This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press Friday, November 21, 2008. By JASON GONZALEZ Valley Press Associate Sports Editor:

Peering through the glass window overlooking a small and empty gymnasium, West Coast Baptist College basketball coach Curt Beeson is reminded of how far he and his young program have come.

Not even a decade in existence, this small and "other focused" group has become one of the top programs in what many would consider the lowest level of collegiate basketball. It is a level made up of small private Christian colleges that put little focus on their athletic programs.

Whether that be the case or not, these sort of discrepancies are the last thing on Beeson's and his players' minds.

What fills the thoughts of the 18 men involved with this championship winning basketball team, is how they can get better.

At the helm of all this is the two-time PCAC (Pacific Christian Athletic Conference) Coach of the Year and the ACCA (Association of Christian College Athletics) National Coach of the Year, Beeson, driven off what he describes simply as an intense desire to win.

Although this desire might not stem from where it does for most coaches or players. It is something deeper that defines Beeson as a person, and is one of the many foundations to the mission of WCBC itself.

This drive Beeson refers to is Biblical. Determined that this is the only way of operating, Beeson regularly makes reference to the Book of I Corinthians when encouraging his players. In one verse, the apostle Paul compares life to running a race, stating only one gets the prize and all should run in such a way to obtain that prize. This is Beeson's motto, an example for all aspects of his life and specifically his coaching. Therefore, this is what WCBC requires of its students and what Beeson demands of his athletes.

"It is all about discipline," Beeson said. "I think there is such a thing as a will to win. If my players can really understand that I think that overall we can have a lot of success."

Growing up immersed in the world of basketball, but not blessed with all the tools, Beeson was well-versed in the extra initiative it required to make more from less. A varsity starter only his senior year at Palmdale High School, the then 6-foot, 160-pound Beeson loved the sport, but knew at that young age his future wouldn't involve playing the game.

Despite not having the size or skills, Beeson pushed himself once again. This push came as a freshman at Antelope Valley College among a talented field of athletes vying for one of the spots on the men's basketball team. Pushed around and battered, Beeson pulled through and claimed the 12th spot on the 12-man roster and spent most of the year watching from the sidelines.

Discouraged that he probably didn't deserve to be on the team, Beeson decided to step away from basketball. A year away from the game taught Beeson a lot about himself and he realized giving up what he loved most wasn't the best solution. Revamped and encouraged once more, he earned a spot on the team the following season and most importantly a starting job. Beeson averaged around 14 points per game that season and learned a valuable life lesson of making the most with what you've got.

This was as far as Beeson's basketball playing career would develop, but after a long break away from the sport he was reminded of his dream of one day coaching basketball and teaching.

It was 20 years later Beeson found himself on the cusp of something special. A member of the Lancaster Baptist Church and a successful insurance salesman, he had finally gotten back into coaching. Spending hours each day as the volunteer varsity coach for the Lancaster Baptist High School team for seven years, his dedication and obedient heart paid off.

With WCBC growing quickly, the administration were up for building to the college's name. What Beeson didn't know, though, was he was on the administration's radar. A phone call and one meeting later with WCBC executive vice president Dr. John Goetsch and Beeson was surprised with the offer of his life.

"We're going to start a men's basketball program and we'd like you be the coach," Goetsch said.

Contemplating what he was to do with his life, Beeson had been given his answer.

"That helped me make a decision about my future," Beeson said. "I never thought we'd start a program at the Bible college."

Without hesitation Beeson sold his insurance book, enrolled in classes at WCBC to finish up his baccalaureate, and took over full time as the men's basketball coach and the school's athletic director.

A few rough seasons behind them and only three years into their program the championship banners began being hoisted in The Student Life Center. The Eagles had officially started building credibility for themselves in small college basketball communities throughout Southern California. Regular dates with NCAA D-III and NAIA schools confirmed this for Beeson and his coaching staff.

This was a quick turnaround for someone who didn't know the slightest thing about small-time collegiate basketball when he agreed to take the job. Although what Beeson did know was that fundamentals are the name of the game and if you take care of the basketball and defend, you have a shot to win. These were the basics he had learned from his old high school coach George Key, which modeled his coaching style after legends Henry Iba and Bobby Knight.

Intense, demanding and sometimes maybe too intense and too demanding is how Beeson, like his mentors, likes to run his program. Even though times may be changing, Beeson's "old school" style of coaching seems to be working and his players are benefiting from the setup. Senior Glenn Soliven described the Eagles coach as "sometimes hard to love," but only because of his passion for the players to become the best.

Three PCAC championships in the bag and a fourth place showing at last years ACCA Nationals, things only look up for WCBC.

"(Beeson) is very passionate about what he does," assistant coach of 15 years Don Schellenberg said. "He is constantly teaching fundamentals, pushing to get the most out of each player.

"He puts his whole heart into it. What success we've had I think is attributed to him. When you think about basketball at WCBC (Beeson) is the backbone there."

With plans of a new gymnasium in the works, projects like these mark the results that have come from WCBC basketball and its coach of eight years.

The Eagles begin their quest for their fourth PCAC title tonight at home against Southwestern with Beeson returning a strong nucleus of last year's talent.

Still nervous before every game, the Eagles coach makes note at every chance he gets that its not by his own doing he has found success where little was given to start with. Results speak for themselves, and anyone you ask on campus couldn't be happier with the individual leading their beloved Eagles.

"It is humbling to be a part of (all this success)," Beeson said. "Ten years ago I never thought I would coach college basketball ... I'm happy right here."