Mission San Jose High School
Casually wearing a stars and stripes jacket, tennis shoes and shorts, Tara VanDerveer relaxes in fashion at her Stanford University office. But rarely will one find her there, especially now that she's taken on the job of coaching the women's Olympic basketball team.
Selected by a committee, VanDerveer is leading a group of dedicated young ladies on a quest for gold.
Touted as Dream Team II, the women of Barcelona placed third, falling short of their expectations. VanDerveer has other plans in mind for the so-called `Home Team' of 1996.
"We definitely have a goal to win the gold medal at the Olympics," Vanderveer said. "I'm very excited about playing in our home country. I mean, it's going to have a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of excitement and probably a lot of pressure," she said.
VanDerveer plans to leave her two-time national champion Stanford team in the hands of Amy Tucker, the current assistant coach and Marianne Stanley, former USC head coach. VanDerveer will miss her team, but thinks the Olympics is a once in a lifetime opportunity. "It was a very hard decision. I love working at Stanford. I think it's a great job and I feel like it's going to be very hard leaving our team," she said.
A one year leave is necessary to train for the tough opposition from 12 other countries. "The competition internationally is very intense. They're big, they're quick, they're very skilled and we're gonna have to improve our USA team," VanDerveer said.
The training regimen at Colorado Springs includes skill work, weight training, working out with men and competing with top-notch collegiate programs.
Along with the vigorous training, VanDerveer's background as a coach for six international teams -- including the gold medal-winning World University Games Team and Goodwill Team -- will be beneficial.
"My experience internationally will be very helpful; I know what we're going to have to play against and the style of international basketball ... I think more than anything experience will be the key," she said.
As coach of the National Team, VanDerveer has had the chance to work with most of the Olympians. Jennifer Azzi and Katy Steddin played on her 1990 Stanford championship team. The final Olympic team will not be selected until next spring.
Although she has had extensive coaching experience, VanDerveer's sex hindered her own playing time. As a child she played hoops on neighborhood playgrounds and backyards with the boys. Frustrated about not having the opportunity to play on a high school team, she persisted and later played for Indiana University.
In the spring of 1985 VanDerveer brought her coaching talent to Stanford after leading the Ohio State women's basketball program to four Big Ten championships. Among her honors are the 1989 Converse Coach of the Year, 1990 Naismith Coach of the Year and three-time Pac-10 Coach of the Year.
Beyond the Olympics, VanDerveer has further aspirations with her Stanford team. Along with 100 percent graduation from her players, being number one again is another ambition. "I think a goal would be to always try and reach our potential as a team and some of that might involve winning conference championships and national championships too," VanDerveer said.
At Stanford, VanDerveer has been known for her superstitions. She is particular about certain players wearing certain numbers. Once an outstanding athlete has finished her career, VanDerveer is picky about who gets her number. Also on days she loses, VanDerveer remembers the outfit she wore and sticks it in the back of her closet.
Whether she is remembered for her superstitions, helping people be the "best they can be," or just being Tara, she will surely be remembered.
"I think I'd like to be remembered as a good person who cared about the people she coached and worked with," VanDerveer said. "... someone who was a friend to people, someone you could depend on and trust ... someone who was a hard worker and was a motivated, positive person ... someone who learns from mistakes, just someone people enjoy being around -- upbeat and happy."