Why do Cal Lutheran grads make such good coaches?

When it comes to producing great coaches through the years, you can truly be proud of your university!  Two recent selections by the Los Angeles Times asCoaches of the Year, Kelli (McCaskill ’96) DiMuro and Russell White ’94 (TC ’98, ’01) are good examples. Kelli, an English teacher and girls’ varsity basketball coach at West Hills Chaminade, worked hard to keep her seasoned team challenged in practices. Her approach paid off when the team won the Southern Section Open Division championship. Russell, a former Cal Lutheran Alumni Board member, faced an Encino Crespi team of mostly underclassmen, so he focused them on improving, not necessarily on winning.   

Even so, they won the state Division IV championship and took the Southern Section Division 4AA title, ending the season on a 10-game winning streak. Russell said, “Great professors and coaches at CLU are the biggest reason I am who I am today. Mike Dunlap, Steve Spencer, Jeff Lindgren, Paul Hanson, Jonathan Boe and Michaela Reeves were instrumental in my development.” Since he lives close to campus, Russell brings his sons to athletic events whenever he can.

Although she does not get back to campus often, Kelli still maintains close friendships from her Cal Lutheran days, especially with women who played varsity basketball with her. She has sent many of her Chaminade students to Cal Lutheran, since “It’s the best place ever….It was a family to me. I went through the English department, and people cared about me. I loved my professors and coaches. The experiences made me who I am today.” So Kelli recommends Cal Lutheran to any student who asks. “It’s a great place to go.”

After receiving the LA Times Coach of the Year honors, Kelli recently learned that she has been selected as State Coach of the Year by CAL-HI, an organization of coaches and people who know girls’ and boys’ basketball. The award is for the coach who does the most exemplary job of coaching.

Congratulations to Kelli and Russell! Cal Lutheran is very proud of these two alumni!