[2006alum]

Great NYT business section article on Tara and her enduring success. A few highlights for those who get paywalled:

Your own rules for leading a winning team?
Hire right. As my dad said, “You can’t win the Kentucky Derby on a donkey.” And not just players but staff. Be sure they complement you more than compliment you. . . .

Every behavior is communication — not just words but also eye contact and body language.

Know that if your senior leaders are unhappy, your whole team will be. . . .

We draw inspiration from those who play (and work) for us. Tell us about some players who inspired you.
Angela Taylor was on the national title-winning team with two all-American guards so she almost never got to play. I asked her about her role. She said, “to spread sunshine.”

Jennifer Azzi was on my national team boarding the bus at 3:30 a.m. on a frigid night in Ukraine when we passed a group of struggling women in thin coats. She went outside the bus and opened her wallet and suitcase for them. Her teammates followed her.

Jayne Appel played her final game at Stanford on a broken foot and after the game didn’t want to take her uniform off — she so loved playing.

Jamila Wideman told her teammates to pick their heads up after we were upset by Old Dominion in the semifinals, and they were lying on the floor crying. I couldn’t get their attention but Jamila got them to rise with: “I’d rather lose with you than win with anyone else.”

[2006alum]

Great NYT business section article on Tara and her enduring success. A few highlights for those who get paywalled:

Your own rules for leading a winning team?
Hire right. As my dad said, “You can’t win the Kentucky Derby on a donkey.” And not just players but staff. Be sure they complement you more than compliment you. . . .

Every behavior is communication — not just words but also eye contact and body language.

Know that if your senior leaders are unhappy, your whole team will be. . . .

We draw inspiration from those who play (and work) for us. Tell us about some players who inspired you.
Angela Taylor was on the national title-winning team with two all-American guards so she almost never got to play. I asked her about her role. She said, “to spread sunshine.”

Jennifer Azzi was on my national team boarding the bus at 3:30 a.m. on a frigid night in Ukraine when we passed a group of struggling women in thin coats. She went outside the bus and opened her wallet and suitcase for them. Her teammates followed her.

Jayne Appel played her final game at Stanford on a broken foot and after the game didn’t want to take her uniform off — she so loved playing.

Jamila Wideman told her teammates to pick their heads up after we were upset by Old Dominion in the semifinals, and they were lying on the floor crying. I couldn’t get their attention but Jamila got them to rise with: “I’d rather lose with you than win with anyone else.”

[BobK]

Outstanding. Thanks for posting

[BobK]

Outstanding. Thanks for posting

[TonyLima]

Let me know if this is paywalled.

[TonyLima]

Let me know if this is paywalled.

[TonyLima]

Outstanding. Thanks for posting

Full article linked on another thread. above.

[TonyLima]

Outstanding. Thanks for posting

Full article linked on another thread. above.

[81alum]

Let me thank Cardboarder freddot5 for pointing out this NYT article to me.  There is a chance that Tara will have more wins than any other men's or women's basketball coach ever--next weekend.  She is one short of tying the record, two short of breaking it.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/14/busin...=url-share

It is a remarkable achievement that will probably never be repeated, given how much shorter head coaching careers are now than they used to be.  Geno is a few games behind and could equal or exceed this. 

But a nice piece about a remarkable woman.

[81alum]

Let me thank Cardboarder freddot5 for pointing out this NYT article to me.  There is a chance that Tara will have more wins than any other men's or women's basketball coach ever--next weekend.  She is one short of tying the record, two short of breaking it.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/14/busin...=url-share

It is a remarkable achievement that will probably never be repeated, given how much shorter head coaching careers are now than they used to be.  Geno is a few games behind and could equal or exceed this. 

But a nice piece about a remarkable woman.

[WBB fan]

Might be worthwhile to change title of this thread, shift to simply, "Tara" -- given the more and more articles coming out. There's a really nice one in current "The Athletic"  -- 

https://theathletic.com/5204886/2024/01/...r-moments/

[WBB fan]

Might be worthwhile to change title of this thread, shift to simply, "Tara" -- given the more and more articles coming out. There's a really nice one in current "The Athletic"  -- 

https://theathletic.com/5204886/2024/01/...r-moments/

[Nan3cy]

"Be sure they complement you more than compliment you." Brilliant.

[Nan3cy]

"Be sure they complement you more than compliment you." Brilliant.

[TonyLima]

Outstanding. Thanks for posting

Full article linked on another thread. above.

Thanks for combining the two threads and gently editing my post.

[TonyLima]

Outstanding. Thanks for posting

Full article linked on another thread. above.

Thanks for combining the two threads and gently editing my post.

[WBB fan]

Another in what's going to be a flood of articles about Tara, this one in yesterday's The Next, by Michelle Smith. It's focused mostly on Tara as a mentor to her players, helping them develop as people as much as basketball players. I really liked the tone of this what her former players, including those currently Stanford assistants, have to say. Title of article, "The Singular figure that is Tara VanDerveer" says a lot in itself.

https://www.thenexthoops.com/features/ta...rzyzewski/

[WBB fan]

Another in what's going to be a flood of articles about Tara, this one in yesterday's The Next, by Michelle Smith. It's focused mostly on Tara as a mentor to her players, helping them develop as people as much as basketball players. I really liked the tone of this what her former players, including those currently Stanford assistants, have to say. Title of article, "The Singular figure that is Tara VanDerveer" says a lot in itself.

https://www.thenexthoops.com/features/ta...rzyzewski/

[WBB fan]

And another article in The Athletic, about Tara's first days as a coach of the Ohio State JV team.

https://theathletic.com/5209898/2024/01/...record-jv/

[WBB fan]

And another article in The Athletic, about Tara's first days as a coach of the Ohio State JV team.

https://theathletic.com/5209898/2024/01/...record-jv/

[WBB fan]

Thanks for changing the thread title!

And that said, here's another, from today's The Athletic -- very nice about Tara as a person and approach to life generally. Love the images of her being inspired by redwoods.

https://theathletic.com/5212269/2024/01/...rd-record/

[WBB fan]

Thanks for changing the thread title!

And that said, here's another, from today's The Athletic -- very nice about Tara as a person and approach to life generally. Love the images of her being inspired by redwoods.

https://theathletic.com/5212269/2024/01/...rd-record/

[crackpot]

Sherrod broke Tara's rib!!

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nc...264778007/

Finally someone points out the cost of the 95-96 year:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/20...ins-record

Both probably paywalled.

[crackpot]

Sherrod broke Tara's rib!!

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nc...264778007/

Finally someone points out the cost of the 95-96 year:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/20...ins-record

Both probably paywalled.

[WBB fan]

Sherrod broke Tara's rib!!

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nc...264778007/

Finally someone points out the cost of the 95-96 year:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/20...ins-record

Both probably paywalled.

Thanks for posting. Not paywalled. I like both articles, but too bad WaPo got confused between Azzi and Steding. Azzi was national player of year in 1989-90, not Steding, but it was Steding who had the 6 threes in the 1990 national final.

Tara has seen, experienced, so much change in the game over her decades as a head coach. A really different world today. We were among the few Card fans who made the trek to Knoxville in 1990, what a different feeling than today's final fours. Paul Cardoza organized a Stanford tour group to the game, and we went with him. Not many others went. Very limited media there, though one Bay Area tv station sent a reporter.. We made a point of thanking him for being there. And after the game, the players were hanging out in the halls under the stands and talking to anyone who walked by. It was a very personal experience, one that made us as fans feel very much a part of the team and their success.

[WBB fan]

Sherrod broke Tara's rib!!

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nc...264778007/

Finally someone points out the cost of the 95-96 year:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/20...ins-record

Both probably paywalled.

Thanks for posting. Not paywalled. I like both articles, but too bad WaPo got confused between Azzi and Steding. Azzi was national player of year in 1989-90, not Steding, but it was Steding who had the 6 threes in the 1990 national final.

Tara has seen, experienced, so much change in the game over her decades as a head coach. A really different world today. We were among the few Card fans who made the trek to Knoxville in 1990, what a different feeling than today's final fours. Paul Cardoza organized a Stanford tour group to the game, and we went with him. Not many others went. Very limited media there, though one Bay Area tv station sent a reporter.. We made a point of thanking him for being there. And after the game, the players were hanging out in the halls under the stands and talking to anyone who walked by. It was a very personal experience, one that made us as fans feel very much a part of the team and their success.

[martyup]

Sherrod broke Tara's rib!!

Maybe Kiki and Cam shouldn't have picked her up in bear hugs tonight after our win against OR.

[martyup]

Sherrod broke Tara's rib!!

Maybe Kiki and Cam shouldn't have picked her up in bear hugs tonight after our win against OR.

[crackpot]

Sherrod broke Tara's rib!!

Maybe Kiki and Cam shouldn't have picked her up in bear hugs tonight after our win against OR.

It looked like Tara said, "Put me down!"

One other thing that probably didn't make the broadcast but picked up by those behind the bench--after Lepolo hit that first three, she looked over at Tara with what appeared to be pure joy.

[crackpot]

Sherrod broke Tara's rib!!

Maybe Kiki and Cam shouldn't have picked her up in bear hugs tonight after our win against OR.

It looked like Tara said, "Put me down!"

One other thing that probably didn't make the broadcast but picked up by those behind the bench--after Lepolo hit that first three, she looked over at Tara with what appeared to be pure joy.

[crackpot]

Wow. I'm just speechless. Can't even let Tara have the weekend.

https://twitter.com/SNYUConn/status/1748819915455242527

What has Geno done for any basketball program besides his own?

[crackpot]

Wow. I'm just speechless. Can't even let Tara have the weekend.

https://twitter.com/SNYUConn/status/1748819915455242527

What has Geno done for any basketball program besides his own?

[81alum]

I will put my comments about Tara's record setting victory here; more particularly, the post-game celebration.

Ros hosted, Jennifer Azzi and Chiney were interviewed, and many touching and heartfelt stories emerged.  The video tributes, including from Coach K and Billie Jean King, stressed her ethics and not just her wins.  I rather liked the 1203 lights that were passed to the audience to wave during the tribute.  I was shocked that Lindy LaRoque made it to the game given her own coaching obligations.  While I do think the tribute went on too long, most of the crowd stayed for it, and Tara seemed choked up and genuinely moved.

I feel privileged to be there if only as a witness to this historic milestone.  I agree with Chiney that this was about more than sports history--it was history history.  Tara and her program symbolize all that is genuinely good about Title IX and the development of a dimension of women that was previously shut off.  Having such high standards of excellence and such high standards of ethics both at the same time is what distinguishes her form other sports legends.  Her humility and humor also go a long way to making her an easy person to like--as a fan.

[81alum]

I will put my comments about Tara's record setting victory here; more particularly, the post-game celebration.

Ros hosted, Jennifer Azzi and Chiney were interviewed, and many touching and heartfelt stories emerged.  The video tributes, including from Coach K and Billie Jean King, stressed her ethics and not just her wins.  I rather liked the 1203 lights that were passed to the audience to wave during the tribute.  I was shocked that Lindy LaRoque made it to the game given her own coaching obligations.  While I do think the tribute went on too long, most of the crowd stayed for it, and Tara seemed choked up and genuinely moved.

I feel privileged to be there if only as a witness to this historic milestone.  I agree with Chiney that this was about more than sports history--it was history history.  Tara and her program symbolize all that is genuinely good about Title IX and the development of a dimension of women that was previously shut off.  Having such high standards of excellence and such high standards of ethics both at the same time is what distinguishes her form other sports legends.  Her humility and humor also go a long way to making her an easy person to like--as a fan.

[WBB fan]

I will put my comments about Tara's record setting victory here; more particularly, the post-game celebration.

Ros hosted, Jennifer Azzi and Chiney were interviewed, and many touching and heartfelt stories emerged.  The video tributes, including from Coach K and Billie Jean King, stressed her ethics and not just her wins.  I rather liked the 1203 lights that were passed to the audience to wave during the tribute.  I was shocked that Lindy LaRoque made it to the game given her own coaching obligations.  While I do think the tribute went on too long, most of the crowd stayed for it, and Tara seemed choked up and genuinely moved.

I feel privileged to be there if only as a witness to this historic milestone.  I agree with Chiney that this was about more than sports history--it was history history.  Tara and her program symbolize all that is genuinely good about Title IX and the development of a dimension of women that was previously shut off.  Having such high standards of excellence and such high standards of ethics both at the same time is what distinguishes her form other sports legends.  Her humility and humor also go a long way to making her an easy person to like--as a fan.

So well said. Thanks. What has struck me over and over in the articles I've been reading and the comments today is the sense that the players felt they learned not only about basketball from her, but also about how to live a good and worthwhile life -- that she cared as much about them as people as about them as players, though it was something that they only came to understand as they moved on in their years at Stanford and after. Also, that she was always about the team, not the individual.

[WBB fan]

I will put my comments about Tara's record setting victory here; more particularly, the post-game celebration.

Ros hosted, Jennifer Azzi and Chiney were interviewed, and many touching and heartfelt stories emerged.  The video tributes, including from Coach K and Billie Jean King, stressed her ethics and not just her wins.  I rather liked the 1203 lights that were passed to the audience to wave during the tribute.  I was shocked that Lindy LaRoque made it to the game given her own coaching obligations.  While I do think the tribute went on too long, most of the crowd stayed for it, and Tara seemed choked up and genuinely moved.

I feel privileged to be there if only as a witness to this historic milestone.  I agree with Chiney that this was about more than sports history--it was history history.  Tara and her program symbolize all that is genuinely good about Title IX and the development of a dimension of women that was previously shut off.  Having such high standards of excellence and such high standards of ethics both at the same time is what distinguishes her form other sports legends.  Her humility and humor also go a long way to making her an easy person to like--as a fan.

So well said. Thanks. What has struck me over and over in the articles I've been reading and the comments today is the sense that the players felt they learned not only about basketball from her, but also about how to live a good and worthwhile life -- that she cared as much about them as people as about them as players, though it was something that they only came to understand as they moved on in their years at Stanford and after. Also, that she was always about the team, not the individual.

[Card10Fan]

Per the ESPN article, Tara is in the 2nd year of a 4 year contract. It wouldn't surprise me if that is extended. It doesn't sound like retirement is iminent at this point. She loves what she does so why not keep it going. 

https://www.espn.com/womens-college-bask...areer-wins

[Card10Fan]

Per the ESPN article, Tara is in the 2nd year of a 4 year contract. It wouldn't surprise me if that is extended. It doesn't sound like retirement is iminent at this point. She loves what she does so why not keep it going. 

https://www.espn.com/womens-college-bask...areer-wins

[Hoops9092]

I know Tara mentioned some of her favorite, most memorable games at Maples. 

For me, having followed the team since the 2004 season, these great wins come to mind: 

- Finally beating Tennessee at home in Candice Wiggins' senior year, just the before the holidays and in overtime. It was such an incredible atmosphere, Jayne Appel going up against Candace Parker, Stanford coming from behind in the second half only to have Tennessee make a few clutch stops and buckets (and Stanford misses at the FT line) to erase a 4 pt lead in the final seconds. We win in OT behind Ros' big shots and free-throws. I think this was December 2007. If anyone has this game, they should upload it to the classics. 

- How about the Cal/Stanford top 5-10 showdowns that followed in the next few years, I think it was Jayne Appel's junior or senior year on Valentine's Day. Just a dominant Stanford win over Cal, both were ranked high. 

- As Tara mentioned, ending UConn's streak at the end of 2010, with a team lead by Nneka, Jeanette, Kayla, Chiney. That may have been the best Stanford team I saw in the last 20 years. (Darn Texas A&M). 

- Nneka's 42 pt performance as a senior in the win over Tennessee, with Pat Summit praising her in the postgame. 

- Amber Orrange's big shot game to come from behind and beat UConn on ESPN.

[Hoops9092]

I know Tara mentioned some of her favorite, most memorable games at Maples. 

For me, having followed the team since the 2004 season, these great wins come to mind: 

- Finally beating Tennessee at home in Candice Wiggins' senior year, just the before the holidays and in overtime. It was such an incredible atmosphere, Jayne Appel going up against Candace Parker, Stanford coming from behind in the second half only to have Tennessee make a few clutch stops and buckets (and Stanford misses at the FT line) to erase a 4 pt lead in the final seconds. We win in OT behind Ros' big shots and free-throws. I think this was December 2007. If anyone has this game, they should upload it to the classics. 

- How about the Cal/Stanford top 5-10 showdowns that followed in the next few years, I think it was Jayne Appel's junior or senior year on Valentine's Day. Just a dominant Stanford win over Cal, both were ranked high. 

- As Tara mentioned, ending UConn's streak at the end of 2010, with a team lead by Nneka, Jeanette, Kayla, Chiney. That may have been the best Stanford team I saw in the last 20 years. (Darn Texas A&M). 

- Nneka's 42 pt performance as a senior in the win over Tennessee, with Pat Summit praising her in the postgame. 

- Amber Orrange's big shot game to come from behind and beat UConn on ESPN.