Beauchamp Tabbed as Head Women’s Basketball Coach; Keele to be Athletic Department’s First Graduate Assistant Coach

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.— Assistant Dean of Athletics and Recreation Laura Mooney has announced that Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) alum and former men's basketball player Russell Beauchamp has been selected as the next Head Women's Basketball Coach.

"I am thrilled to welcome Russell back to MCLA and excited to see him drive the women's basketball program forward," said Mooney. "We feel his experience and passion for teaching the game, as well as his strong desire to serve the community and specifically MCLA make him the right person for the job."

Beauchamp returns to MCLA after serving on the Drury High School boys' basketball coaching staff for the last nine years. He also runs a local AAU program, the North Adams Basketball League and serves as a personal trainer.

"I am extremely excited and grateful for this opportunity. I would like to thank Director Mooney and the search committee for their vote of confidence", said Beauchamp. "I am fully committed to the process required to improve and grow the program and ready to get to work!"

In addition to the hiring of Beauchamp, Mooney also announced the first-ever graduate assistant coach in athletic department history, Sharaya Keele, who will join Beauchamp and the Women's Basketball program.

A four-year women's basketball player and 2025 graduate of Albertus Magnus College, Keele also played at Hoosac Valley High School in nearby Cheshire.

"We are thrilled to welcome Sharaya to MCLA and excited to help launch her coaching career with our women's basketball program," said Mooney. "Sharaya has an obvious passion for college athletics and basketball, and we are confident she will take full advantage of this opportunity."

Beachamp and Keele will assume their responsibilities immediately.