Alyssa Waite Signs Five-Year Contract Extension To Remain As Long Beach State Women’s Golf Head Coach

5/16/2024 9:34:00 AM | Women's Golf

In three seasons, Waite has twice been named the Big West Coach of the Year and has seen her charges win three individual and three team championships.

By: Roger Kirk, Associate Athletics Director, Communications & Broadcast

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State Executive Director of Athletics Bobby Smitheran announced Thursday that Long Beach State Athletics and Alyssa Waite have agreed to a five-year contract extension for Waite, keeping the rising golf coaching star at Long Beach State.

                The Big West Coach of the Year in each of the last two seasons in just her third year at Long Beach State, the program has continued to see historic accomplishments become seemingly routine under the leadership of Waite.

                Long Beach State set a program record with three team championships during the 2023-24 season when the program had only seen 11 prior team victories over the 50+ history of Long Beach State Women's Golf. A 17-under par 271 was the lowest team round in program history, as was the team's 25-under par full tournament at The Clash at Boulder Creek this season.

                The Beach had five golfers named All-Big West including three First Team selections as the Beach dominated the Big West Championship, winning by 23 strokes. Jasmine Leovao repeated as the Individual Medalist at the championship, while Big West Freshman of the Year Andee Avery and Janae Leovao shared third place and sophomore Madison Le also placed in the Top 10. All four players were recruited by Waite.

                Long Beach State advanced to the NCAA Regionals for the fifth time in program history, and saw sophomore Jasmine Leovao advance to the NCAA Championship as an individual, just the second golfer and third participant from LBSU, joining Long Beach State Hall of Famer Kay Hoey who previously reached the tournament in 2005 and 2007.

                "Alyssa continues to raise the bar of the Women's Golf program at the Beach, with no clearer evidence than her accomplishments this past season," stated Smitheran. "This extension recognizes the competitive excellence of the Women's Golf program both on the course and in the classroom under her leadership, as well as the tremendous community work Alyssa is doing in Long Beach to raise the profile of the program. Alyssa is committed to ensuring our student-athletes have a great experience while competing for championships and we look forward to the future of the program under her guidance."

                In the last two years, Long Beach State has had eight players earn All-Big West including five First Team selections, and back-to-back Big West Freshman of the Year award winners in Jasmine Leovao and Andee Avery.

                "I am extremely grateful to be able to lead this program for another five years. We are building something great here at the Beach and I couldn't be more excited to continue that journey," said Waite. "Bobby Smitheran and [Senior Associate Athletic Director] Sean Ferrera have entrusted me to make this program special and we are doing just that. We have built a strong foundation in my first three years here, and I'm truly looking forward to the coming years here at the Beach."

                Long Beach State is set up for future success, with six players from the Big West championship winning squad returning for the upcoming 2025 season, with five underclassman including four All-Big West selections this past year.

                Waite will coach Jasmine Leovao at the 2024 NCAA Championships beginning Friday at Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, Calif.

                Later this summer Waite will then head to Japan as the Long Beach State leader was selected as the Team USA girl's head coach for the Toyota World Cup. The event features 20 teams representing their countries from around the world, with eight girl's teams made up of three of their country's best junior golfers competing, including the USA. Held June 18-21 at the Chukyo Golf Club Ishino Course, teams will play 72 holes of stroke play over four days.