The Whatcom Community College women’s basketball team will play Saturday, Feb. 8 against Shoreline after forfeiting its last four games — this time with a new coach.
The Orcas (5-21) will return to the court with Chris Scrimsher as the “acting head women’s basketball coach,” according to WCC. He will be taking over from first-year coach Bobbi Sommerfield, who is currently on leave from her head coaching role. She previously coached at Western Washington University under her maiden name, Bobbi Westendorf.
No reason was given for the coaching change. CDN requested an interview with Athletic Director Rob Pedicone, but WCC public information officer Marni Saling Mayer responded saying comments CDN was given Tuesday, Feb. 4 was “the extent of the information that WCC can provide at this time.”
Sommerfield began running practices for the women’s team in early August 2024. She was named the Orcas’ new women’s head basketball coach on May 24. Her husband, Alex Sommerfield, coaches the men’s team.
Scrimsher had a longstanding relationship with WCC, serving various roles for more than 21 years, including athletic director and the men’s and women’s basketball coach. He won two North Region championships and was named the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges Coach of the Year in 2003 and 2012.
Once he left WCC, Scrimsher became the Nooksack Valley High boys basketball head coach in 2014, where he coached for two seasons. He took over a winless Pioneers program (0-22) and led them to a 1A Northwest District Tournament appearance in his second year.
“The college is appreciative of Chris’ willingness to step into this role to support the completion of the 2024–25 basketball season,” Mayer said.
Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.
