Laura Beeman On Coaching Hawaiian Style

By: William Devereaux

Growing up in San Bernardino, California, Laura Beeman was never caught inside when the sun was up. Her tireless love for sports was matched only by her desire to compete with her older brother. Even today, Laura thinks about the one sport she was not allowed to play.  As she tells it, “I used to play baseball, softball, volleyball, and basketball. I really wanted to play football, but my parents wouldn’t let me!”

Now entering her third season as the Head Coach of the Rainbow Wahine Basketball team, Laura has the same energy and passion for sports she did as a kid and then some.

She has an extensive background in coaching basketball, holding positions at USC, the Los Angeles Sparks and at Mt. San Antonio College. While the Head Coach at UH, she has led the Rainbow Warriors to back-to-back appearances in the Woman’s National Invitational Tournament (WNIT).

Laura is one of a handful of coaches who have had the unique experience of coaching collegiate athletics on the mainland as well as in Hawaii. While some people may be under the impression that coaching is the same regardless of the location, Laura would disagree.

“The obvious difference, and the most important one, is the nature of Hawaii’s location,” Laura explained. “I think it is important for student-athletes to be involved with family as well as other groups of friends besides their teammates. The girls from the mainland don’t have the option to drive to their parent’s house after they move to Hawaii,” she said.

Laura went on to highlight other misconceptions about coaching at the collegiate level, and how it’s not always about technique and ball handling skills.

“Most people don’t realize is that the last thing I do is coach; that is, watch game film and work on the X’s and O’s. My primary concern is helping my athletes develop great relationships with each other,” she said.

Coach Beeman and the Rainbow Wahine basketball team have set an example of what it’s like to be a UH Athlete. Their success is a product of strong leadership and teamwork. When asked how she would describe her coaching style, Laura replied, “I’m passionate and realistic. I have such a passion for the way the game should be played, and I never ask too much of my team.”