5/21/2026

IRONWOOD - Gogebic Community College has selected Ward Helakoski, originally from White Pine, MI and currently of Bergland, Michigan, as the new head coach of the women’s basketball program. During his time coaching Michigan high school basketball programs at Crystal Falls, Bloomingdale, Mattawan, and Hancock, his teams earned seven district championships, two regional championships, and one state runner-up finish. Most recently, Helakoski served as an assistant coach for the Michigan Tech women’s basketball program.  At the collegiate level, he also served as head coach at the Community College of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His team qualified for two National Junior College Athletic Association (NCAA) tournaments and advanced to one Sweet Sixteen appearance.  Helakoski is the son of Hall of Fame basketball coach Ed Helakoski.