Finlandia University names Jason Keefer Head Women\’s Basketball Coach.
Hancock, MI. (April 15, 2011) – Jason Keefer, who, as an assistant women\’s basketball coach at Northwood University helped guide the Timberwolves to the 2008 NCAA Division II national tournament for the first time in school history and a GLIAC North division co-championship, has accepted an offer to become the next head women\’s basketball coach at Finlandia University.
\”We\’re extremely excited and fortunate that coach Keefer has accepted the opportunity to take over our women\’s basketball program here at Finlandia,\” said Director of Athletics Chris Salani. \”His coaching strengths and experiences developed from being a member of two winning GLIAC programs, and in helping turn the Northwood women\’s program around to perennial GLIAC and NCAA contenders is exactly what our women\’s program is in need of. I\’m looking to Coach Keefer to rely on his demonstrated talents as a recruiter and coach in helping bring exceptional student-athletes to Finlandia, and to his coaching prowess both as a Division II assistant and former head high school coach to build and transform our women\’s program to regional Division III competitiveness.\”
In his seven years as an assistant coach at Northwood, Keefer was involved in all aspects of the basketball program. He assisted current head coach Jeff Curtis with recruiting, on floor coaching, practice planning, and game planning during his tenure with the Timberwolves.
In addition to coaching the women\’s team at Northwood, Keefer was also an assistant men\’s basketball coach at Northwood University from 1997-2001. The men\’s basketball team won two GLIAC North division conference titles and made the school\’s first ever appearance in the NCAA Division II tournament.
In between his two coaching stints at Northwood, Keefer was the varsity
women\’s basketball coach at Beaverton High School for three seasons from 2002-2004. Beaverton compiled an overall record of 43-24 under his guidance and he was named the Midland Daily News – Coach of the Year in 2002.
Keefer began his coaching career as a student assistant coach for the
women\’s basketball team at Northern Michigan University from 1994-1996.
During his time with the Wildcats, they won two conference tournament
championships, a regional tournament championship, and made it to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight.
Keefer, an Upper Peninsula native from Gwinn, Michigan received his Master\’s degree in Athletic Administration from Central Michigan in 2004 and a Bachelor\’s degree in Physical Education from Northern Michigan University in 1996.