[d4cohn]

Doesn't it always start with recruiting?  Talent, culture, coaching...Stanford supplies the rest.

Great point. I will say there are, unlike in some other sports, strong academic schools that 
are either very accomplished in softball (UCLA) or are rising powers (Duke) or
are longer term winners (Northwestern), so Stanford has competition for elite student-athletes
(in both senses of the word). 

But strong coaching and a good culture allows for the other aspects of Stanford to work as you point out.

[d4cohn]

Doesn't it always start with recruiting?  Talent, culture, coaching...Stanford supplies the rest.

Great point. I will say there are, unlike in some other sports, strong academic schools that 
are either very accomplished in softball (UCLA) or are rising powers (Duke) or
are longer term winners (Northwestern), so Stanford has competition for elite student-athletes
(in both senses of the word). 

But strong coaching and a good culture allows for the other aspects of Stanford to work as you point out.