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Legendary Stanford women’s head basketball coach Tara VanDerveer is retiring after 38 seasons with the program, she announced Tuesday:
“Basketball is the greatest group project there is and I am so incredibly thankful for every person who has supported me and our teams throughout my coaching career. I’ve been spoiled to coach the best and brightest at one of the world’s foremost institutions for nearly four decades.
“Coupled with my time at Ohio State and Idaho, and as head coach of the United States National Team, it has been an unforgettable ride. The joy for me was in the journey of each season, seeing a group of young women work hard for each other and form an unbreakable bond. Winning was a byproduct. I’ve loved the game of basketball since I was a little girl, and it has given me so much throughout my life. I hope I’ve been able to give at least a little bit back.”
Kate Paye, VanDerveer’s longtime assistant coach, is negotiating a deal to take over the program. VanDerveer is the NCAA’s all-time leader in wins with 1,216.
In addition to her 38 years at Stanford, she spent two years coaching Idaho and five more at Ohio State. The Cardinal won three national championships and made 14 Final Four appearances under VanDerveer.
Only Geno Auriemma and Pat Summitt made more Final Fours than VanDerveer
Athletic director Bernard Muir said:
“Tara’s name is synonymous with the sport and women’s basketball would not be what it is today without her pioneering work. She has been devoted to this campus for 40 years and a servant to all the student-athletes who have come through her program.
“Tara built one of the sport’s iconic programs almost immediately upon her arrival at Stanford, and then maintained that standard for nearly four decades. An energetic and positive teacher, a Hall of Famer, a trusted friend and mentor, Tara’s impact is simply unmatched, and I don’t think it’s a stretch to characterize her as one of the most influential people to ever be associated with this university. We will look forward to finding the appropriate ways to honor her deep impact and legacy here at Stanford.”
VanDerveer will officially retire May 8 on the 39th anniversary of her hiring. She will remain with the school in an advisory capacity. A press conference is slated for Wednesday.
Paye played for VanDerveer from 1991 to 1995 and has been an assistant under her mentor for 17 seasons.
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