Epperson receives the WSU Alumni Achievement Award

Steve Epperson One of the state’s most successful basketball coaches, Steve Epperson of Stanwood was honored with the Washington State University Alumni Association (WSUAA) Alumni Achievement Award March 31 at Skagit Valley College.

He graduated from WSU in 1977 with four degrees, a BA in recreation, a BA in business administration and BS and MS degrees in physical education.

Epperson was recognized for his outstanding career in higher education, as women’s basketball coach and director of student financial aid at SVC. After more than three decades in the world of financial aid, Epperson is regarded as an exemplary leader in community college financial aid.

He frequently volunteers to help other institutions employ new financial aid software and systems.

As coach for women’s basketball, he rallied 728 career wins with an average of more than 22 wins per season, making him the most successful women’s basketball coach in northwest community college history. He guided SVC to NWAACC championships in 1988, 1994, 1996, and won the NWAACC championship with an undefeated team in 1998.

Epperson has been named Coach of the Year for the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC) four times, and has been named Coach of the Year for the North Division 15 times.

He was inducted into the NWAACC Hall of Fame in the spring of 2005.

Epperson had a profound impact on the lives of hundreds of students and student athletes. The Alumni Achievement Award is the highest honor bestowed by the WSUAA.