STANFORD, Calif. – Friday night could go down in history as a monumental milestone for Stanford Women’s Basketball Coach Tara VanDerveer. With just two more wins, VanDerveer will tie former Duke men’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski for the most wins as an NCAA basketball coach, regardless of gender.
VanDerveer, known for her modesty and team-oriented mindset, downplays the personal achievement and emphasizes that basketball is a team sport. It is the collective achievement of so many people, she said.
But there’s no denying the magnitude of this potential milestone. With 1,203 wins under her belt, VanDerveer has the opportunity to become the winningest coach in NCAA basketball history.
Throughout her career, VanDerveer has left an indelible mark on women’s sports and played a crucial role in the game’s ever-growing popularity. Her success hasn’t come without hard work and dedication. If you want to be really good at something, you have to work really hard at it and put a lot of time into it, she said.
VanDerveer’s passion for basketball dates back to her childhood when she fell in love with the sport. However, back then, opportunities for girls to play on organized teams were limited. Despite the challenges, her love for the game never wavered.
Over the past five decades, VanDerveer has built an impressive career, coaching at various institutions before finding her way to Stanford University. Under her guidance, Stanford’s women’s basketball program has seen unparalleled success.
As the PAC-12 basketball season approaches its end, VanDerveer deems this coaching milestone extra special. She expressed gratitude for being able to share it with her team during a year that will undoubtedly be memorable.
Stanford has two critical matchups on the horizon. On Friday, January 19, they will face Oregon, providing VanDerveer with an opportunity to tie Coach K’s record. Following that, they will take on Oregon State, where VanDerveer may have the chance to secure her 1,203rd all-time win.
The Stanford community and basketball enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await this historic moment. VanDerveer’s impact on the game and her relentless pursuit of greatness serve as inspiration to athletes and aspiring coaches everywhere.
As the legendary coach inches closer to etching her name in basketball history, she remains focused on the present moment. This year, our kind of theme is ‘best year ever.’ We just want to compete and have the best year we can have, she remarked.
Stay tuned as Tara VanDerveer’s unparalleled coaching career unfolds, marking a triumph for women’s sports and a testament to the power of dedication and hard work.
