Following an influx of five new hirings at the start of the 2023-2024 school year, the Seattle Pacific University’s athletics department welcomed four new members to its coaching and athletic training staff from August to October 2024.
Athletic Trainer: Michaela Peterson
One of the first hires of the summer was Michaela Peterson, who joined the athletic trainer staff under Jason Durocher, SPU’s Director of Sports Medicine. Peterson graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and a minor in sports psychology, she received her master’s in athletic training at the University of Utah. In the second year of her master’s program, Peterson did her clinical trials at the University of Washington.
When searching for her first position as an athletic trainer, Peterson was specifically drawn to Seattle Pacific’s welcomeness and Christian background.
“I haven’t had the chance to work in a Christian environment. I went to PLU for my undergrad, [but] SPU has done a better job at incorporating those Christian values into their everyday engagements with each other,” Peterson said. “I was ideally looking for a Division II school, so it’s still a competitive environment but not as intense as being at UW was.”
Working primarily with basketball and track and field athletes, Peterson has enjoyed working with Durocher and assistant athletic trainer Shirley Chandler and becoming familiar with student athletes.
“Jason has been amazing as a mentor, and Shirley’s been great to have around and work with and learn with,” Peterson said. “Basketball and track are mostly what I’m doing, but we’re all kind of helping each other out since there are only three of us and 200 athletes.”
Assistant Basketball Coach: Ava Edmonds
The most recent addition is Ava Edmonds, the new lead assistant coach for women’s basketball. Edmonds is a 2024 graduate of Pacific Lutheran University, where she played three seasons with the women’s golf team and four with women’s basketball. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s in marketing analytics.
“I always knew that I wanted to work in athletics, whether it was on the business side of things or just directly involved with the sport,” Edmonds said. “I wanted to pursue something that I felt super passionate about, so work doesn’t even feel like work. It’s just something that I love to do.”
Edmonds was connected to SPU through her former golf coach, Tyler Copp, who currently serves as the inaugural head coach for the Seattle Pacific women’s golf program.
With Head Coach Karen Byers focusing on the offensive strategy for the women’s basketball team, Edmonds’ main responsibility as the lead assistant coach is taking charge of the team’s defensive training.
“Defense is underrated, especially the way our game is played now. Everything’s looked at from the offensive side, but defense is super important,” Edmonds said. “That’s where games are won and lost, and if we can have a strong defensive identity, then that’s going to separate us, especially in those close games down the stretch.”
Assistant Volleyball Coach: Emma Shaddix
Joining as the new assistant coach for women’s volleyball is another recent graduate and former student athlete, Emma Shaddix. Shaddix played volleyball for four years at Florida Southern College, where she received her bachelor’s in exercise science. With an extra year of eligibility, Shaddix then played for Colorado Mesa University while obtaining her master’s in business administration.
“I knew I wanted to go into coaching, and then I knew Jason through my old head coach at Colorado Mesa,” Shaddix said. “Being a new graduate, I relate to the [team] and what they’re going through really well. Being close in age, too, I truly know what they’re going through and how [to] help them [and] encourage them through the season.”
After playing for Colorado Mesa, Shaddix served as their graduate assistant coach during the spring off-season. Similar to Edmonds, Shaddix has been assigned to work with her team’s defense.
“I was a grad assistant at Colorado Mesa for the spring, [but] we’re not in season during that time. I learned a little bit about the office and coaching responsibilities,” Shaddix said.
Transitioning from player to coach, Shaddix recognizes she has room to grow and much to learn.
“A really good thing that I lean against is there’s no stupid question,” Shaddix said. “Learning as much as I can through every different way of coaching is really important, especially as this is my first year and so I have a lot more to improve on.”
Assistant Golf Coach: Annie Yang
The final addition is Annie Yang, the new assistant golf coach. Unlike the rest of the newcomers, Yang is a volunteer and graduated from Brigham Young University in 2018. Coach Copp reached out to Yang through the “spuwgolf” Instagram page and offered her an opportunity to volunteer with the team.
Yang has been a competitive golfer since the age of 12, competing in several junior and elite tournaments. She attended BYU on a full-ride scholarship to play Division I golf and afterward qualified for the Professional Golfers’ Association’s Tour Qualifying Tournament, earning a membership on the China LPGA tour.
“I bring a lot of experiences and knowledge in terms of swing or on-course strategy, and if there are any questions, [the team] can come to me and I’m happy to answer them,” Yang said. “I have enjoyed getting to know the team. Coach Copp did a great job recruiting them. They have so much potential and are strong golfers that can be top of the GNAC conference.”
Yang’s job as a youth coach for First Tee of Greater Seattle, an international youth development organization, prevents her from joining the staff full-time. Yang attends team practices once per week and some of the team’s tournaments.
