The CardBoard

The WBB banquet has been cancelled. Let the speculation begin

(03-27-2026, 03:55 PM)BobK Wrote: [ -> ]The WBB banquet has been cancelled.  Let the speculation begin

Ugh. One can only assume the players didn't want to attend. I don't know what else it could be. Has this ever happened before?

(03-27-2026, 04:10 PM)BillBradley Wrote: [ -> ]

(03-27-2026, 03:55 PM)BobK Wrote: [ -> ]The WBB banquet has been cancelled.  Let the speculation begin

Ugh. One can only assume the players didn't want to attend. I don't know what else it could be. Has this ever happened before?

It hasn't happened in my time as a fan other than for COVID.

Here's the announcement:

Quote:Dear Friends of Stanford Women’s Basketball,

Thank you for all of your support throughout the season.

We wanted to share an update that given the evolving landscape in college athletics, we will not be hosting a banquet following the conclusion of our season as in years past. As with our other marquee programs in football and men’s basketball, this shift reflects the need to focus on the critical postseason period, a crucial time for us to strengthen and recalibrate as we prepare for next season. In the alternative, we look forward to placing a greater emphasis on exciting pre-season events next fall where you can connect directly with our extraordinary student-athletes in anticipation of the upcoming season.

Your support sustains the student‑athlete experience, competitive excellence, and the proud tradition of Stanford Women’s Basketball. Thank you for your continued support.

Go Card!

Stanford Women’s Basketball

Stanford Athletics

Do teams no longer do post-season banquets anymore due to the portal?  No celebration of the season with dedicated fans because much of the team is out the door.  Fan engagement has cratered in recently years.

I wasn't invited, but I haven't been since the 2023 debacle since that left such a terrible taste in my mouth.

But...yeah....

(03-27-2026, 04:23 PM)chimera Wrote: [ -> ]Do teams no longer do post-season banquets anymore due to the portal?  No celebration of the season with dedicated fans because much of the team is out the door.  Fan engagement has cratered in recently years.

The announcement seems poorly worded and misleading in that regard - not sure about MBB but FB still has post-season banquets

(03-27-2026, 04:23 PM)chimera Wrote: [ -> ]Do teams no longer do post-season banquets anymore due to the portal?  No celebration of the season with dedicated fans because much of the team is out the door.  Fan engagement has cratered in recently years.

IIRC, we also had only one Behind-the-Bench this season, too.

I thought football had their banquet this season? I'm also a football STM and I've been impressed with the fan engagement since Andrew came back.

There's been no apparent effort to encourage fans who actually have season tickets to show up. At least through this season, if you try to find tickets in the lower bowl it's not easy, unless you want the obstructed views behind the basket. Yet, for most games, the lower bowl is not even half-full. 

I don't recall so much as a letter or anything thanking me for being a STM in the last couple seasons, either. That doesn't take much.

I imagine the enthusiasm for doing a public post-season event took a big hit after Haley Jones ghosted the banquet in 2023. Remember the horrible awkwardness of the Oregon State post-season event after the massacre where there was basically no team left?

Note to Stanford: NIL contracts should require that you show up and acknowledge the fans at a post-season event unless you're already in the portal in which case you show up at the dunking machine fundraiser for Packard Children's.

(03-27-2026, 03:55 PM)BobK Wrote: [ -> ]The WBB banquet has been cancelled.  Let the speculation begin

Sigh. Here comes the transfer exodus.

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(03-27-2026, 04:23 PM)chimera Wrote: [ -> ]Do teams no longer do post-season banquets anymore due to the portal?  No celebration of the season with dedicated fans because much of the team is out the door.  Fan engagement has cratered in recently years.

Stanford volleyball post season banquets are well attended and wonderful events.

Does anyone have an updates on Lepolo's health situation? I wonder if that might be another reason - awkward all the way around with questions, absences, etc. Really sad way for her to go out after four years in a Cardinal uniform.

I understand Lepolo has a job waiting for her and will be looking at PHd programs. She did great

(03-27-2026, 06:06 PM)BobK Wrote: [ -> ]I understand Lepolo has a job waiting for her and will be looking at PHd programs.  She did great

Great to hear. Her total disappearance without explanation had me a little worried.

(03-27-2026, 04:14 PM)CompSci87 Wrote: [ -> ]

(03-27-2026, 04:10 PM)BillBradley Wrote: [ -> ]

(03-27-2026, 03:55 PM)BobK Wrote: [ -> ]The WBB banquet has been cancelled.  Let the speculation begin

Ugh. One can only assume the players didn't want to attend. I don't know what else it could be. Has this ever happened before?

It hasn't happened in my time as a fan other than for COVID.

Here's the announcement:

Quote:Dear Friends of Stanford Women’s Basketball,

Thank you for all of your support throughout the season.

We wanted to share an update that given the evolving landscape in college athletics, we will not be hosting a banquet following the conclusion of our season as in years past. As with our other marquee programs in football and men’s basketball, this shift reflects the need to focus on the critical postseason period, a crucial time for us to strengthen and recalibrate as we prepare for next season. In the alternative, we look forward to placing a greater emphasis on exciting pre-season events next fall where you can connect directly with our extraordinary student-athletes in anticipation of the upcoming season.

Your support sustains the student‑athlete experience, competitive excellence, and the proud tradition of Stanford Women’s Basketball. Thank you for your continued support.

Go Card!

Stanford Women’s Basketball

Stanford Athletics

uh...what exactly is critical about the post-season period? ostensibly full roster, too early for official visits...

I’d take this time to beg and plead with players to return. I know I did my part throughout the entire season when I got the opportunity to meet and talk to players. Let’s hope some of that worked. 

(03-27-2026, 08:07 PM)jonnyss Wrote: [ -> ]

(03-27-2026, 04:14 PM)CompSci87 Wrote: [ -> ]

(03-27-2026, 04:10 PM)BillBradley Wrote: [ -> ]

(03-27-2026, 03:55 PM)BobK Wrote: [ -> ]The WBB banquet has been cancelled.  Let the speculation begin

Ugh. One can only assume the players didn't want to attend. I don't know what else it could be. Has this ever happened before?

It hasn't happened in my time as a fan other than for COVID.

Here's the announcement:

Quote:Dear Friends of Stanford Women’s Basketball,

Thank you for all of your support throughout the season.

We wanted to share an update that given the evolving landscape in college athletics, we will not be hosting a banquet following the conclusion of our season as in years past. As with our other marquee programs in football and men’s basketball, this shift reflects the need to focus on the critical postseason period, a crucial time for us to strengthen and recalibrate as we prepare for next season. In the alternative, we look forward to placing a greater emphasis on exciting pre-season events next fall where you can connect directly with our extraordinary student-athletes in anticipation of the upcoming season.

Your support sustains the student‑athlete experience, competitive excellence, and the proud tradition of Stanford Women’s Basketball. Thank you for your continued support.

Go Card!

Stanford Women’s Basketball

Stanford Athletics

uh...what exactly is critical about the post-season period? ostensibly full roster, too early for official visits...

(03-27-2026, 08:07 PM)jonnyss Wrote: [ -> ]uh...what exactly is critical about the post-season period? ostensibly full roster, too early for official visits...

The portal opens on April 6.

BC

You can announce at any time that you are entering the portal
Lots going on right now stay tuned

(03-28-2026, 06:43 AM)BobK Wrote: [ -> ]You can announce at any time that you are entering the portal
Lots going on right now stay tuned

Well so far so good as far as Stanford players announcing they are entering the portal.

Gosh, I can’t take the anxiety… I hope we get some update like last season when it was announced everyone was staying and only Tess entered the portal. 

(03-28-2026, 06:43 AM)BobK Wrote: [ -> ]You can announce at any time that you are entering the portal
Lots going on right now stay tuned

(03-28-2026, 07:11 AM)petersalas Wrote: [ -> ]Gosh, I can’t take the anxiety… I hope we get some update like last season when it was announced everyone was staying and only Tess entered the portal. 

(03-28-2026, 06:43 AM)BobK Wrote: [ -> ]You can announce at any time that you are entering the portal
Lots going on right now stay tuned

Friend and I have each pledged $10 each to the ACLU for every player who stays. Would love to make this costly.

(03-27-2026, 04:10 PM)BillBradley Wrote: [ -> ]

(03-27-2026, 03:55 PM)BobK Wrote: [ -> ]The WBB banquet has been cancelled.  Let the speculation begin

Ugh. One can only assume the players didn't want to attend. I don't know what else it could be. Has this ever happened before?

Is Kate Paye getting fired or stepping down? That would be reason to cancel the banquet - NO coach!