Amaya Joins Skagit Valley Coaching Staff
Published on October 10, 2013 under International Basketball League (IBL)
Bellingham Slam News Release
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Bellingham Slam assistant coach Tyler Amaya is extending his foray into the coaching world after being named to the staff of Skagit Valley College men's basketball program.
Amaya will serve as an assistant to Skagit's new head coach Brock Veltri, who was named to the position by the college in July, after coaching at Carroll College in Montana for the past four seasons.
"I am very excited for the opportunity to coach at Skagit Valley," Amaya said. "Coach Veltri is a great guy whom I can learn a lot from and I believe we can be very successful here."
Amaya made his debut in the coaching ranks as an assistant coach for the Slam during the team's 2013 International Basketball League season. Under head coach Rob Ridnour's tutelage, the pair helped lead Bellingham to an 18-2 record and the team's second straight IBL championship.
"I want to thank Coach Ridnour and the Slam for the opportunity to coach with them this past spring, it was a pleasure to learn from him while coaching many good friends," Amaya shared.
First joining the Slam in 2008, Amaya played an instrumental role in the team's first IBL championship win that season, and went on to compete in parts of four seasons with Bellingham between stints with professional teams overseas, which took his basketball career to five different continents, until injuries forced him to the sidelines.
A native of Skagit County, Amaya has been a notable figure in the region's basketball community for over a decade. He led Mount Vernon High School to a 3A state championship in 2001 and Western Washington University to consecutive NCAA-II West Regional Tournament appearances in 2005 and 2006, with stints at Gonzaga and Dixie State College in between.
Amaya and the Cardinals open their season at home on November 29 against Green River Community College.
International Basketball League Stories from October 10, 2013
- Amaya Joins Skagit Valley Coaching Staff - Bellingham Slam
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
