Jara Shoemaker was is entering her second season at the helm for the Threshers.
Shoemaker's debut season saw the Threshers reach a pinnacle they hadn't since 2021 as they reached the NAIA National Tournament. finishing the season 21-10 overall, the Threshers finished second in the KCAC Regular Season before falling in the Quarterfinals. In the National Tournament, the Threshers, an 11 seed, took down the sixth seeded Concordia 78-76 for the first NAIA National Tournament victory in school history. Bethel would eventually fall to the third seeded Dakota State 104-74, capping off one of the most historic seasons in Bethel College Women's Basketball history.Â
A native of Minneapolis, Kansas, Shoemaker began her collegiate playing career at Barton Community College, where she played two seasons and earned her Associate of Arts degree. After taking time away from college, she completed her bachelor’s degree at Fort Hays State University.
Before beginning her coaching career, Shoemaker worked in the health care industry for 10 years. She entered the coaching profession as an assistant girls’ basketball coach at Life Prep Academy in Wichita, Kansas. She served in that role for six years before being named the school’s Athletic Director.
Shoemaker joined the Bethel College women’s basketball coaching staff as an assistant coach for the 2024–25 season. Following one year in that role, she was promoted to head coach.
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