Judy Spoelstra

Because of former coach Judy Spoelstra, Montana State University’s women’s basketball program has a legacy of success. Spoelstra compiled an overall record of 98-68 (at the time, the winningest coach in MSU history), leading the Bobcats to four conference tournament berths and the 1993 conference title. As long as women’s basketball is played at MSU, Bobcat fans will always cherish the glorious moment in 1993. In front of frenzied crowds in Worthington Arena, MSU beat Montana twice in eight days to win the Big Sky for the first time and advance to the NCAA tournament. The 1993 league championship gave MSU its first NCAA tournament appearance, and Spoelstra was also named the Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year. In addition, Cass Bauer, successfully coached by Spoelstra, remains the most successful former Big Sky player in American professional women’s basketball, and her legacy, though, are her accomplishments in the Blue and Gold. Following the 1994-95 seasons, Spoelstra returned to her alma mater and coached at Oregon State for the next 10 years. She finished her collegiate basketball coaching career at the University of Washington. Spoelstra currently teaches and coaches at La Jolla Country Day School.

As a head coach at Montana State, Judy Spoelstra compiled an overall record of 98-68 (at the time the winningest coach in MSU history), leading the Bobcats to four conference tournament berths and the 1993 conference title.