Van Girard Named to Southern California Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame
CSUDH women's basketball head coach recognized for stellar coaching career at Lynwood HS
March 8, 2004

Carson, CA -- Cal State Dominguez Hills women's basketball head coach Van Girard has been selected to the Southern California Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame (SCIBCA), it was announced in a ceremony held at the Pyramid on the Long Beach State campus this past Friday.

Van Girard has been selected to the Southern California Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame

In addition to Girard, the SCIBCA, geared toward the professional and fraternal growth of coaches in the CIF Southern Section, also tabbed Ron Palmer (LB Poly), Gary Prestesator (San Dimas HS) and Cliff Warren (El Segundo, Rolling Hills, Redondo and Peninsula HS) as 2004 inductees.

Prior to becoming women's head basketball coach at CSUDH, Girard served as the girl's varsity basketball coach at Lynwood High School for ten years, where he compiled an incredible 230-48 career record and an amazing .827 winning percentage. Girard created a dynasty at LHS, leading his team to 10-straight playoff berths, seven-consecutive San Gabriel Valley Conference championships, two CIF championship appearances and two Southern Regional State playoff championships, culminating with a CIF title in 1986.

During his tenure at LHS, he twice was honored as the Los Angeles Times "4A Coach of the Year." Even more impressively, Girard was honored as the California and CIF "Coach of the Year" in 1986. As a prep coach, 15 of his players earned NCAA Division I or Division II athletic scholarships at the collegiate level.

Girard recently completed his 16th year at the helm of the women's basketball program, achieving his milestone 200th victory in a 53-48 road win over cross-town rival Cal State L.A. on December 27.