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Legendary Basketball Coach Tara VanDerveer Retires
Tara VanDerveer, the NCAA’s winningest basketball coach with an impressive 1,216 victories, has announced her retirement, Stanford revealed on Tuesday evening. Negotiations are currently in progress for Kate Paye, a former player under VanDerveer and a long-time member of her coaching staff, to take over as her successor.
VanDerveer, 70, has had a remarkable career as one of the most distinguished coaches in the sport, securing three national championships during her 38 seasons at Stanford and leading the Cardinal to an impressive 14 Final Fours. Prior to her tenure at Stanford, she also coached at Idaho from 1978 to 1980 and Ohio State from 1980 to 1985.
In a statement, VanDerveer expressed her deep gratitude, saying, “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. Winning was a byproduct.” She also mentioned her love for the game since childhood and the joy it has brought her throughout her life.
Despite her retirement, VanDerveer will remain involved with Stanford and its athletics department in an advisory role, according to the school. Stanford’s athletic director, Bernard Muir, lauded VanDerveer’s immense contributions to the university and the sport of women’s basketball, emphasizing her pioneering work and dedication to the campus and its student-athletes.
Muir described VanDerveer as an “energetic and positive teacher, a Hall of Famer, a trusted friend and mentor,” highlighting her unparalleled impact and legacy at Stanford. He expressed the university’s commitment to honoring her significant contributions in appropriate ways.
The retirement of Tara VanDerveer marks the end of an era in women’s college basketball and highlights her enduring legacy as one of the most influential figures in the sport’s history. Her indelible mark on Stanford and the broader basketball community will be remembered and celebrated for years to come.
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