Steve Brooks begins his ninth year as the head women's basketball coach at IWU. Coach Brooks brings 25 years of coaching experience as he continues to build the Lady Wildcat basketball program.
Brooks graduated from Taylor University in 1980 with a B.A. in Bible/Christian Education. He was a three-year starter and four year letterman while at Taylor.
When Brooks playing days were over he started his coaching career at Liberty Benton High School in Findlay, Ohio. After three years at Liberty Benton, Brooks returned to Taylor University where he served as the assistant men?s basketball coach under head coach Paul Patterson. The 1983-84 Taylor team won the District 21 championship and made the first of many trips to the NAIA National Tournament.
After three seasons of coaching at Taylor, Brooks landed his first head college coaching job at Houghton College in Houghton, New York. Competing in District 18 of the NAIA was a great experience. Houghton played the likes of West Minster College (PA), Waynesburg College (PA) and Saint Vincent (PA). The quality of coaching and the talent of the players were outstanding. While at Houghton Brooks finished his second master?s degree in Physical Education from Ball State University. Brook?s 1991 team finished with a best ever record of 18-9 and its first national ranking in the NAIA poll.
From Houghton Brooks moved back to Taylor where he served as the men?s assistant and moved into athletic administration. During his second stint at Taylor the program participated in three NAIA National Tournaments and received its first ever #1 ranking in the NAIA national polls.
While at IWU, Brooks' teams have shown steady improvement as they have strived to climb the mountain. In his third year, the Lady Wildcats finished 29-8 and were co-champions in the always-tough Mid Central Conference. They also made it to the MCC championship game, won the Midwest Regional NCCAA Tournament, and were the NCCAA National Champions. In 2002-2003, the Lady Wildcats were MCC regular season champs, MCC tournament champions, and finished the season once again 29-8 and capped the year off with a Sweet 16 finish in the NAIA National Tournament. In 2003-2004, the Lady Wildcats again enjoyed similar success finishing 29-8, were co-champions of the MCC and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NAIA National Tournament for the second year in a row.
In 2004-05, the Lady Wildcats went even a step further. They finished 33-3 overall and were both MCC regular season and tournament champions while compiling an undefeated record. The Lady Wildcats also advanced to the Elite 8 at the NAIA National Tournament for the first time in school history. During the 2005-06 season, the Lady Wildcats received the #1 ranking in NAIA for the first time in the program?s history and held the top spot for four weeks. They finished the season 28-7, ranked #9 in the nation, and once again reached the Sweet 16 at the NAIA National Tournament.
The 2006-07 season turned out to be one for the record books. The Lady Wildcats finished the season 38-0 and capped off the year by winning the NAIA Division II National Championship. In the process, they set a record for most consecutive wins in a season as well as becoming the first team to finish a season undefeated. For the team?s accomplishments, Brooks was honored as the MCC, NAIA, and WBCA Coach of the Year.
Coach Brooks and the Lady Wildcats are committed to striving for excellence, committed to the process, and committed to honoring Christ with the gifts and abilities they have been given.
Coach Brooks and his wife Terri have four children: Josh-22, Stephanie-20, Ashley-17, and Micah-15.
