Updated April 11, 2024: Since this posting, Coach Tara Vanderveer has announced her retirement after 38 years with Stanford Women's Basketball. From all of us at 318 Foundation, best of luck on your retirement!
March Madness has captivated the nation, with the recent Iowa vs LSU game becoming the most-watched women's college basketball game in history. Tournament season is electrifying, where dreams are forged and legacies are made. But the growth of the sport is due to more than one game and one tournament—it is a collection of all the combined efforts of coaches, athletes, and university staff that have dedicated their lives to the game. One name that stands out as a beacon of coaching excellence and record-breaking tenacity is none other than Tara VanDerveer.
Tara VanDerveer is one of the most successful coaches in the history of women's college basketball, officially becoming the most Winningest Coach in both men’s and women’s NCAA Division I basketball as of January 2024. Head coach of the Stanford Cardinal women's basketball team since 1985, VanDerveer has led the Stanford Cardinal to multiple NCAA Championships with her most recent win in 2021.
VanDerveer has also had success coaching at the international level. She led the U.S. women's basketball team to a gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
All of these achievements underscore Vanderveer’s longevity and sustained success as a coach. VanDerveer's impact on women's college basketball is easily felt, not only through her team's successes but also through her influence on players and the broader sport. She is widely respected for her coaching acumen and her commitment to the development of players both on and off the court.
The Associated Press shared this from UNLV Coach Lindy La Rocque earlier this year,
“Just about everything I know and who I am from a basketball standpoint is probably 90% credited to Tara just as a player as a colleague and coach. You know just a remarkable human first off and then a great basketball coach and you can’t discredit any of the numbers. I think I played in 600 or 700 and then was coaching with her for some other benchmarks. She means the world to me and I don’t know if there’s anyone besides my parents who have impacted my life more.”
These are the types of mentor/mentee relationships we aim to cultivate through 318 Foundation. In historically underserved communities, young girls face a significant opportunity gap due to complex social, economic, and educational challenges, creating formidable barriers to their success.
It is because of this that we developed our three central programs, 318 VISION, 318 ACTION, and 318 SPORTS.
Sports can be fundamental to the growth and development of a young woman. And exceptionally talented athletes who may lack exposure or the necessary support are at a disadvantage. Our mission is to create transformative elite training experiences that not only enhance their athletic abilities but also focus on personal growth and empowerment.
It is our goal to have girls from historically underserved communities have the access and opportunity to find coaches and mentors like Tara Vanderveer so that they too can grow into the best version of themselves.
As always, we take inspiration from these great stories and use them to help guide the next generation. Join us in the journey towards excellence with 318 SPORTS.
Subscribe to our newsletter today and follow as we highlight other notable examples of excellent leadership and mentorship in collegiate sports throughout March Madness: https://www.318foundation.org/
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