Former Warrior player and head coach Steve Masten returns for his second stint as head coach of Corban’s men’s basketball team, as announced Wednesday by the University’s administration.
"Corban Athletics couldn’t ask for a better gift from a Warrior alumnus than to have Steve Masten re-take the reins of our men’s basketball program," said Tim Seiber, Interim Director of Athletics. "He’s proven himself a successful coach and winner at both the high school and college levels.
"More importantly, Steve is a person of distinguished Christian character who combines exceptional basketball coaching aptitude with tremendous competitive drive. I anticipate that our program and our young men will thrive under Coach Masten’s leadership."
Masten, who played at Western Baptist from 1981-83 under Hall of Fame coach Tim Hills, returns for his second go-around at the helm of the Warriors after leading Western Baptist during the 1998-99 season. Masten and the Warriors finished seventh in the Cascade Collegiate Conference, while upsetting NAIA Division I’s No. 7-ranked Azusa Pacific, 81-76, at the annual Cougar Classic on the road in Southern California in preseason play.
“It is a great honor for me to return to the school where I played and coached,” said Masten. “Western Baptist/Corban has had such a profound impact on my life and the life of my family. I have always held the institution and people of Corban in such high regard.”
Prior to taking over as head coach of the Warriors, Masten spent two seasons as an assistant coach under Tim Collins from 1983-85 before coaching locally at the Cascade High School (1985-91) in Aumsville, as well as McKay High School (1991-95) and Sprague High School (1995-1998) in Salem.
After coaching just one season at Western Baptist, Masten returned to Sprague High School and coached the Olympians from 2002-05 leading Sprague to three appearances at the 6A state tournament.
Masten earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Education in 1983 from Western Baptist and has taught in the Salem-Keizer School District since graduating.
“I feel like I’m coming home and I couldn’t be more thrilled,” commented Masten. “I look forward to the challenge ahead as a new chapter of Corban’s basketball story is written.”
Along with his time as an athlete and coach at Western Baptist, Masten was also able to watch his youngest son, Kyle, compete for the Warriors from 2006-08.
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