After three years of building the Ballard Beavers girl's basketball team into a state playoff contender, head coach Karen Blair has resigned.

Blair had been critical of the school administration for not providing her team with a room for team meetings. The boy's basketball team had a room remodeled for their use.

Last season, the team had been meeting in the varsity girl's locker room with two of their male assistant coaches in attendance. A girl on the wrestling team was uncomfortable with the two men in the locker room. Soon after, the Seattle School District ruled that male coaches were not allowed in girl's locker rooms.

"I was not aware of any issues," said principal Phil Brockman. "I've talked with her and I've worked with her. I highly respect what she did with the girls. She's a great coach."

The girl's team was given the option of coming up with an arrangement to share the boy's meeting room, use a classroom or the physical education locker room. Blair chose the physical education locker room.

Blair emphasized she has nothing against the boys basketball team or their coaches and this is not a "boys versus girls," situation.

"We made some arrangements," said Blair. "It became a huge hassle. I said we need a place to meet. It's not fair to go through that."

As training camp approached last fall and the situation was not resolved, she decided this would be her last year at Ballard, but did not say anything to her players.

"I wanted the kids to focus on the season," Blair said.

The team had one of their best seasons in school history. Ballard won a major holiday basketball tournament in San Diego, tied for their division title and won the district championship before winning three out of four games at state.

The third-year coach led the Beavers to a 24 and 3 record this year and was named the Seattle Times Coach of the Year.

"She was a great coach. Our girls were blessed to have her with us. Good luck to her in the future. It looks like she wants to move on to bigger and better things in the college ranks. We were fortunate to have her come in to work with us. We appreciate that," said Brockman,

If Blair would have stayed on as coach of the Beavers, she would have faced a rebuilding year with six seniors, all major contributors to the playoff run, lost to graduation.

Blair has coached for 14 consecutive years. Her Beaver team made the KingCo playoffs each of the last three years.

Before joining the Beavers, Blair coached Meadowdale to two state championships in 11 seasons.

"I'll take some time off and see what is out there," said Blair who is open to other coaching opportunities.

Dean Wong may be reached at 783.1244 or deanw@robinsonnews.com