Bethel Names Geandre Almeida as Next Women’s Golf Head Coach
MISHAWAKA, Ind. – Bethel College Athletic Director Tom Visker is pleased to announce that Geandre Almeida has been named as the fourth women’s golf head coach in program history.
“I can’t think a more qualified person to be the next head coach of our women’s golf program than Geandra,” stated Visker. “As one of our BU and women’s golf alums, she experienced what it is like to be challenged to be your best athletically, academically, and spiritually through playing the sport you love. She has the technical knowledge of the game and a passion for building relationships that will allow her to uphold elite status of our women’s golf program.”
Almeida has been an assistant coach for the Pilots for the previous three seasons and helped the Pilots to a 195-80 record with ten tournament/match wins. Accolades with Almeida on staff include two NCCAA All-Americans, three NCCAA North Central Region Players of the Year, 14 NCCAA North Central All-Region, seven NCCAA National Student-Athletes of the Week, nine Crossroads League All-Conference, nine NAIA Scholar Athletes, and ten NCCAA Scholar Athletes.
“I’ve been very blessed to be a part of this team for 5 years: two as a student athlete and three as an assistant coach,” described Almeida. “Bethel University has had a tremendous impact in my life with amazing opportunities to compete at a high level, as well as challenging me academically and spiritually.
Almeida, a 2014 graduate of Bethel, played for the Pilots from 2012-14, and was a two-time NAIA All-American and an NAIA Scholar Athlete for the Pilots. She was also named the 2013 Crossroads League Female Athlete of the Year and was a two-time Crossroads League Women’s Golf Player of the Year. She ranks second in program history with eight tournament medalist honors.
“I couldn’t be more excited for Geandra and this women’s golf program,” elated Christopher Hess. “She has played at such a high level and will be an amazing coach and mentor for these young ladies! If you want to be challenged to grow, improve as a competitive golfer and have a great college experience, Bethel University is where you want to be, and I can’t wait to watch what Coach “G” can do with this team!”
A native of Brazil, Almeida was the No. 1-ranked amateur in Brazil when she came to the United States in 2010. Prior to joining the Pilots, she was a two-time All-American at Lee University (Tenn.).
“I can’t thank Coach Hess enough for being my coach and mentor during all these years, he has been a great influence in my life,” continued Almeida. “Also, I want to thank athletic director Tom Visker, and soon-to-be AD Tony Natali for giving me this opportunity.
“I feel very honored to be the next head coach of this amazing program and am so excited to work with this team and be able to provide them an outstanding experience. My goal is to build a competitive team that is focused on culture and a desire to grow spiritually, academically and physically with every opportunity we have.”
Almeida inherits a program that went 62-26 a season ago with two tournament/match wins.