VICTORIA – The University of Victoria men's basketball team will look a little bit different next season, with the notable absence of longtime head coach Craig Beaucamp. Beaucamp is leaving the Vikes to take on the role of assistant coach with the University of the Pacific men's basketball program in Stockton, California.

After 21 seasons at the program's helm and two years as the assistant coach, Beaucamp joins the NCAA Division I Pacific Tigers coaching staff alongside longtime friend and former Carleton men's basketball coach Dave Smart. Smart was named head coach of the Pacific Tigers in early March.

Coming off one of his most successful seasons to date, Beaucamp led the Vikes to their third-straight conference title, earning the U SPORTS Coach of the Year and Canada West Coach of the Year honours for the sixth time in his career. But for Beaucamp, the opportunity to coach at a Division I school is one he couldn't pass up.
 
"It wasn't an easy decision and it's certainly bittersweet; I've thoroughly enjoyed my time coaching at UVic and I feel privileged to have had this opportunity for so many years," said Beaucamp. "The chance to coach with someone I've known for over 20 years came up quickly and it's an exciting new challenge. I've probably only got a few opportunities to take on new challenges in my career, so it was something I just couldn't pass up."

A fixture in the Victoria basketball community, Beaucamp took over the head coaching duties prior to the 2003-2004 season after the tragic and sudden death of former head coach Guy Vetrie.

Under Beaucamp's leadership, the Vikes appeared at the U SPORTS Final 8 six times. Beaucamp earned his first national medal as head coach of the program in 2005-06, when he led the Vikes to the U SPORTS Championship final for the 11th time in program history. The Vikes entered the tournament as Canada West Champions, seeded number one overall, and came away with the silver medal.

Prior to joining UVic, Beaucamp coached for nine seasons at Melfort Collegiate High School in Saskatchewan.

He is also familiar with the international circuit with his most recent stint coaching Canada's U19 men's team at the FIBA U19 Men's Basketball World Cup last summer. Additionally, he led the U16 Canadian national team to a second-place finish at the 2017 FIBA U16 Americas Championship, among other international assignments.

"We are truly sad to see Craig leave the Vikes. Over the last two decades his contribution to not only our basketball team but also the entire department, university and community has been immense. I experienced firsthand how difficult this decision was for Craig, and it is important to know that we at Vikes are both excited and proud to see him move on to this next chapter; it's an opportunity that is well-deserved.  Thank you Craig and remember, once a Vike, always a Vike," said Director of Varsity Performance Sport, Nick Clarke.

Beaucamp's announcement comes just a month after longtime assistant coach Josh Mullen accepted the head coaching position with the Mount Royal University men's basketball program.

The department will begin the search for a new men's head basketball coach immediately.