Beth Couture
Encyclopedia
Beth Couture is the head women's basketball coach at Butler University
. From her first season at Butler in 2002–2003 through the 2010–2011 season, she compiled a 148–127 record including three consecutive WNIT appearances and four consecutive 20-win seasons, including a 23–10 mark in 2010, the most wins in team history.In 2007, Couture's contract at Butler was extended through the 2011–12 season.
in 1987. Between 1987 and 1994, she obtained a record of 233–50, was named SAC Volleyball coach of the year three times, and guided the Blue Hose volleyball team to three national tournaments, including the school’s first-ever NCAA postseason appearance in 1993.
In addition to volleyball, Couture coached women's basketball on the collegiate level beginning in 1987, spending two seasons as an assistant at Presbyterian College
from 1987 to 1989, arriving after three years at as the head coach at Dixie High School
in Due West, South Carolina
, where she posted a 49–28 record. She was first named head coach for the 1989–90 season at Presbyterian. After thirteen seasons, Couture compiled a 258–117 (.688) overall record, including eight 20-win seasons. In addition, she led the program to the NCAA Division II national tournament six times in her final nine years. Further, Couture served as an assistant director of athletics from 1993-2002, until taking her current position at Butler.
Couture also holds the Beth Couture Basketball Camp each summer at Butler University.
, Couture was a four-time women's basketball MVP at Erskine College
, where she graduated in 1984. She was also selected as a Kodak All-American honoree as a senior and was inducted into the Erskine College Hall of Fame in December 1989. After earning her bachelor's degree in Physical Education at Erskine, Couture earned her master’s degree in the same field at Furman University
in 1987.
During Butler's most successful women's basketball season to date in 2009–10, Couture battled breast cancer
, eventually entering radiation therapy
following a mastectomy
after undergoing chemotherapy
. She was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in April 2009. Since entering remission in 2010, Couture is one of the Indianapolis community's leaders in the fight against the disease, participating in several breast cancer awareness events. She walked 38 miles over a two-day span for St. Vincent's Weekend to End Breast Cancer, was the 2011 honorary chairwoman for the St. Vincent Woman of Hope group, and was named a 2010 Woman of Distinction by Butler University. During the men's NCAA Final Four in 2010, she and Butler Men's Basketball Coach Brad Stevens
attended the annual Coaches vs. Cancer dinner together.In September 2010, Couture and the Butler women's basketball team raised $7,145 for breast cancer research and Couture walked 38 miles over a two day span as part of Saint Vincent's Weekend to End Breast Cancer. In addition, the women's basketball team has worn pink uniforms to raise breast cancer awareness.
Butler University
Butler University is a private university located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in 1855 and named after founder Ovid Butler, the university offers 60 degree programs to 4,400 students through six colleges: business, communication, education, liberal Arts and sciences, pharmacy and health...
. From her first season at Butler in 2002–2003 through the 2010–2011 season, she compiled a 148–127 record including three consecutive WNIT appearances and four consecutive 20-win seasons, including a 23–10 mark in 2010, the most wins in team history.In 2007, Couture's contract at Butler was extended through the 2011–12 season.
Coaching history
Beth Couture began coaching on the collegiate level when she became the head volleyball coach at Presbyterian CollegePresbyterian College
Presbyterian College is a private liberal arts college in Clinton, South Carolina, USA. Presbyterian College, or PC, is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church USA. PC was founded in 1880 by William Plumer Jacobs, a prominent Presbyterian minister who also founded the nearby Thornwell Home and...
in 1987. Between 1987 and 1994, she obtained a record of 233–50, was named SAC Volleyball coach of the year three times, and guided the Blue Hose volleyball team to three national tournaments, including the school’s first-ever NCAA postseason appearance in 1993.
In addition to volleyball, Couture coached women's basketball on the collegiate level beginning in 1987, spending two seasons as an assistant at Presbyterian College
Presbyterian College
Presbyterian College is a private liberal arts college in Clinton, South Carolina, USA. Presbyterian College, or PC, is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church USA. PC was founded in 1880 by William Plumer Jacobs, a prominent Presbyterian minister who also founded the nearby Thornwell Home and...
from 1987 to 1989, arriving after three years at as the head coach at Dixie High School
Dixie High School (South Carolina)
Dixie High School is a school for grades 8-12 in Due West, South Carolina and is part of the Abbeville County School District. As of 2006 it has an enrollment of 333 students.Mascot-Hornet.-Sports:...
in Due West, South Carolina
Due West, South Carolina
Due West is a town in Abbeville County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,209 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Due West is located at ....
, where she posted a 49–28 record. She was first named head coach for the 1989–90 season at Presbyterian. After thirteen seasons, Couture compiled a 258–117 (.688) overall record, including eight 20-win seasons. In addition, she led the program to the NCAA Division II national tournament six times in her final nine years. Further, Couture served as an assistant director of athletics from 1993-2002, until taking her current position at Butler.
Couture also holds the Beth Couture Basketball Camp each summer at Butler University.
Personal life and education
Originally from Greenville, SCGreenville, South Carolina
-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
, Couture was a four-time women's basketball MVP at Erskine College
Erskine College
Erskine College is a four year, Christian liberal arts college located in Due West, South Carolina.-Early history:Established in 1839 by the Associate Reformed Synod of the South as an academy for men, Erskine College became the first four year, church-related college in South Carolina...
, where she graduated in 1984. She was also selected as a Kodak All-American honoree as a senior and was inducted into the Erskine College Hall of Fame in December 1989. After earning her bachelor's degree in Physical Education at Erskine, Couture earned her master’s degree in the same field at Furman University
Furman University
Furman University is a selective, private, coeducational, liberal arts college in Greenville, South Carolina, United States. Furman is one of the oldest, and more selective private institutions in South Carolina...
in 1987.
During Butler's most successful women's basketball season to date in 2009–10, Couture battled breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
, eventually entering radiation therapy
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy , radiation oncology, or radiotherapy , sometimes abbreviated to XRT or DXT, is the medical use of ionizing radiation, generally as part of cancer treatment to control malignant cells.Radiation therapy is commonly applied to the cancerous tumor because of its ability to control...
following a mastectomy
Mastectomy
Mastectomy is the medical term for the surgical removal of one or both breasts, partially or completely. Mastectomy is usually done to treat breast cancer; in some cases, women and some men believed to be at high risk of breast cancer have the operation prophylactically, that is, to prevent cancer...
after undergoing chemotherapy
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with an antineoplastic drug or with a combination of such drugs into a standardized treatment regimen....
. She was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in April 2009. Since entering remission in 2010, Couture is one of the Indianapolis community's leaders in the fight against the disease, participating in several breast cancer awareness events. She walked 38 miles over a two-day span for St. Vincent's Weekend to End Breast Cancer, was the 2011 honorary chairwoman for the St. Vincent Woman of Hope group, and was named a 2010 Woman of Distinction by Butler University. During the men's NCAA Final Four in 2010, she and Butler Men's Basketball Coach Brad Stevens
Brad Stevens
Brad Stevens is an American college basketball coach and former player. He is currently the head men's basketball coach at Butler University. He grew up in Zionsville, Indiana, where he starred on the Zionsville Community High School basketball team, setting four school records...
attended the annual Coaches vs. Cancer dinner together.In September 2010, Couture and the Butler women's basketball team raised $7,145 for breast cancer research and Couture walked 38 miles over a two day span as part of Saint Vincent's Weekend to End Breast Cancer. In addition, the women's basketball team has worn pink uniforms to raise breast cancer awareness.