Wheaton, Ill. – Wheaton College head women's basketball coach Beth Baker ('77) has announced her retirement as head coach, effective at the conclusion of the 2010-11 school year. Baker was named the head coach of the Wheaton women's basketball program in 1986 and has served 25 years as the head coach of her alma mater. In that time she compiled a record of 434-188, with a 70% winning percentage and a 248-100 (71%) record in CCIW play. She is Wheaton's all-time leader in victories as a basketball coach and is second all-time in CCIW women's basketball history with 248 career league wins.

Baker said of her time at Wheaton, “It has not been coaching basketball that has been the love of my life at Wheaton. It has been getting to be part of the student-athletes' lives that has been the joy of my career.” She added, “It has been awesome that God has been able to use me to help point students to a real relationship with Jesus Christ. Basketball has provided the context by which I have had an opportunity to have an impact on their lives.”

Under Baker's direction, Wheaton won six CCIW Women's Basketball Championships, the second most of any program in the conference. Her teams made the NCAA Division III Tournament seven times, including a “Sweet Sixteen” appearance in 2005-06.

Wheaton placed in the top four in all but two years of CCIW competition since 1986. During Baker's tenure, the program produced four All-Americans, four CCIW Players of the Year, and 65 All-Conference player selections.

Longtime Wheaton women's basketball assistant coach Kent Madsen noted of Coach Baker, “I feel blessed to have worked with Beth for more than 10 years. She has set a high bar for this program. Not only with tremendous success on the court, but also in her walk with Christ and the example that she has set for her players.” He concluded, “I appreciate the example that she has set and the numerous lives that she has impacted in pointing the players towards Christ.”

Wheaton Athletic Director Tony Ladd said of Baker, “Few have contributed more than Beth has to Wheaton College athletics. If you look at the success of her teams, those are phenomenal feats alone. However, one of her most important roles has been the ministry aspect to her coaching. Beth has not only been a mentor to All-Americans but to young women who just come into her office and seek her mentoring.” Ladd concluded, “Beth's success both in the performances of her teams on the court and her success as a mentor has laid a foundation for the future of the program. This program is in good shape and we would expect it to continue to develop.”

Ladd noted that a national search will begin immediately to replace Baker.