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Michelle VoepelESPN.com
Tara Vanderweir thought about her parents, her past and present players and her fellow coaching legends of which she passed milestones.
Stanford’s 104-61 victory over the Pacific on Tuesday was Wendweir’s 1,099th career victory, giving him the most wins in Division 1 women’s college basketball history.
She was then handed a game ball and then given a new jacket featuring the nickname “T-Dog” by the players celebrating her.
“It’s just been a great trip,” Wonderweer said. “I really hope Pete Summit looks down and says, ‘Good job, Tara. Keep it up.’ I loved coaching against the belly, and we missed it. “
Wendweir passed the summit late, whose career in Tennessee ended prematurely in 2012 after being diagnosed with early-onset dementia of Alzheimer’s. Summit, who won 1,098 careers, died in 2016.
Wendweer, 67, began his college-led coaching career in Idaho in 1978 and took over at Stanford in 1985, where he won 947. She has won two NCAA titles, advanced to 11 other final fours, won or shared 23 Pack-12 regular-season titles and has won 13 of 19 league tournaments.
He has coached some of the greatest players in the game. They include Jennifer Ezzie, who led the Cardinals to their first NCAA title in 1990, four-time All-American Candice Wiggins, Neneka and Chinese Ogwamike, and started this year 5-0 and is considered a strong finalist. Four contenders.
Despite Stanford being undefeated, he had his challenges this season. Due to the COVID-19 protocol in Santa Clara County that banned indoor activities, including sports, Stanford had to relocate to Las Vegas for practice and to play two of his games so far. Sunday’s record-breaking win came against Berkeley yesterday. Tuesday’s win was in Stockton, California, which had no fans.
But there were congratulatory video messages to Van Derwer of famous Stanford alumni like Condoleezza Rice and John Alway and fellow female players of tennis legend Billy Jean King.
“For a voice from her … I mean I have to pinch myself,” VanDavir said of King. “I am delighted to be part of the growth of the Women’s Basketball of Lonely and support the Women’s Sports Foundation and the Legacy Fund to help encourage women in coaching.”
Another reason Vanderweir brought to his postgame video conference call is hunger; She said that with the good fortune she is experiencing, she is well aware that many are now suffering. She is donating $ 10 to the local food bank for each of her 1,099 victories.
Gratitude is one of the primary feelings that OneDavir experiences while walking up to this record. She has heard from many teammates and former players. His current team is grateful to be the one who helped him reach this goal.
“Our first phone call was K, L, I remember how nervous I was,” said Kiana Williams, a Stanford senior in the recruitment process. “” I was sitting upstairs and downstairs in my hall. My dad used to tell me to sit down. I’m like, ‘I’m talking to your Vand Veer.’
A native of the East Coast, who went to Indiana’s College Lodge and watched Bob Knight practice, Vanderweir made a cardinal at the West Coast Taj Ratna program. He has won 81.3% of his games, losing just 253. In Pack-12 play, Wonderveer is 512-82 (86.2%). She would have achieved this feat had she not stepped down as coach of the U.S. national team, having won the 1996 away Olympics from Stanford’s 29-3 final four seasons in 1995-96.
“Basketball has always been and always will be a great team sport,” said Wanderer. “This may be a record that has the name of Tara Vanderveer, but it’s about the athletic director who hired me and gave me the opportunity. Great, great, great assistant coach who has worked extremely hard for our program. And that There are great players.
“I’ve never been the best player on a team I’ve ever played. I don’t consider myself some John Wooden junior coach. But I’m sure, I work hard, and I love the game of Basketball of Lunny. And I really, really I love giving and helping them get better. “
It’s no surprise that Wendweir thought about his friend Summit after Tuesday’s game. Koch was born just a year later: Summit in June 1952 and Wendweir in June 1953. Summit’s career coaching career began in Tennessee in 1974, and Wenderweir’s career began in Idaho in 1978. Their teams started the series in 1988, thanks to Azzie being a Tennessee native and coach met three times in the NCAA Tournament, all of which Tennessee won.
Wendweir said he has improved by coaching against the summit.
“She helped me do this because of playing against her teams,” said OneDavier. “All I learned from the belly was just to be enthusiastic about the game. I study other people; I’m a cop peer. The importance of rebounding, playing really hard – her teams did it. They didn’t give up. There were determined teams. “
1099.
Pat will be proud.
Congratulations, Coach Vanderweer! pic.twitter.com/T2R6hmVqCh
– Lady Wall Basketb ((Ladywall_Hops) December 16, 2020
Yukon coach Jen ur Rimma is not far behind Vandveer; It was his 1,093rd win at Seton Hall on Tuesday. Ie Rimma took over the Huck Keys the same year, Vanadveer took over as Cardinal.
“I’ve been here since 1985. Tara is still at Stanford,” Rimma said. “doing [the success] Having been in one place for so long, has something to do with stability? And the stomach to stay in one place for a long time? I think it has something to do with it.
“Tara [has been] In a great school, a place that really values women’s athletics and women’s basketball. The test of time – after all, that’s what seals your legacy: time. It’s a lot of games for coaches, very few wins. “
And for those who have played for Vendavir, she talks about the way she has affected their lives, except on the court.
“With the ongoing racial justice issues in the world, and we weren’t together as a team [earlier this year during the pandemic]”It’s not even about X and Ona, you know Tara takes care of you,” Williams said.
“I never really kind of say, ‘I’ll go to the gym and affect someone’s life today,'” VanDavier said. I just try to work really hard, set a good example with work policy, respect our student-athletes.
“I want to be the person they want to play hard for. Being a great coach for them is my goal. That’s what I work for.”
Wendweir admitted that a few years ago there was a moment when he thought it was time to retire, tired and a little burned. He spoke with John Arilaga, a graduate and assistant at Stanford.
“And he said, ‘Take the summer,'” Vandairveer said. “So I did.”
He spent time doing things like water-skiing, swimming, exercise bike riding. Focusing on her health and fitness and the hard work of staying away from time refreshed her and made her more enthusiastic towards coaching, a mindset that continues to this day. It helps Vandavir to go to this milestone.
“I’m excited when I’m in the gym,” he said. “It’s not like a job. It’s like a fun pastime.”
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