Stanford Women's Basketball Coach Ready To Rebound In 2020

PALO ALTO, CA -- After losing in the "elite 8," head coach Tara VanDerveer came home to Stanford University without a NCAA women's basketball trophy but with another sport in mind.

She went skiing at Lake Tahoe a few days. Call the rebound from the 2019 season a refresher of sorts -- one worthy of helping plan for the next season.

"We were very happy with this year. We really stepped up going to the elite," VanDerveer told Patch.

Stanford has reason to brag. Earlier in the season, the team beat the NCAA championship team, Baylor -- only to lose prior to the final four to the squad that Baylor overtook by one point in a buzzer beater.

But there's always a silver, or red rather, lining for the Cardinal.

"We were the only team that beat Baylor," VanDerveer, 65, said. "We have a young team, but they're very competitive."

Both Baylor and Notre Dame are experienced teams.

For next year, she'll lose two seniors but expects to keep the three juniors, five sophomores and three freshmen. She also anticipates a healthy team after losing one player to an injury.

When asked what makes a winning team with a winning coach, she didn't hesitate to answer: "Being healthy."

Admitting that "we're always recruiting," (and of course playing by the rules in respect to women's basketball), VanDerveer isn't shy about reinventing the team with new people using tried-and-true basics.

She also mentioned other notable attributes like playing "unselfish team basketball, having a vision and sharing with the players and staff."

It certainly helps to get the Cardinal fan base fired up.

NCAA women's basketball has taken on its own life form recently, with the excitement level building at a rate not seen before.

It's this type of validated proof that prompted Notre Dame head coach Muffet McGraw to make the case of why genders are treated and viewed differently.

Perhaps, women's basketball is exciting in its own right - not despite that it's not a men's league.

"I think she had a very good point," the Cardinal coach said.

VanDerveer believes part of the surge in interest is due to the players becoming more skilled, thrilling the crowd with more three-point shots that almost defy gravity.

"We're seeing the best attendance we've had," said the Cardinal coach, who's been with the team since 1985. She led the school to two NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championships in 1990 and 1992.

And a fan doesn't have to be court side to appreciate the enthusiasm generated in the sport these days.

"I even got into it, and my boyfriend really is," said Erin Renal, a bartender at The Patio in Palo Alto.

Renal has noticed more people belly up to the bar and ask for the Stanford women's games at the sports bar.

"Being a bartender, I see it a lot. Stanford is huge here - especially when they're winning," she said.

VanDerveer knows the territory of a winning spirit well. Part of that spirit is an undaunted dedication to winning more titles. The legendary coach represents one in nine coaches to have won 900 women's basketball games. She's also one in 10 to win 1,000 games in NCAA Division I contests.

She's not only a winner. She's liked and respected -- not a given combination. In 35 years, VanDerveer has captured 18 coaching awards for her contribution to the sport.

"Tara VanDerveer is one of the great educators in the game of basketball and an icon in the sport. Beyond the game, she means so much to Stanford. She's a friend and resource for everyone on campus and someone whom people within our department often seek counsel," said Bernard Muir, the Jaquish & Kenninger director of athletics. "Tara is always available, always open and always willing to help better Stanford Athletics and Stanford University in any way she can."

After a short breather, the VanDerveer plans to start planning for the 2020 season.

When asked if she had any plans for retirement, the Massachusetts native was adamant there are none.

She's just looking ahead to next year and hoping to put all the pieces together of good health for her players, a vision to share with them and the spirit to overcome a "reloading" period to push the Cardinal into the lead.

That's what winners do. They rebound with a renewed optimism and opportunity.