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Over the last 25
years, Karen Welliver has established
herself as one of the preeminent California
Community College women’s basketball coaches
in the history of the sport. During her
tenure, she has guided her teams to eight
South Coast Conference championships and
have reached the state tournament in six
seasons. But back on December 27, 2005,
Welliver found herself in an elite group, as
she won her 500th career game
after defeated San Mateo College, 75-51 at
the Fullerton Tournament. She is one of only
five coaches to ever eclipse the 500-win
barrier and has compiled a record of 525-265
(.665) during her time with the Falcons.
Last season, the team went 18-15 on the
season and came in second place in the
conference. This year’s team has six
returning players (including Maltresa Neely,
who missed last season due to an injury),
including four of those who were starters,
along with a sophomore transfer, this year’s
team will have a great deal of experience.
Welliver and third-year assistant coach
Steve Johnson will be looking to get the
program back to the top and take a shot at
the school’s first state championship. In
addition to winning eight conference title
and six appearances in the state tournament,
Welliver has led her teams to 17 20-win
seasons, including a stretch where they won
20 games in 17 of 19 seasons. Although they
had a tough time last year, the Falcons did
advance to the Southern California Regional
Playoffs for the 15th year in a
row and 21st time in the past 22
seasons. Throughout her career, Welliver has
done a remarkable job of maintaining a level
of success at the Norwalk campus and her
teams have earned a great deal off respect
with their hard work and dedication.
Whether it be a
predominantly freshmen laden team, or an
experienced one, Welliver has guided the
Falcons to either a South Coast Conference
championship or a second place finish in 16
of the past 18 seasons. Over one six-year
period, the Falcons completed each season
with less than 10 losses, while Welliver has
been honored by being named the SCC Coach of
the Year on four occasions.
After serving as
Jeanine Prindle's assistant coach for three
seasons, Welliver took over the helm and has
instilled a winning tradition that residents
in the community had never experienced
before from the women's program. Excellent
recruiting combined with the teaching
knowledge of Welliver, make the Falcons very
competitive in their quest to return to the
State Championships.
Welliver began
her coaching career at Magnolia High School
in Anaheim, where she coached the girl's
basketball team for three years and the
volleyball team for six years. Her
volleyball team captured one league
championship.
Known for her
athletic ability, Welliver played two years
of basketball at Cal State Long Beach, where
she squared off against three future Hall of
Fame selections. She also lettered in
basketball for three years in high school,
and also played volleyball for two seasons
and track for three years. She was honored
as her high school team’s team's Most
Valuable Player in both basketball and
volleyball.
Karen is married to Bill
Welliver, the brother of former Cerritos
College volleyball coach Nancy Welliver and
they reside in Anaheim. Welliver earned her
Bachelor's and Master's Degree at Cal State
Long Beach. |
