Community members are invited to come and help welcome Peninsula College’s new men’s basketball coach Mitch Freeman and his family on Tuesday, Sept. 17, in the gym foyer on the main campus in Port Angeles. The welcoming reception is from 4:30-6 p.m.
Freeman is beginning his first season as Peninsula College’s head men’s basketball coach following eight years of Division I men’s basketball coaching experience.
Peninsula College Men’s Basketball has gained national prominence over the past three years, winning the NWAACC championship in 2011, placing fourth in 2012 and earning a top 12 finish in 2013. During each of these seasons, the Pirates were ranked No. 1 at some point during the playing season.
A Northwest native, Freeman worked at Seattle University from 2005-2009, and then followed his mentor, Joe Callero, to California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, Calif., to be the lead scout in charge of game preparation and defense and part of a recruiting staff covering Washington, Oregon and California.
During his stint at Cal Poly, Freeman helped construct one of the top defenses in NCAA Division I basketball. Under his guidance during the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 seasons, Cal Poly twice ranked among the top 25 defensive programs in the nation.
In addition to his role as the Pirates head men’s basketball coach, Freeman also will serve as athletic development coordinator, spearheading fund raising efforts for athletic scholarships and managing the Pirate Athletic Association.
“Our program will be a reflection of Peninsula College and the individuals who make up this great community,” Freeman said. He looks to four themes that he will build his program around ― humility, unity, toughness and thankfulness.
Freeman has a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Washington State University and a master’s degree in education administration from Grand Canyon University.
Mitch and his wife, Nicole, have a son, Eli.
For more information about men’s basketball, contact Mitch Freeman at mfreeman@pencol.edu or 417-6467.
