ADA – After 12 seasons as East Central University women’s head soccer coach, Heather Beam has decided to step down immediately to focus on family life.

            “It’s going to be hard to leave. I’ve been here and working toward something for so long now,” said Beam. “I think its time for the program and my children. My son, Garrett, is going into junior high football and I look forward to being more involved there.”

            Beam has led the ECU soccer program since its second year of existence in 1997 and twice guided the Lady Tigers to the postseason, including a runner-up finish in the 2000 Lone Star Conference Tournament and a berth in the 2004 LSC Tourney.

            “I love East Central. There have been a lot of people who have made a huge impact on my life here, including Dr. (Tim) Green (former athletic director), Dr. (Susan) Payne (former cross country coach and senior women’s athletic administrator) and Jeff Williams (current chairman of ECU’s kinesiology department),” Beam said. “The hardest thing will not being as close to the girls and see them mature over the years.”

            Beam’s soccer teams have been ranked regionally over the years and numerous ECU players have achieved all-conference and all-academic awards.

            Her 2004, ’05, ’06 and ’07 teams garnered coveted academic awards from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America with a combined grade-point average of 3.0 or better. Also, her 2005 and 2006 teams were recognized with a Silver Award for Team Ethics from the NSCAA.

            “I don’t know if we’ve ever been below a 3.0 GPA (as a team) in the 13 years of the program,” said Beam. “It’s been a matter of the girls working hard and managing being a fulltime athlete and fulltime student. We tried to help them balance those things and tried to instill in them the importance of getting their education.”

            Beam, who posted a combined record of 63-110-17, also serves as an instructor in the kinesiology department and has been senior women’s administrator the past two years.

            In nine of the 12 seasons that Beam served as head coach, her brother Riley Bailey served as an assistant.

            “I’ve really enjoyed working with my brother for so many years and I wouldn’t have been able to do these things without the support of my husband Kevin and my parents (Bill and Debra Bailey),” Beam said.

            “I would like to thank coach Beam for her years of service to the soccer program and the university,” said ECU Director of Athletics Brian DeAngelis. “Her time and effort are to be commended and is very much appreciated. A search for a new women’s soccer coach will begin immediately.”