Columbia, MO – Stephens College Athletics is pleased to announce the hiring of Steve Carvajal as an assistant coach for the Stars women's basketball program.
Carvajal joins Stephens with an extensive coaching resume spanning multiple sports and decades of experience developing championship-caliber student-athletes. A native of Emporia, Kansas, and now a resident of Tipton, Missouri, Carvajal has built a reputation for creating winning cultures while mentoring athletes both on and off the court.
Carvajal earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Missouri Southern State University before completing a master's degree in administration from Northwest Missouri State University. He later earned an Education Specialist degree in Superintendent Leadership from William Woods University.
Throughout his coaching career, Carvajal has coached football, baseball, boys basketball, girls basketball, and track. His teams have advanced to nine state Final Fours, and he has been part of state championship-winning programs in baseball, boys basketball, and girls basketball. Among the many highlights of his coaching career, Carvajal considers coaching his daughters to be his most memorable accomplishment. He guided one daughter to a remarkable 59-game winning streak and a state championship in 2023 before coaching his youngest daughter to another state title in 2026.
"I am excited to welcome Steve Carvajal to Stephens College as our new Assistant Basketball Coach," said interim head coach Daryl Betts. "Steve brings one of the sharpest basketball minds in Missouri and a proven track record of building winning programs. His success comes from preparation, discipline, and a commitment to developing student-athletes both on and off the court. Simply put, Steve knows how to teach the game, build relationships, and help programs succeed."
Carvajal is excited to join the Stars and help continue building the women's basketball program, "I look forward to working with Coach Betts and our student-athletes while helping take Stephens College women's basketball to the next level," said Carvajal. "Our goal is to compete for a spot in the national tournament. Coach Betts has done an outstanding job recruiting not only talented basketball players, but outstanding young women as well. We expect to have immediate success, and I hope I can make a positive impact on the program. I believe the future of Stephens basketball is very bright."
Carvajal's championship pedigree, extensive coaching background, and passion for developing student-athletes make him a valuable addition to the Stars coaching staff. His experience in fostering winning programs and mentoring athletes will play an important role as Stephens continues its pursuit of conference championships and national tournament aspirations.
