This episode features a remarkable conversation with Tara VanDerveer, the recently retired Stanford women's basketball coach and one of the winningest coaches in college basketball history. With 1,216 career wins, three NCAA championships, and an Olympic gold medal, Coach VanDerveer has dedicated 45 years to excellence in coaching and developing young women athletes.
We explore Coach VanDerveer's unique journey—growing up before Title IX without opportunities to play organized sports herself, yet going on to build one of the most successful programs in women's basketball. She shares her perspectives on what makes a great coach, why competence matters more than confidence, and how to maintain a positive outlook when facing the systemic challenges women in sports still encounter today. We also discuss the current explosion of interest in women's basketball, the impact of players like Caitlin Clark, and the ongoing fight for equality in collegiate athletics. Whether you're an athlete, a coach, or simply someone pursuing their passion, Coach VanDerveer's wisdom about teamwork, preparation, and resilience will inspire you.
Show Notes & Links Of Interest
00:00 - 02:17 - Introduction
Hosts introduce the episode and Tara VanDerveer's impressive accolades
1,216 career wins, 3 NCAA championships, Olympic gold medal, 5 national coach of the year awards
45 years dedicated to basketball
02:17 - 04:11 - Meeting Coach VanDerveer
Introductions and greetings
Hosts introduce themselves as Swarthmore College seniors and basketball players
04:11 - 06:20 - Coach VanDerveer’s Childhood & Early Sports Experience
Grew up in upstate New York, oldest of five children
Parents were educators who encouraged activity
Played various sports at the Y (trampoline, swimming, tumbling, basketball)
Started basketball in 4th grade PE class
Pre-Title IX era - no organized teams for girls
Currently enjoys biking, swimming, water skiing, snow skiing
06:20 - 07:52 - Importance of Women in Sports
Sports teach cooperation, unselfishness, and connectivity with teammates
Lessons learned on the court/field that aren't taught in classrooms
Team sports as "Petri dish" for real-world experiences
"Life is a team sport"
07:52 - 11:02 - Concerns About Youth Sports
Too much emphasis on winning at young ages
Coaches getting egos stroked through championships
Negative experiences causing kids to drop out
Stanford camp example: didn't keep score to encourage better coaching
Pressure to specialize in one sport too early
Need to make sports fun and positive
11:02 - 13:44 - How Playing Informed Coaching
Missed opportunity to play competitively like current generation
Competed academically instead (grades were her competition)
Flute lesson story: importance of a great teacher vs. one who creates pressure
Piano lessons as adult: great teaching led to making CDs in a year
Wanted to be a coach players would be excited to play for
Swimming lesson experience: importance of "getting in the water" with students
13:44 - 18:00 - Overcoming Challenges
Acknowledges privileged upbringing without major hardships
Timing was bad for playing but perfect for coaching (benefited from Title IX)
Fighting for resources: gym time, scholarships, assistant coaches, media coverage
Dealing with sexism: not being respected, valued, or seen
2021 Final Four example: disparities in facilities and food between men's and women's tournaments
Philosophy: Focus on the glass being full, not half empty
Never let challenges distract from the goal
18:00 - 20:00 - Self-Doubt and Confidence
Never experienced significant self-doubt
Always enthusiastic, upbeat, and motivated
Father's advice: "You'll have to do things twice as well to get half the credit, but you can do that"
Everything as a coach was better than what she had as a player
Gratitude perspective kept her positive
20:00 - 23:30 - Imposter Syndrome & Advice to Players
Pinch-me moments: meeting Supreme Court justices, presidents
Never felt "I don't deserve to be here"
Confidence vs. Competence discussion
Key advice: "Be competent" - preparation eliminates doubt
Story of Ashton Eaton (decathlon gold medalist): prepare for difficult conditions
Example: Make 100 free throws every day to be confident at the line
23:30 - 27:20 - Men Coaching Women / Gender Equality in Coaching
Pre-Title IX: 90%+ of coaches were women
After Title IX: Money and prestige attracted men to women's sports
Math example: If men coach 50% of women's jobs but women don't coach men, 75% of jobs go to men
Women can compete in classroom and coaching, just not physical basketball against men
Believes teams benefit from both male and female mentors
"Men are the ones losing out the most" by not having women's perspectives
NBA ahead of college in hiring female assistants
Always hired female assistants at Stanford to create pipeline
27:20 - 31:30 - Greatest Accomplishments
Most proud of relationships with former players and staff
Been at weddings, part of their families
Continues to mentor players in career and life decisions
Not focused on living in the past or accolades
"It's kind of today" - forward-looking perspective
Stanford sisterhood is real and powerful
Story of three sets of sisters on team modeling close relationships
31:30 - 41:20 - Growth of Women's Basketball
Historical context: Great players throughout history (Lusia Harris, Cheryl Miller)
Pattern of "two steps forward, three steps back"
Caitlin Clark effect: Put game on whole different level
Iowa's history of loving women's basketball
Clark's impact: 40% of WNBA revenue from ticket/jersey sales related to her
"The bigger the game, the better she plays - fearless"
Everyone benefited: South Carolina won championship, attendance up everywhere
South Carolina leads nation with 18,000 average attendance
First time women's March Madness viewership exceeded men's
41:20 - 43:30 - Mentors and Role Models
Parents were top mentors
Great teachers in elementary school and professors in college
Learned from coaches: Bobby Knight, Fred Taylor, Bill Walsh
Sister is a basketball coach
Learned from players and their leadership
Watches other coaches' practices at Stanford
43:30 - 44:30 - Empowering Women
Hires women as assistant coaches
Gives them responsibility
Works to help them realize goals (becoming head coaches, graduating)
Creates positive, encouraging, supportive environment
44:30 - 47:40 - Title IX and Current Challenges
Title IX created her coaching opportunity
Concerned about House vs. NCAA case (decision April 7th)
Revenue sharing will favor football and men's basketball
Women's sports haven't had same opportunity to generate revenue
Challenging time ahead for women's sports and Olympic sports
Conference realignment and mega-money in football complicating things
"It's a little bit of a grease fire right now"
Hope from women's March Madness viewership success
Led to renegotiated contract with ESPN
47:40 - 49:40 - Final Advice for Young Women
Follow your passion - never felt like she had a "job" job
Associate with quality people - surround yourself with good people
Have a plan - don't just wing it, be prepared
Celebrate successes, don't be discouraged by failures
"Every disappointment is a blessing"
Be persistent and determined - get back up after disappointments
Story: Walk-on player wrote "spread sunshine" as her contribution
"This is your life, it's not a dress rehearsal"
49:40 - 52:00 - Career Advice for Jordana (interested in sports/economics)
Sports and economics go together well
Do internships with WNBA or NBA
Don't worry about money at 22 - focus on foundation and contacts
Make sacrifices now for better future
"Go to the best person you could work with and get trained"
Study with the "Mozart" of your field
52:00 - 54:02 - Closing & Hosts' Reflections
Wrap-up and thank yous
Hosts discuss how cool Tara is and how they could imagine playing for her
Appreciation for her focus on relationships over accolades
Key takeaway: Confidence in yourself + power to change your competence through preparation
Hosts
