Bemidji State University Director of Athletics Tracy Dill today announced that Chelsea DeVille has been named head coach of the Beaver women’s basketball program.
“We are thrilled to have Chelsea as the new women’s basketball coach at Bemidji State,” commented Dill. “The level of energy and enthusiasm she brings to the position is unmatched. In addition, she is outstanding recruiter and communicator. I really believe Chelsea and her staff will do a great job moving the women’s basketball team forward.”
“First, I would like to thank Tracy Dill and members of the search committee,” said DeVille. “I am beyond humbled and honored to be given an opportunity to lead the Bemidji State women’s basketball program and am eager to get to Bemidji and begin working with the staff and other members of the community.”
DeVille comes to Bemidji State after serving on the University of Sioux Falls women’s basketball coaching staff since 2009. Following a year as graduate assistant under head coach Travis Traphagen, she was promoted to assistant coach beginning with the 2010-11 season and served in that capacity until she was elevated to associate head coach following the 2013-14 campaign.
While at USF, DeVille helped the Cougars to an overall record of 111-64 during a transition from the NAIA to NCAA Division II and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. A NAIA powerhouse, USF posted a school-record 27 wins en route to a trip to the NAIA Elite Eight in 2010-11. Since making the transition to the NCAA, the Cougars have made two consecutive trips to the NSIC postseason tournament, which included a 17-10 mark in 2014-15. In addition to assisting in offensive game strategies and leading the Cougars’ defense and substitutions on game day, DeVille was the driving force behind USF’s recruiting efforts, she oversaw the team’s academic progress, was responsible for scouting the opposition, film breakdown, travel and the university’s youth basketball camps.
In addition to her work with the women’s basketball program, DeVille was active on the university’s NCAA compliance review committee, was a member of USF’s education department selection committee, served as an instructor and was a leader for the Cougar’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes huddle.
A 2009 graduate of Augustana College, DeVille was a four-year starter and letterwinner for the Vikings and earned North Central Conference Freshman of the Year laurels in 2006. DeVille earned a bachelor’s degree in special education from Augustana and a master’s degree in educational leadership from USF.
A native of Watertown, S.D., DeVille, was a Miss Basketball South Dakota finalist and two-time all-state selection as a prep.
DeVille will officially begin her new duties June 17 and will be formally introduced at a press conference June 22.
The Beaver Radio Network will air the press conference LIVE on June 22nd.