And nobody fits more in this category of recognition than Tara VanDervere. The second-winningest coach in NCAA basketball history, Tara VanDerveer cemented herself as one of the top coaches in the sport, both collegiately and internationally, and is a member of both the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2011) and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (2002).

Tara VanDerveer was recently honored by the Commonwealth Club World Affairs of CA with the prestigious “Distinguished Citizen Award – “Catalysts of Change” at the sold out to capacity Celebration Gala of “Who’s Who” in The Bay Area.

“The Commonwealth Club was honored to present our 2024 Distinguished Citizen Award to legendary basketball coach Tara VanDerveer, who has provided unique and extraordinary leadership advancing women to great success in college and Olympic athletics.” – Dr. Gloria Duffy, Co-President and Co-CEO, Commonwealth Club World Affairs of California

An ambassador for both Stanford University and the sport of college basketball, VanDerveer enjoyed an unprecedented level of success through an energetic and positive approach to the game. A five-time national coach of the year (1988, 1989, 1990, 2011, 2021) and 18-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year, VanDerveer, who prior to coming to Stanford served as head coach for a combined seven seasons at Idaho (1978-80) and Ohio State (1980-85), accumulated an impressive 1,216-271 (.818) record in her 45 years as a collegiate head coach and a 1,064-220 (.829) record over 38 seasons at Stanford.

VanDerveer won her 1,000 th career game on Feb. 3, 2017, passed Pat Summitt (1,098) to become the then-winningest coach in women’s college basketball history on Dec. 15, 2020, and surpassed Mike Krzyzewski (1,202) to become the then-winningest coach in NCAA basketball history on Jan. 21, 2024. VanDerveer led her Stanford teams to three NCAA Championships (1990, 1992, 2021), one of four coaches in the history of the sport to win three titles. She also guided Idaho to one AIAW Tournament appearance and Ohio State to a pair of NCAA Tournaments while twice being named Big Ten Coach of the Year.

Perhaps one of VanDerveer’s most notable attributes was her ability to connect with student-athletes and adapt to the ever-changing landscape of college athletics. Considered one of the nation’s premier recruiters, VanDerveer and her staff routinely brought top classes to The Farm (better known as Stanford.):  Cameron Brink (2022-24), Haley Jones (2022), Kiana Williams (2021), Alanna Smith (2019), Chiney Ogwumike (2012, 2013, 2014), Nneka Ogwumike (2010, 2011, 2012), Jeanette Pohlen (2011), Jayne Appel (2009, 2010), Wiggins (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008), the program’s only four-time All-American to date, Nicole Powell (2002, 2003, 2004), Kristin Folkl (1998), Starbird (1996, 1997), Val Whiting (1992, 1993), Sonja Henning (1991) and Azzi (1989, 1990).

In 1995-96 VanDerveer served as head coach of the USA Basketball National Team, leading the team to a 52-0 exhibition record and then to the Olympic gold medal with a perfect 8-0 run at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

VanDerveer is a 1975 graduate of Indiana University, where she was a dean’s list scholar for three years and a sociology major. While at Indiana, VanDerveer held one of the starting guard positions for three years on the women’s basketball team. For her efforts at Indiana and her accomplishments after leaving the Hoosiers, VanDerveer was inducted into the Indiana University Hall of Fame in 1995.

Upon her retirement in April 9, 2024 or as I call it “a graduation” VanDerveer accounted for 1,064 of Stanford’s 1,240 total victories since its first varsity season in 1975 (85.8 percent).

Overall, VanDerveer  guided her players to two Wade Trophy Player of the Year honors, two Naismith Player of the Year honors, a WBCA Defensive Player of the Year and Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, 38 first-team All-America honors (WBCA and Associated Press), 20 Pac-12 Player of the Year awards, 88 first team All-Pac-12 selections and nearly 40 appointments to USA Basketball teams.

Many of those players went on to have success at the professional level. During VanDerveer’s tenure, Stanford had 34 players play in a regular-season WNBA game. Her program also boasted 15 first-round draft picks out of its 31 all-time selections, including 2016 WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike, and had seven players win a total of eight WNBA titles.

In 1995-96 VanDerveer served as head coach of the USA Basketball National Team, leading the team to a 52-0 exhibition record and then to the Olympic gold medal with a perfect 8-0 run at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

VanDerveer is a 1975 graduate of Indiana University, where she was a dean’s list scholar for three years and a sociology major. While at Indiana, VanDerveer held one of the starting guard positions for three years on the women’s basketball team. For her efforts at Indiana and her accomplishments after leaving the Hoosiers, VanDerveer was inducted into the Indiana University Hall of Fame in 1995.

An avid piano player in her spare time, VanDerveer was born June 26, 1953. A Boston native who grew up in upstate New York, she is also a published author. Her book Shooting From The Outside, which chronicled her 1996 Olympic and National Team experience, was released in September 1997.

Q: When did you know you wanted to be a Basketball Coach?

A: After coaching my sister’s HS team. I really enjoyed it and decided to give it a try. It has worked out very well!

Q: Who was your mentor? And how important is it to have or be a mentor?

A: My parents and I had some very special teachers growing up.

Q: Why Stanford?

A: I saw Stanford as the ultimate challenge.  It is the combination of elite academics and I wanted us to have an elite basketball team too.  I knew if as a coach our team could win at Stanford that I would grow as a coach.

Q: Your favorite restaurant(s) around Stanford?

A: Nobu, Tamerine, Il Fornaio, Roma, Sundance, Flemings, True Food Kitchen, Tender Greens . I am not a very good cook!

Q: Do you have pets?

A: I have had 7 dogs – 3 together was the most.  I have one 10 year old  Red Lab named Piper now.

Q: Did you ever coach the United States Olympic Team?  (If yes:  when,  where, results?) and will you be coaching the Olympic Team USA  at the 2028(?) Olympic Team in LA?

A: I coached the 1996 Gold Medal Olympic Team in Atlanta. No, I will not coach in LA.

Q: Favorite place to vacation and R&R?

A:  Chautauqua, NY and Northern Minnesota!!! I have enjoyed traveling all over the world and I especially liked Croatia, Italy, China, France and Botswana. I am taking a trip to Japan this year!

Q: Do you enjoy teaching basketball class at Stanford? Any famous students & coaches in your class?

A: I am excited about teaching this winter and the class is packed with famous people in person and on Zoom….

Stanford University is well known all over the world! It is a magnet for the brightest, the most brilliant and outstanding students, amazing professors,  Nobel Prize Laureates and the graduates who became the leaders in the world of science, medicine, research and who established and opened the gates of Silicon Valley to the world.

But there is only one Tara VanDerveer!

Photos courtesy of Stanford Athletic Department.

By Lina Broydo