Women's Basketball Friday, December 5, 2025 NWC Athletic Communications

A Calling Renewed: Journeying Through Life, Loss, and New Beginnings

ORANGE CITY, Iowa – Chris Yaw's journey back to Northwestern College is a testament to the profound impact of faith, resilience, and community.

After four years away from the sidelines, Yaw's return as Northwestern's women's basketball coach was about more than just a coaching position — it was a calling.

With a career rooted in spiritual principles, Yaw believes his role as a coach extends far beyond the court. It's about making a difference in the lives of the student-athletes he mentors.

His approach is not only about winning games, but about fostering a faith-based environment where athletes can grow spiritually, academically, and personally.

His return to Northwestern College was not just a professional decision; it was a spiritual journey.

THE CALLING
Yaw's decision to return to Northwestern College was not taken lightly. It was a deeply personal decision that involved his family, friends, and mentors.

"God opened the door to a place here at Northwestern, an institution I love and have great admiration for and has been very impactful for me and my family," Yaw said. "Through prayerful discernment and visiting with my family, it didn't take much. I threw my name in the ring, started having conversations about this position, and there it was."

Yaw's connection to Northwestern College runs deep. Even during his time away from coaching, he remained connected to the program and the community. His love for the institution and its mission never wavered.

"It's pretty easy to stay connected, really," Yaw said.

"My wife and I, we're kind of sport nuts, so anything with Northwestern athletics, if it was able to fit in our calendar, we're going to do it. Just out of caring for this place and having a great commitment to it, and in return, it fed our family so well over the years, spiritually, emotionally, and relationally."

A TRANSFORMATIVE APPROACH
Yaw's approach to coaching has evolved over the years. Life circumstances, including personal challenges and triumphs, have shaped his perspective on the purpose of coaching.

He believes that coaching is not only about winning games, but about influencing and impacting lives.

"Commitment's not about how you feel that day. It's about a decision you made," Yaw said. "That's changed in how I am trying to approach the whole picture of this platform of sport to influence people. I've always tried to make it a platform in which we're influencing people to be influential on their own journey."

Yaw's goal is to create a transformative experience for his student-athletes. He wants them to feel passionate about what they're doing and to grow in their faith, academics, and relationships. He believes that by glorifying God in everything they do, they can make a difference in the lives of others.

"We hope that we're glorifying God in how we're going about it," Yaw said. "At the same time, we're trying to be really intentional about pouring into and serving the women in our program and coaches pouring into each other. In the end, we desire to chase excellence on the scoreboard and in how we are serving and caring for those around us."

A COMMITMENT TO SERVITUDE
Yaw's coaching philosophy is centered around the idea of servitude. He believes that to be a successful team, the players must care for each other, love each other, and serve each other. It's not just about individual success, but about lifting each other up and pushing each other to be the best they can be.

"It's because you care," Yaw said. "I care to help players be the best that they can be. In moments, players may be uncomfortable through being pushed to give everything they have. Yet, because of the investment that we are making in one another, there is an understanding that because we care for one another, we become inspired to give one another our best, on and off the court."

Yaw's commitment to servitude extends beyond the basketball court. He believes in building strong, supportive relationships with his players and creating a culture of trust and respect. He wants his players to know that he is there for them, both on and off the court.

"Really caring about the person and what's important to them," Yaw said. "On the court, we want to give 100 percent to the relationships we're building with each other. So, when we get on that court, we get to a place where we know and trust our teammates: in all circumstances."

CLAIRE'S STORY
Yaw's coaching career and life philosophy have been deeply impacted by his daughter, Claire. Her battle with cancer and her unwavering faith in the face of adversity have taught Yaw and his family invaluable lessons about resilience, character, and hope.

"She was leading all of us through her battle and continued to impact so many people beyond what we could fathom," Yaw said. "Affliction or suffering will create resilience, resiliency will build character, and character creates hope. Claire was doing that every day."

Claire's journey has inspired Yaw to embrace the challenges of life and coaching with faith and determination. He believes that God has a purpose for every hardship and that by reflecting His light and love, they can make a difference in the lives of others.

"We just felt like Claire's diagnosis was meant to be something bigger than an illness," Yaw said. "It's a large and worthy challenge to be faithful in all situations. That's likely the greatest lesson Claire taught us. We're trying to pay that forward as best we can."

A FAITHFUL JOURNEY
As Yaw embarks on his second stint at Northwestern College, he does so with a renewed sense of purpose and faith.

He is committed to creating a transformative experience for his players and making a difference in their lives.

He understands that success is not solely measured by wins and losses, but also by the impact on the lives of players.

"How that sustains itself is by not losing focus on what we are here to do in support of Northwestern's mission. Our basketball program seeks to live into that same mission of trying to create transformational experiences for players," Yaw added. "We want to chase excellence, and as we're chasing the right way, we believe we are honoring God."

Yaw's journey is a testament to the power of faith, resilience, and community. His return to Northwestern College is not just a homecoming; it's a continuation of a faithful journey that has already touched countless lives.

"I could not be more impressed with a group of young ladies on our team in the way they have embraced this transition," he commented. "They seek to grow in our they care about and serve one another. In doing so, their love for one another continues to grow. I couldn't be more excited for a group of people in the way that they're putting others ahead of themselves."

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