STANFORD, Calif. – Tara VanDerveer has been named a recipient of the WeCOACH 2024-25 Lifetime Achievement Award, the organization announced Wednesday. The WeCOACH Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to women in sports who succeed at the highest levels in their respective careers, while also displaying an unwavering commitment, pioneering spirit, and trailblazing leadership to empower and pave the way for girls and women in all sports and levels to breakthrough for many generations to come.
Along with VanDeveer in the 2024-25 class are Jan Hutchinson, Bloomsburg University Head Field Hockey & Softball Coach (retired); Carmen Jackson, Miami Northwestern Senior High School Head Track & Field Coach; Dr. Ann Lebedeff, Pomona-Pitzer Colleges Emerita Professor of Physical Education & Head Tennis Coach (retired); and Pat Summitt, University of Tennessee Head Women’s Basketball Coach (posthumous).
"The Lifetime Achievement Award honors those who have not only excelled in their field but have also paved the way for future generations of leaders. This year’s winners are true pioneers—individuals whose advocacy for women in coaching has broken barriers, records and created lasting change. Their unwavering dedication to excellence, empowerment, and inclusion is a beacon of inspiration. We are proud to celebrate their extraordinary contributions and the legacy they continue to build. WeCOACH could not be more thrilled to bestow upon them our highest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award,” said WeCOACH CEO Vanessa Fuchs.
Past Lifetime Achievement Award recipients include Jill Ellis, Muffet McGraw, Violet Palmer, Dr. Nikki Franke, Carol Hutchins, Jodi Manore, Missy Foote, Dr. Christine Grant, Bev Kearney, C. Vivian Stringer and Sister Lynn Winsor. The 2024-25 honorees will receive custom-designed awards by Jostens on May 19 in Denver, Colorado in conjunction with the WeCOACH-NCAA Women Coaches Academies.