Corban's Bale Named Salem-Area College Coach of the Year

In five seasons at the helm, Bale guided Corban to an overall record of 107-53.

Salem-News.com SPORTS

SALEM, Ore. - The old saying goes, "Once is nice, twice is better."

Former women's basketball coach Dave Bale was named Salem-area Small College Coach of the Year for the second year in a row after guiding the Warriors to a school-record 27 wins, its first-ever regular season conference crown, and its third national tournament appearance in the past five seasons.

Bale, who has stepped down from his position as head coach following the 2006-07 season to focus on his teaching duties at the college, became only the third coach in the 34-year history to receive the Chuck Bowles Coach of the Year award in back-to-back years when he accepted the honor at the Salem Sports & Breakfast Club during its annual awards breakfast at Goudy Commons on the campus of Willamette University.

This is the third time in school history that a Corban coach has received this honor, as former men’s basketball coach Tim Hills was the first recipient in 1977 -- the third year that the award was handed out.

In the history of the award only three people have ever received the honor more than once -- the award's name-sake and former Willamette track & field coach Charles Bowles (1978 and 1982) and current Willamette women's soccer coach Jim Tursi (1999 and 2002).

Coaches to win the award in back-to-back years were former Willamette and current University of Colorado football coach Dan Hawkins (1997 and 1998) and current Willamette cross country and track & field coach Matt McGuirk (2004 and 2005).

Bale guided the women’s basketball program to a school-record 27-7 overall win-loss record and another school-record with 15 wins in Cascade Collegiate Conference play.

The team’s overall record breaks the mark for winning percentage in a single season, which was set following the 2005-06 season, thanks to a final tally of .794.

The fifth-year head coach also guided the Warriors to their first-ever Cascade Collegiate Conference regular season title, while winning his second conference post-season tournament crown.

For the third season, Bale lead Corban to the NAIA Division II national tournament thanks to a school-record tying 11 straight victories heading to Sioux City, Iowa.

In five seasons at the helm, Bale guided Corban to an overall record of 107-53 (62-28 in conference play), including three straight 20-win seasons, one conference regular season crown, two conference tournament titles, and three national tournament appearances.

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