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Sept. 11, 2012

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Former Western Washington University women's basketball standout Stacey (Miller) Turrell is returning to the Viking program as an interim assistant coach.

Turrell will serve as the top assistant for seven months, beginning in September, while Jenn Childress takes a sabbatical for health reasons.

"Stacey understands our program and is going to bring a lot of energy and new ideas," said WWU head coach Carmen Dolfo. "I'm so happy she has decided to come back to our staff."

The 32-year-old Turrell was a graduate assistant coach at WWU during the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons while completing a master's degree in education. The Vikings reached the NCAA Division II West Regional semifinals both years, posting a 27-2 record, going undefeated in winning the Great Northwest Athletic Conference title and winning a school record 21 straight games in 2005-06.

Following that, Turrell assisted three years at Sehome High School, the Mariners going to the state tournament during the 2006-07 campaign.

"She is an incredibly hard worker with a lot of energy, Dolfo said of Turrell. "I have always enjoyed working with her both as a player and graduate assistant. She has stayed connected to our program since she left so the transition will be very smooth."

Turrell, who earned a degree in elementary education at WWU in 2003, finished her three-year career with 980 points and 458 rebounds. She set a school career record for three-point accuracy of 44.3 percent (155-of-350) and her 155 threes tied the WWU standard.

Turrell was a first-team Women's Basketball Coaches Association and second-team Daktronics West Region all-star as a senior in 2002-03. The team's co-captain, she also was a unanimous first-team Great Northwest Athletic Conference all-star.

The Vikings' leading scorer with a 15.0 average per game, Turrell finished second nationally and led the league in three-point shooting at 47.5 percent (56-of-118). She also averaged 5.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists.

Turrell also attended Washington State University, being a member of the Cougar volleyball team for two years.

A graduate, Miller starred in basketball and volleyball for the Mariners.

Childress, 42, has coached the last six years at WWU, the Vikings making five post-season appearances in five of those seasons. She also assisted four years at Cal State San Bernardino, being the top aide for two seasons.

Prior to that, Childress taught physical education and health for seven years at Meridian High School. She coached basketball there for six years, the Trojans making three straight state appearances, winning the district title and reaching the championship game of Class 2A state tournament in 2000.

STACEY (MILLER) TURRELL, Interim Assistant Coach

In first year as interim assistant coach ... Taking over for Jenn Childress, who is taking a seven-month sabbatical for health reasons ... Graduate assistant at WWU during 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons while completing master's degree in education ... Assistant coach next three years at Bellingham's Sehome High School, helping Mariners to state tournament appearance in 2006-07 ... Started and lettered three seasons for Vikings from 2000-03 ... Team co-captain as senior in 2002-03 ... Finished WWU career with 980 points, 458 rebounds, 180 assists, 102 steals and 40 blocked shots ... Set then school career record, hitting 44.3 percent (155-350) from three-point range, and her 155 three-point makes tied existing school career mark ... First-team Women's Basketball Coaches Association and second-team Daktronics West Region all-star ... Unanimous first-team Great Northwest Athletic Conference all-star selection ... Finished second nationally and led league in three-point shooting at 47.5 percent (56-118), averaging team-best 15.0 points ... Set school record by making all six three-point attempts vs. Westmont CA ... Runner-up in balloting for Pacific West Conference Newcomer of the Year as sophomore in 2000-01 ... Also attended and competed at Washington State University ... Member of Cougar volleyball team for two seasons, seeing action in three matches in 1999 as setter ... Earned WSU All-Academic Athletic team honors both years ... Standout basketball and volleyball player at Sehome High ... Ranked third among career scoring leaders in basketball, finishing with 1,313 points ... As senior, named second-team Class 4-A all-state, MVP of Western Conference and Bellingham Herald all-Whatcom County MVP ... Helped Mariners to 25-4 record, league title and fifth-place at state tournament ... Received Cliff Gilles Award for outstanding sportsmanship, leadership and academics ... As setter in volleyball, finished career with 2,137 assists and 548 kills ... All-state tournament pick and first-team all-league choice as senior on team that finished 30-8 and placed third at state ... Received sportsmanship medal at state tournament ... First-team all-league choice as junior on squad that finished 31-6, won league and district titles, and placed fifth at state ... Also lettered in softball, earning all-league honors as junior ... She and husband Josh have two boys, Cole 4 and Taylor 2 ... 32 years old.