Schaafsma became the women's basketball coach for Long Beach State in 1962.
In all, Schaafsma coached the team for 17 seasons, beginning with play in the Southern California Women's Conference, then the Extramural Coordinating Council of Southern California Colleges, the Southern California Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, and finally the Western Collegiate Athletic Association.
Schaafsma's record at Long Beach was 209-73, including a final season mark in 1978-79 of 24-8.
Schaafsma never had a losing season at Long Beach; in fact, the 49ers first losing season did not come until 1992-93, 2 years after her successor, Joan Bonvicini, left for the University of Arizona.
Schaasfma was inducted into the Long Beach State Athletic Hall of Fame in 1986.