Pierce selects Mendelson as new men's basketball coach
May 13, 2003 @ 1:46 pm
Bill Mendelson is the new head coach for the Pierce College Raider men's basketball team. He comes to Pierce after eight successful years at South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia.
"Bill has a proven track record of success as a coach in our conference, and we are very excited to have an individual of his caliber and experience leading the program into the 2003-04 season," said Pierce College Athletic Director Duncan Stevenson.
While at South Puget Sound, Mendelson coached the women's team for six seasons (1995-2001), compiling a record of 94-80. His teams appeared in the playoffs five times, placing fifth at the NWAACC Championship tournament in 2001. Most recently he led the men's program for two seasons (2001-03), with a combined record of 38-23 and two playoff appearances, placing eighth at the 2002 tournament.
Mendelson takes over a Raider program that has not qualified for post-season play since 1996.
Mendelson, a resident of Olympia, is in his twenty-sixth year at North Thurston High School, where he teaches physical education and driver's training. During his time at North Thurston, he has served on the coaching staffs for football, boys and girls basketball, track and golf.
Mendelson earned a bachelor's degree from Western Washington University, and a master's of education degree from City University. While at Western, he played quarterback for the Vikings, leading the former Evergreen Conference in passing ('74) and total offense ('75), and was selected team MVP, first-team all-conference, first-team all-district, and second-team all-northwest in his senior year.
"Pierce has always been very competitive in men's basketball. We hope we can take that competitiveness and push it to a consistent playoff level. With such a tough conference we are looking forward to the challenge," Mendelson said.
He takes over for Jason Scales who served as interim head coach for the 2002-03 season and led the Raiders to an 11-13 record.
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