On December 22, 2010, Karen Welliver became one of only two coaches in California Community College women’s basketball history to win her 600th career game. A 58-57 South Coast Conference win at Pasadena City College moved Welliver into the elite 600-win club with Ventura College head coach Ned Mircetic. Now entering her 33rd season, Welliver has put together a career 666-339 (.663) record and trails Mircetic, who has 712 all-time wins. Back in 2009, Welliver held the record for most career wins, but Mircetic passed her the following season. Welliver became the state’s leader in career wins back on January 21, 2009 with a 54-51 overtime win against El Camino College with her 564th win. At that time, she passed Tom Martinez, who won 563 games at San Mateo College. Over the course of her career with the Falcons, Welliver has led her teams to 11 South Coast Conference championships and seven trips to the State Tournament.

Welliver and the Falcons posted a 16-12 record on the year, which included advancing to the Southern California Regional Playoffs. Welliver and her teams have reached the post season in 21 of the last 22 seasons and 28 of the last 30 years. In 22 of the last 26 years, the Falcons have either won the conference championship or finished in second place, including the 2013-14 season, where they were one win away from sharing the title.

It was back on December 27, 2005 that Welliver found herself in an elite group, as one of only five coaches to ever eclipse the 500-win barrier when her team defeated San Mateo College, 75-51 at the Fullerton Tournament. The Falcons finished with a 21-13 record last year, while Welliver was selected the South Coast Conference South Division Coach of the Year.

Welliver welcomed back Nicole Hyde in 2013 to her coaching staff after Trisha Raniewicz was hired as an assistant coach at Pepperdine University. After playing for Welliver from 2001-02, Hyde was a member of the coaching staff during the 2003-04 season. This year, Dean Ackland, who has a long history with Cerritos and served as an assistant coach with Welliver almost 10 years ago, returns to the staff. Throughout her career, Welliver has done a remarkable job of maintaining a level of success with the Falcons and her teams have earned a great deal of respect with their hard work and dedication. Whether it be a predominantly freshmen laden team, or an experienced one, Over one six-year period, the Falcons completed each season with less than 10 losses, while Welliver has been honored by being named the SCC Coach of the Year on five occasions. Additionally, Welliver has twice been named the State Coach of the Year for the south.

After serving as Jeanine Prindle's assistant coach for three seasons, Welliver took over the helm and has instilled a winning tradition that residents in the community had never experienced before from the women's program. Excellent recruiting combined with the teaching knowledge of Welliver, make the Falcons very competitive in their quest to return to the State Championships.

Welliver began her coaching career at Magnolia High School in Anaheim, where she coached the girls’ basketball team for three years and the volleyball team for six years. Her volleyball team captured one league championship. Welliver played two years of basketball at Cal State Long Beach, where she squared off against three future Hall of Fame selections. She also lettered in basketball for three years in high school, and also played volleyball for two seasons and track for three years. She was honored as her high school team’s Most Valuable Player in both basketball and volleyball.

Karen is married to Bill Welliver, the brother of former Cerritos College volleyball coach Nancy Welliver and they reside in Anaheim. Welliver earned her Bachelor's and Master's Degree at Cal State Long Beach.