Tara Vanderveer, Hall of Fame Women's Basketball Coach at Stanford University | "As a coach, you can't just wear the sweatshirt, you have to sweat too."

Today's guest is one of the most accomplished coaches in the history of basketball. With 1,216 career wins, Tara Vanderveer ranks second all-time in NCAA basketball history. Over her legendary career at Stanford University, she led her teams to 3 National Championships, 14 Final Four appearances, and an unprecedented 36 consecutive NCAA Tournament berths.

A 5-time National Coach of the Year, VanDerveer also made history on the international stage, guiding Team USA to a perfect 60-0 record and a gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games, helping lay the foundation for what would become the WNBA.

Her journey began humbly as an unpaid graduate assistant and today she now stands as a two-time Hall of Famer (inducted into both the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame). Beyond the wins, her legacy is defined by her integrity, a standard of excellence and an unwavering dedication to advancing women’s sports.

Here's some notable highlights from our conversation:

• [17:51] Coaches set the example for their players
• [26:17] Learning from things off-the-court
• [28:36] Sharing analogies and stories with your team
• [33:11] Partnering with an executive coach 
• [37:25] Benefits of being coached in the last chapter of her career

More Resources:

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