 11 points during the Wolves opening game 87-48 win over Argyle at that event.
The Bearcats tip off for the 2019-20 season in the fall. For more on the team, visit columbiabc.edu/athletics.