Wheaton College Names Women's Basketball Coach

Wheaton College Athletic Director Dr. Tony Ladd announced Thursday the hiring of Kent Madsen as the head coach for the Thunder women’s basketball team. He will be the eighth head coach in 51 seasons of women’s basketball at Wheaton, and will replace Beth Baker, who announced her retirement on May 2 after 25 seasons as Wheaton’s head coach.

Madsen moves into the head coaching role after serving as the acting head coach for the Thunder during the 2010-11 season while Beth Baker was on medical leave. Madsen was named the 2010-11 CCIW “Coach of the Year” for guiding Wheaton to an 11-3 record in CCIW play with a second-place finish in the CCIW. The Thunder compiled an overall record of 18-6 on the season; as junior standout Laura Karsten earned Second Team All-American honors.

Ladd noted of Madsen’s hiring, “As we went through the process, Kent became the clear choice in terms of having the total package of what we were looking for.” He continued, “He has a technical knowledge of coaching, a proven ability to recruit to Wheaton, he has strong organizational skills and has proven to be a strong spiritual leader and mentor to our student-athletes over the last several years.” Ladd concluded, “Kent did an exceptional job last winter, serving as the acting head coach and we are very appreciative of his work.”

Madsen has been a member of the Thunder women’s basketball staff since joining the program as a part-time assistant coach 1998 and he began serving as the team’s full-time assistant coach in 2001. He also has served as an assistant baseball coach at Wheaton since for the past five seasons.

Madsen said of his appointment, “I am extremely grateful to Wheaton College for allowing me the opportunity to serve as the women’s basketball coach. It is awesome to coach at an institution that focuses on Christ-centered education.” He continued, “I am also very thankful to Beth Baker for serving as a mentor to me for several years. Beth has demonstrated the impact a coach can have on the lives of student-athletes. I appreciate her 25 years of service to Wheaton and the women’s basketball program. This program has a strong foundation centered on Christ and I look forward to seeing the program grow, pursue excellence and build community.”

He is a 1988 graduate of Westmont College, earning his degree in Physical Education and he holds a Master’s Degree in Recreation Administration in 2004 from Aurora University. Kent and his wife Laurie live in Montgomery, Illinois with their two children - daughter Kirsten and son Trey.