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Thompson: Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer's historic milestone deserves historic honor

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Thompson: Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer's historic milestone deserves historic honor

PALO ALTO, Calif. — The packed house at Maples Pavilion didn’t wait for the final horn to begin the serenade of Tara VanDerveer.

As freshman forward Nunu Agara dribbled into the frontcourt, and Oregon State coach Scott Rueck gestured to his Beavers not to foul, what was inevitable was becoming official. The crowd rose to its feet, roaring loud enough to make this historic occasion tangible.

VanDerveer showed up to the gym Sunday tied with Duke legend Mike Krzyzewski for the most victories in NCAA basketball history. She would leave alone at the top.

Senior guard Hannah Jump waved for the serenade to turn up. Time expired. The 65-56 win over Oregon State — victory No. 1,203 — was in the record books. Kiki Iriafen scored a career-high 36 points, including the first two 3-pointers of her career. But her performance was just the appetizer, lathering up the crowd for the main event. VanDerveer had crested Coach K to become college basketball’s winningest coach. It was time for the house that Tara built to celebrate its architect. The foundation was now the showcase.

The crowd began to chant with fervor: “Ta-ra! Ta-ra! Ta-ra!”

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But wait. Not so fast.

Before Cameron Brink could dump a Gatorade bucket of gold confetti on her coach (who looked relieved it wasn’t Gatorade). Before the approximate 4-foot numbers, 1203, could be set up as props at this hoop party in Palo Alto. Before the stage could be erected and videos played and speeches given. VanDerveer walked to the other end of the sideline and hugged Rueck.

Because you don’t get to 1,203 without consistency, without discipline born of ancient eras, without humility relevant in any age. She climbed this mountain by not skipping steps, by valuing every rep. Not even reaching the summit is worthy of a diversion from principle.

So VanDerveer walked the line. She hugged the opposing assistant coaches. She shook the hand of every Beavers player, greeting them with a smile and a kind word. It wasn’t until she got through them all that she would allow the spotlight of the occasion to focus on her.

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Now the ultimate deflector had to accept her flowers.

“When I think of you, one word comes to mind,” Jennifer Azzi, one of the renowned pillars of Cardinal hoops, said in a video played on the big board. “And that’s excellence.”

This place should be called Tara Pavilion. She didn’t build it with her hands in 1969. She didn’t renovate it in 2005. But she gave it life. She made it relevant. Her teams. Her success. Her tradition.

The last time the men’s team brought a championship here was 1942. But here wasn’t here yet. Maples wouldn’t open for another 27 years. The value of this place is centered on the standard the women’s basketball program set when VanDerveer took over in 1985. The outpouring of love has been brewed by years of teams and players worthy of affinity.

She didn’t shy away from Stanford’s elite academic standards, which can be an obstacle to recruiting, because it absolutely fits her holistic message of work ethic.

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She has delivered three national titles, 14 Final Fours, 15 first-team All-Americans, 25 conference championships, 30 WNBA players and countless moments.

And 1,203 wins.

Any Mount Rushmore of basketball coaches must include a bob with bangs.

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From piano lessons to swimming, Tara VanDerveer’s success is rooted in non-stop learning

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“We all know that beyond the stats,” Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr said in the tribute video, “beyond the wins and losses and everything else, it’s the impact you’ve had on so many young lives.”

The significance of this moment was present in the energy. In who was present. Condoleezza Rice. Andrew Luck. Chiney Ogwumike. Azzi flew in with two kids, 6 and 3, which might be as impressive as becoming Stanford’s first Naismith National Player of the Year in 1990.

“I’m not usually lost for words,” she said addressing the fans. “But it’s pretty impressive. All these people here. All the former players coming back.”

A flood of former players joined the festivities. The background vocals were provided by the sea of fans in Cardinal red, many of whom have spent years watching VanDerveer mold young women while racking up victories.

What everyone here knows is this celebration belongs in this place. This venue, this audience, this central figure are worthy of this spotlight. This neck of the woods is foundational to the sport that’s thriving at new levels.

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The torch being carried today by the likes of A’ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark, Dawn Staley and Sabrina Ionescu, got some of its spark from this lively hoops hub nestled in these manicured woods of intellectual prosperity. The story of women’s hoops cannot be told without Stanford women’s basketball. And the name Tara VanDerveer is an adjective for its quality.

Nike commemorated VanDerveer’s accomplishment with a white bomber jacket plastered with red tally marks. One for each win. The sporty 70-year-old, still fit enough to leap off the bench and light a fire into 20-somethings, put on the jacket. She looked like racking up another 500 wins isn’t off the table.

“I’ve had such an incredible life,” VanDerveer said on a stage erected as her pedestal. “I don’t want for anything. What I have is right here.”

The stage was christened by Ros Gold-Onwude, who played five seasons for VanDerveer, appeared in three Final Fours and built a reputation for defense. She’s now a versatile broadcaster for ESPN and hosted the festivities. She did a Q&A with Azzi and Ogwumike.

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A video played at Maples included praise from Billie Jean King, Coach K, Staley and 2016 WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike. But it was Lisa Leslie crashing the Stanford party to declare herself VanDerveer’s favorite. Leslie, the USC star, played under VanDerveer in the 1996 Olympics, along with hoops royalty such as Sheryl Swoopes, Teresa Edwards, Rebecca Lobo and Staley. VanDerveer took a year off from Stanford to coach this team on a 52-0 exhibition tour that set the foundation for women’s basketball in America.

Later in 1996, the American Basketball League launched as the nation’s first women’s pro basketball league. In 1997, the WNBA followed.

“I’m not perfect,” VanDerveer said. “I never claimed to be perfect. We’re talking about wins, but we’ve lost a lot, too.”

A whopping 267 games in 45 seasons. But her point is a real one. Winning 81.8 percent of her games isn’t solely why she is worthy of this moment. It’s because of the bar Stanford has represented in women’s basketball, held up by her wiry arms and vintage conviction. Those celebrating her Sunday didn’t speak of her treasure chest of victories but of her principles and modus operandi.

“You have personally helped influence my life and the way that I move,” Leslie said in the video. “I always remember that repetition of error …”

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Leslie pointed to Chiney Ogwumike, who finished the last part of the VanDerveer truism:

“Shows a lack of intelligence.”

No disrespect to Roscoe Maples, whose $1.7 million donation led to the building of the original home of Stanford hoops.

But this is Tara’s house. She built it up. She sustained it. And, as the winningest college basketball coach, she deserves it to bear her name.

(Photo: Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)

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Caitlyn Jenner says Tiger Woods ‘needs to get humble’ after DUI arrest, believes he can make comeback

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Caitlyn Jenner says Tiger Woods ‘needs to get humble’ after DUI arrest, believes he can make comeback

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The aftermath of Tiger Woods’ DUI arrest continues to unfold, as many are concerned about the 15-time major winner, while also condemning using a motor vehicle in an inebriated state.

Caitlyn Jenner, the Olympic gold-medal-winning decathlete and media personality, made an appearance on OutKick’s “Tomi Lahren Is Fearless,” where she was asked her opinions on Woods’ situation.

Woods’ DUI arrest resulted in charges of driving under the influence with property damage and refusal to submit to a blood alcohol level (BAL) test after law enforcement said his vehicle collided with another while he drove impaired.

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Caitlyn Jenner has voiced support for the International Olympic Committee’s expected ban on transgender women in female sports, citing biological advantages that hormone therapy cannot fully mitigate. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

“I look at Tiger and I saw what happened and I just think he needs to get humble,” Jenner said to Lahren. “Go to a recovery place, recover, clean himself up, and get back to being Tiger.”

Woods released a statement after his arrest and entering a not guilty plea, saying he understood the severity of the situation. He also noted that he would be stepping away from golf to “seek treatment.”

AUGUSTA NATIONAL CHAIRMAN REVEALS TIGER WOODS’ MASTERS STATUS AFTER DUI ARREST

As a result, Woods is not in the field at this week’s Masters Tournament. He admitted to law enforcement at the scene of his rollover crash in Jupiter Island, Fla. that he was “hoping to” be at Augusta National Golf Club this week.

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While Woods seeks treatment, Jenner said people will be rooting for the legendary golfer to get back healthy.

Tiger Woods was handcuffed after a sobriety test. (Martin County Sheriff’s Office)

“People love a comeback story. And what a comeback that could be if he could do that,” Jenner said. “He’s had so many health issues over the years, and injuries and back pain, and this and that. It’s a vicious cycle downhill, but you can [come back]. But it has to be done professionally. You have to go to a place that can help you out.”

A judge granted Woods’ request to receive treatment outside the country.

“I think Tiger’s a good person. He’s not a bad person. He’s a great person,” Jenner added. “And he wants to do good. He just has to get his life straightened out and get back to doing what he loves is playing golf.

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In this image taken from police body camera video released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff’s Office, golfer Tiger Woods performs a field sobriety test for sheriff’s deputies following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff’s Office via AP)

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“So, yeah, I wish him nothing but the best. He’s not a bad person. He’s a good person. It’s just that I think he’s in a bad place because of all the pain and everything that he’s been through. Yeah. And I wish them the best, but he needs professional help to do that.”

This arrest marked Woods’ second DUI arrest within the last decade. In 2017, he was taken into custody, also in Jupiter Island, after taking prescription drugs and falling asleep behind the wheel of a running car at 3 a.m.

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Commentary: LA28’s first Olympics ticket drop flops, leaving locals locked out of nearby events

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Commentary: LA28’s first Olympics ticket drop flops, leaving locals locked out of nearby events

Duped. Scammed. Gouged. Sidelined.

LA28 organizers probably didn’t count on such words accompanying their first big ticket rollout ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. After all, the committee and city leaders spent the last six months talking up the event.

The LA28 committee described the arrival of the Games as a boon for the city’s inhabitants, with unifying statements: “Creating the Games together!” Mayor Karen Bass promoted a “Games for All” vision. And we’ve been told over and over that tickets to events would start as low as $28, the 24% ticketing fee included!

The presale ticket lottery for those residing in ZIP Codes around LA28 venues also meant we would have a fair shake at getting into the Games, right? Finally, an affordable way into a major L.A. sporting event for those of us who are not Casey Wasserman, the multimillionaire chairman of the Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

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But that’s not what SoCal locals found in their first real brush with ticket access over the last week.

The presale launched Thursday, and by 10 a.m. Friday, aspiring ticket buyers reported that all artistic gymnastics events were marked “unavailable,” as was the opening ceremony. They observed that the few available tickets to swimming and athletic events such as track and field started at $1,116.27 per seat. Friends described the prices as “Criminal,” “Greedy AF” and “horrific.” My sibling said she felt crestfallen and likened it to discovering there was no Santa Claus. Jeffrey Epstein-level deception is where my mind went (please refer back to Wasserman).

Sunday was my window to sign in for the privilege of seeing what wasn’t available, or what was so far out of my price range it might as well have been cordoned off behind a gold rope and glass. There were no tennis, artistic gymnastics or men’s basketball tickets available. And by Monday, there were only a handful of events accessible for less than $150 a ticket (handball, women’s cricket, Judo). The women’s basketball bronze-medal game started at $407.17 a ticket.

Wait, was that a FBL08 Football (Soccer) Women’s Preliminary ticket at only $104.30? Forget it. It’s in St.Louis, among the handful of football (soccer) games that will take place outside California. The canoe slalom and kayak cross are scheduled for venues in Oklahoma City. Tickets are probably still available for those events, which even with air travel figured in may be the closest you’ll get to an affordable LA28 event.

By Tuesday’s draw, we were graciously given the option to purchase closing ceremony tickets at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, at $4,961.20 apiece.

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Remember L.A., we’re all in this together.

With that in mind, LA28 has offered locals another way in that won’t cost a dime: Volunteer to work the events throughout L.A., be it at the SoFi Arena, the Rose Bowl, the Coliseum or in Santa Anita. We should probably clarify that the dime saved is theirs, not yours. You’ll be working for free.

Once the LA28 ticket portal opened, those of us who registered and were selected for the ticket draw had a 48-hour time slot to purchase up to 12 tickets per session or event. As that was hardly enough time to sell my home, jewelry and pets for ticket funds, my family and I will be watching swimming, table tennis and the 4×400-meter relay competitions from somewhere outside L.A. That way we’ll avoid the LA28 traffic, limited parking and inflated prices.

More tickets will become available, according to LA28. Tickets for the general public for the LA28 Olympic Games are on sale from April 9 to 19. This “Drop 1” is available to fans worldwide who registered for the ticket draw and were selected for a time slot. Maybe they saved the lion’s share of tickets for the rest of the world … because they need locals to volunteer?

When the organizers claimed they would be “celebrating the communities closest to the action with the LA & OKC Locals Presale … giving local residents the chance to experience the Games up close and secure seats starting at $28,” they didn’t say that the “experience” would probably be outside their venues, on your TV screen, with $28 worth of streaming fees and snacks.

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Nothing like being locked out of a party that’s taking place in your own backyard. Way to go, LA28.

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WWE star suffers giant bump on her head before WrestleMania 42 match

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WWE star suffers giant bump on her head before WrestleMania 42 match

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WWE star Liv Morgan was banged up on “Monday Night Raw” after a segment that involved her getting pushed into stablemate Roxanne Perez and then thrown into a TV by her WrestleMania 42 nemesis Stephanie Vaquer.

The promo happened quickly. Morgan and Perez were backstage as the Women’s World Championship title contender wanted to thank “The Prodigy” for her help fending off Vaquer the week prior. But Vaquer got her revenge.

Liv Morgan makes her entrance during Monday Night RAW at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y., on March 30, 2026. (Craig Melvin/WWE)

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The champion rushed into the scene pushing Morgan into Perez and then into the television. WWE fans quickly noticed that it appeared Morgan and Perez bumped heads when the shove occurred. Morgan showed the aftermath on social media.

“You’re mine now b—h,” Morgan wrote on X showing off photos of the bump.

RANDY ORTON, RHEA RIPLEY ENTER WRESTLEMANIA 42 TITLE PICTURE WITH ELIMINATION CHAMBER WINS

Liv Morgan smiles during Monday Night RAW at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 2, 2026. (Mike Marques/WWE)

Perez also posted photos of herself needing to ice her head because of the bump that was left on the top of her forehead. The photos showed the bump and her icing her head.

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Vaquer is set to defend the Women’s World Championship against Morgan at WrestleMania 42, and as of now, the match is still on despite the bump.

Wrestling Observer reported Tuesday that both competitors were in concussion protocol after the segment.

Vaquer has been the champion for nearly 200 days after winning the vacated belt at Wrestlepalooza back in September. She defeated Iyo Sky to start her first title reign.

Stephanie Vaquer and Liv Morgan speak in the ring during Monday Night RAW at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, on Feb. 9, 2026. (Cooper Neill/WWE)

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Morgan held the title from May 2024 to January 2025, losing it to Rhea Ripley on “Monday Night Raw’s” Netflix premiere.

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