Bethel University (Ind)

AJ Whitehead, the NorthWood High School product, transferred to Bethel for the 1998-99 season after spending her freshman season at Western Michigan University. AJ's first year in the Lady Pilot uniform was also the first year the Bethel Hall of Famer Jody Martinez took over as head coach for the Women's Basketball program.

In AJ's first year she led the Lady Pilots into the NCCAA National Tournament where the team placed 3rd. The following year she led the team back to the National Tournament and this time Bethel took home the grand prize. AJ was named MVP for the 2000 tournament. Entering the 2000-01 season, expectations were high after coming off an NCCAA National Championship and AJ and the Lady Pilots didn't disappoint.

For the first time in the program's history, the Bethel women captured the MCC regular season title and was granted an at-large berth to the NAIA National Tournament. AJ was named MCC Player of the Year and named to the NAIA All-American second team. AJ left her mark on the Lady Pilots record book even though her Bethel career was 3 short years.
 

• NCCAA All-American '99, '00, '01
• NCCAA All-Tournament Team '99, '00
• NCCAA National Tournament MVP '00
• NCCAA National Champions '00
• MCC Champions '01
• All-MCC Team '99, '00, '01
• MCC Player of the Year '01
• NAIA All-American (2nd Team) '01 (HM) '00
• NAIA Elite 8 - '01
• NCCAA North Central All-Region Team '99, '00, '01
• Upon Graduation: finished 1st in Career Field Goal % (50.1%)

 
Since graduation, AJ has continued to stay a part of the game by playing in Europe and working with several college programs. In the 2008-09 season AJ came back to Bethel to once again team up with Coach Martinez to develop the young women in the Lady Pilot Program. In 2009-10 season AJ worked with the Texas A&M Women's Basketball Team focusing on strength and conditioning. (This was just one season before the Lady Aggies defeated Notre Dame in the NCAA Women's National Championship Game). Making yet another move, AJ took a position as the Director of Basketball Operations at the University of Green Bay-Wisconsin for the 2010-11 season. Feeling a calling back overseas AJ worked overseas as a strength and conditioning specialist in several basketball clubs in Europe.