Tara VanDerveer Breaks College Basketball Record as Winningest Coach

Tara VanDerveer, the head coach of the Stanford women’s basketball team, made history on Sunday, breaking the record for the most wins by a college basketball coach. With her team’s victory over Oregon State at Stanford’s Maples Pavilion, VanDerveer secured her 1,203rd career win, surpassing the previous record held by Mike Krzyzewski, the former coach of Duke and Army.

The atmosphere at Maples Pavilion was electric as thousands of supporters and former players gathered to witness VanDerveer’s historic achievement. The crowd expressed their love and admiration for the Hall of Fame coach, chanting her name in the closing moments of the game.

VanDerveer, who has been coaching for 45 years, expressed her gratitude to her players and the places she has coached throughout her career. She also acknowledged the attention her accomplishments have brought to women’s basketball.

The celebration at Stanford was filled with special moments. A video tribute featuring messages from notable figures such as Billie Jean King, Steve Kerr, Dawn Staley, and Mike Krzyzewski himself was played on the big screen. Former star players, including Jennifer Azzi, Chiney Ogwumike, Ros Gold-Onwude, and Jayne Appel-Marinelli, were also in attendance, along with former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

On the court, Kiki Iriafen and the Stanford team delivered an impressive performance to secure the record-breaking win. Stanford’s victory was all the more remarkable considering they were without All-American player Cameron Brink due to injury. Iriafen led the way with a career-high 36 points and 11 rebounds, while Talana Lepolo contributed 14 points and six assists.

Following the game, VanDerveer credited Oregon State for their sportsmanship in congratulating her. Oregon State’s Raegan Beers scored 18 points in the game, but it was Stanford’s night to celebrate.

Tara VanDerveer’s legacy extends far beyond her record-breaking win. As a 17-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year with three NCAA titles and a gold medal from coaching the 1996 U.S. Olympic team, she has positively impacted the lives of countless players and remains a true guardian of the sport.