For the Now and the Next
For the leaders. The dreamers.
The doers. The breakthrough-ers.
The visionaries, the revolutionaries, the luminaries.
Those who see sport as vehicle for change.
And don’t just go along for the ride.
They take the wheel and turn the tide,
They elevate their play, dictate the pace, join the debate and challenge the public discourse to create a better future.
A future that exists so bright, because of the pioneers of yesterday and today that looked at the rules and the norms and status quo and said, “No thanks.”
For those who dared to aspire, who fought and perspired.
Who’ve inspired the next generation of competitors and champions.
Record breakers and ceiling breakers. Game changers.
We salute you.
And through our play, tomorrow and today, we continue your charge.
Meet The Speakers
Leaders. Innovators. Role Models. Each with a unique story to share for the next generation.
Stanford: A Leader in Women's Sports
Olympians
107
NCAA Team Titles
62
Individual NCAA Titles
220
National Players & Coaches of the Year
47
Engage Beyond CardinalW Week
Essay Contest
We want to hear from you! Send us your essay using one of the prompts below, and our CardinalW panelists will hand-select a group of lucky winners!
Details:
- 500 words maximum
- Two age groups: 5th grade and under & 6th-8th grade
- Three winners chosen from each group
- Contest closes at 6 p.m. PT on Sunday, Feb. 21
- Essays will be reviewed by a Stanford Athletics panel
- Upload Directions: In order to be considered, please include the following at the top of your essay submission: First and last name, email, age group and prompt selection
Prizes:
- Grand Prize Winner (one per group): Cardinal Kids Club Membership, Stanford gear pack, autographed item, virtual video message from your favorite Cardinal team
- 2nd & 3rd Place Winners: Cardinal Kids Club Membership, Stanford gear pack
Prompts:
- What does being a part of a team mean to you?
- Write about a female inspiration in your life.
- How have sports impacted your life?
- Write about your sports hero.
- Write a letter convincing your best friend that they should play your sport.
Enter Via Email
CardinalW Newsletter
All of the best Stanford Women's Athletics content, delivered straight to your inbox. Coming very soon in 2021.
Sign Up
Founded by a Cardinal alum, Just Women’s Sports brings you everything you need to see and know in the world of women’s sports—including a podcast hosted by Stanford’s own Kelley O’Hara.
Subscribe to the Just Women’s Sports NewsletterSubscribe To The Just Women’s Sports Podcast
Cardinal, White & Blue | Stanford x Just Women’s Sports | USWNT Roundtable
Host: Haley Rosen | Speakers: Andi Sullivan, Tierna Davidson, Jane Campbell
If you've watched the U.S. Women's National Team in the last decade, chances are you saw a lot of Cardinal. Hear from a panel of Stanford alumnae who have helped make the USWNpT the best in the world as they discuss the state of women’s soccer, Stanford’s connection to the national team, and their various endeavors beyond the pitch. Hosted by Just Women’s Sports CEO and Stanford soccer alumna Haley Rosen.
Watch Session ReplayLessons From Legends | Cardinal Coaches Roundtable
Moderator: Dr. Condoleezza Rice | Speakers: Tara VanDerveer, Anne Walker, Tabitha Yim
With these women in the (virtual) room, you don't want to miss your chance to soak up greatness. Dr. Rice anchors a panel of current Cardinal coaches who will discuss the prominence of Stanford women's sports, the role sports play in life, and the future of women's sports.
A Tradition Of Excellence | Women’s Volleyball Conversation
Speakers: Kim Oden, Courtney Bowen, Tami Alade, Ogonna Nnamani Silva
Featuring Cardinal alumnae across multiple generations, this session will analyze what it means to be a female athlete, the reality of being a Black woman in society, how volleyball has evolved, and what Stanford means to the sport.
Watch Session ReplayChasing A Title During COVID | Women’s Basketball Discussion
Hosts: Nneka Ogwumike, Chiney Ogwumike | Speakers: Kiana Williams, Anna Wilson, Lexie Hull, Fran Belibi
In a season unlike any other, members of the current Cardinal program walk through the story of the historic 2020-21 campaign and discuss the innumerable challenges they've faced so far.
Watch Session ReplayA Kids-Friendly Conversation With The Cardinal | Softball Student-Athletes Past & Present
Moderator: Jenna Becerra | Speakers: Alana Vawter, Emily Young, Tatum Boyd
Join softball student-athletes, past and present, for a kid-friendly chat. In addition to touching on their journeys and life as a Cardinal, this exciting group will talk through favorite school subjects, hobbies, role models, favorite foods, and more!
Watch Session ReplayKelley O'Hara
Washington Spirit • USWNT • Host, Just Women's Sports Podcast • Stanford '10'
Kelley, a 2010 Stanford gradudate, is a two-time FIFA Women's World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist. Currently a efender for the Washington Spirit of the NWSL, O'Hara is a constant for the United States Women's National Team. O'Hara was the 2009 recipient of the Hermann Trophy while playing for the Cardinal.
Nneka Ogwumike
LA Sparks • WNBAPA President • Stanford Basketball '09-'12
After a stellar Cardinal career that featured four trips to the Final Four, four Pac-12 titles, and four All-America nods, Nneka was drafted No. 1 overall in 2012 by the LA Sparks. In her nine seasons so far, she’s been named WNBA MVP and won the WNBA title in 2016. She’s won two FIBA World Cup gold medals with Team U.S.A., and her recent endeavors as the President of the WNBAPA saw a landmark collective bargaining agreement come to pass in 2020.
Chiney Ogqumike
ESPN Commentator & Radio Host, WNBA 2014-Present, Stanford Basketball 2010-2014
A two-time WNBA All-Star (2014, 2018), and current WNBA Players Association (WNBPA) vice president, Chiney was the first overall pick in the 2014 WNBA Draft. As of 2020, she became the first black woman to host a national radio show for ESPN (“Chiney and Golic Jr.“), also being the first WNBA player to do so.
Dr. Condoleezza Rice
Director, Hoover Institution
From January 2005-2009, Dr. Rice served as the 66th Secretary of State of the United States, the second woman and first African American woman to hold the post. She then served as Stanford University’s Provost from 1993-1999. In 2013, Dr. Rice was appointed to the College Football Playoff Committee. A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. Rice enjoys playing golf, watching sports, traveling and music.
Tara VanDerveer
The Setsuko Ishiyama Director of Women's Basketball
A four-time national coach of the year and 15-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year, Tara has led her Stanford teams to two NCAA Championships, 12 NCAA Final Four appearances, 22 Pac-12 regular-season titles, 13 Pac-12 Tournament crowns and 31 trips to the NCAA ournament. In 2020 Tara passed the legendary Pat Summitt to become the winningest coach in women’s basketball history. In her free time, Tara loves to play the piano, water ski and cycle (both outdoors and on a Peloton).
Tabitha Yim '08
Head Coach, Stanford Women's Gymnastics
Tabitha Yim enters her fourth season as head coach of the Cardinal in 2020-21. Yim is steadily rebuilding the Stanford program and has guided the team to the NCAA Corvallis Regional in 2019. During her career as a student-athlete at Stanford, Tabitha was a 14-time All-American and has a lengthy list of other achievements and accolades under her belt.
Anne Walker
The Margot and Mitch Milias Director of Women's Golf
Anne Walker was named the Margot and Mitch Milias Director of Women’s Golf in 2012 and quickly established herself as one of the premier college coaches in the country. Walker has a National Championship pedigree, having led the Cardinal to the program's first NCAA title in 2014-15. The program has captured 21 full-field victories and has produced 20 All-Americans. Anne is a native of Lanarkshire, Scotland, began her coaching career at alma mater Cal, and is the mother of two daughters.
Jessica Allister
Head Coach, Stanford Softball
Bio
Tracy Slusser
Associate Head Coach, Stanford Women's Swimming
A former collegiate swimmer herself, Tracy's 'tenure has been highlighted by three straight NCAA titles from 2017-2019 and three straight top-three finishes at NCAAs, including a pair of runner-up finishes in 2014 and 2016. Slusser is vital to the team’s recruiting process and has worked closely with some of the best in the sport, including Lia Neal, Simone Manuel, Maya DiRado, Katie Ledecky, and Ella Eastin. A mother to two and coach to a roster of 26 women each year, Tracy has already had an impact on many.
Courney Bowen
Stanford Women's Volleyball '15-'18
A Brooklyn native, Bowen graduated from Stanford with a BA in economics and a minor in human biology. During her time on The Farm, she was a member of both the indoor and beach volleyball teams, and won two national titles. After suffering a basketball injury in high school, she was accepted into Stanford without any intention of competing in athletics. An unexpected recruiting call from former Stanford head coach John Dunning quickly changed her path and she hasn’t looked back since. Bowen now works for a private equity firm in Palo Alto.
Tami Alade
Stanford Women's Volleyball '15-'18
Born in Akure, Nigeria and raised in Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada, Alade was a human biology major with a concentration in child health and development, She helped lead the Cardinal to two NCAA titles. She was named the Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year and an Academic All-American in 2018. A two-time AVCA All-American, she finished her career as the program's leader in blocks per set. An older sister to two brothers, Alade is currently a Health Associate and plans to continue a career in the medical industry.
Kim Oden
Olympian • Stanford Women's Volleyball '82-'85
Oden paved the way for future generations of Cardinal, leading Stanford to four consecutive Final Fours from 1982-85, including back-to-back NCAA finals. Oden was the first AVCA National Player of the Year in program history (1985), a three-time conference player of the year & a CoSIDA Academic All-American in 1984. The AVCA Player of the Decade for the 1980’s, she is also the first Olympian in program history, representing the U.S. in 1988 & earning a bronze medal in 1992. Oden was an assistant on the Cardinal staff in 1993, 2000 and 2001, helping guide Stanford to the program’s fifth national championship in '01.
Ogonna Nnamani Silva
Olympian • Stanford Women's Volleyball '82-'85
One of the most prolific players to compete at Stanford, Ogonna was a four-time AVCA All-American and led the Cardinal to NCAA titles in 2001 & 2004. As a senior, she was the AVCA National Player of the Year, and was awarded the 2004-05 Honda-Broderick Cup, given to the best college female athlete in the nation. Ogonna represented the U.S.in the Olympics in 2004 & 2008, earning a silver medal in the latter. Sherecently graduated from the UCSF School of Medicine where she was named a Regents Scholar. Hoping to pursue a career as a surgeon, Nnamani Silva is a proud mother to Anya & wife to Michael Silva, a Stanford football alum.
Kiana Williams
Stanford Women's Basketball • Senior • Guard
Now in her senior year on The Farm, Kiana Williams is one of the nation's best guards, evidenced by her presence on Naismith Trophy aand Wade Trophy watch lists. A USBWA Honorable Mention All-American in 2020, Kiana is a two-time All-Pac-12 team member and was named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive honorable mention team in 2020. As a Science, Technology & Society major, she was named to the Pac-12 All-Academic Honor Roll in the 2020 season.
Anna Wilson
Stanford Women's Basketball • Fifth Year • Guard
Anna returned to Stanford for her fifth season, looking to go on a title chase with the Cardinal. She's started all 18 games for Stanford this year, after only starting in five over her previous four years. The Art Practice major is a two-time Pac-12 Tournament champ (2017, 2019) and was named Pac-12 All-Acadmic Honorable Mention in 2019.
Lexie Hull
Stanford Women's Basketball • Junior • Guard
Now a junior, Lexie Hull's impact on the program continues to grow. She excels on and off the court, garnering All-Pac-12, Pac-12 All-Defensive Team, CoSIDA Academic Academic All-District First Team, and Pac-12 All-Academic Honor Roll honors in 2020 as a sophomore. Lexie is a Management Science & Engineering major, playing alongside her twin, Lacie.
Francesca Belibi
Stanford Women's Basketball • Sophomore • Forward
Francesca (Fran) Belibi has already made a mark in her time on The Farm and she's only getting started. Fran is one of only eight women to dunk in a college game and just the fifth to do so in multiple games. Still undeclared in terms of her major, Fran was an Honorable Mention on the Pac-12 All-Freshman team last season.
Kyla Bryant
Stanford Women's Gymnastics • Senior
Kyla enters her senior season as a member of Women's Gymastics, already a two-time All-Pac-12 selection. Now a leader of the program, she looks to help push the team forward into the future under the direction of head coach Tabitha Yim. Bryant was a WCGA Second-Team All-American in 2020.
Sunny Villapando
Stanford Beach Volleyball • Senior
Sunny is set for her senior season on The Farm, and is a member of just the second senior class to pass through Stanford under head coach Andrew Fuller. In her time as a member of the Card, Sunny's earned Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention, Honorable Mention All-America, and Pac-12 All-Freshman Team honors.
Mikaela Watson
Stanford Lacrosse • Fifth Year • Midfield
A team captain in 2019, Mikaela is a Product Design major set to lead the Cardinal in 2021. Watson was named to the All-Pac-12 Second Team in 2019, and has earned awards for her work in the classroom with Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll (2020) and Pac-12 All-Academic First Team (2019) selections.
Alana Vawter
Stanford Softball • Sophomore • Pitcher
Hailing from Kansas City, Missouri, Alana is currently undeclared but aspires to be an engineer. In 2020, she finished the year 9-1, posted four shutouts to rank third in the Pac-12 and 12th nationally. She led the team in wins, appearances, strikeouts and innings pitched and finished second in ERA.
Janice Shin
Stanford Women's Tennis • Senior
Now a senior, Janice's career as a member of Women's Tennis is a decorated one. She's a two-time NCAA Champion, a two-time Pac-12 Champion, and was named to the NCAA All-Tournament team twice (2018, 2019). Shin is an ITA Scholar-Athlete, majoring in Science, Technology & Society.
Sarah Klass
Stanford Women's Water Polo • Senior • Driver
Sarah is a member of reigning 2019 NCAA champions Stanford Women's Water Polo, and a two-time ACWPC All-American (2019, 2020). A human biology major, Sarah was an All-MPSF First Team honoree in 2020 and returns as a senior leader for the Cardinal in 2021.
Haley Rosen
Founder & CEO: Just Women's Sports | Stanford Soccer '11-'15
Rosen received a BA and an MA from Stanford University, where she played as a midfielder for the Cardinal. After a brief professional soccer career in both the US and abroad, Haley returned to the Bay Area, where she first worked in tech before founding Just Women’s Sports, a platform that partners with some of the best athletes in the world to change how women’s sports are covered.
Andi Sullivan
Washington Spirit Midfielder | Stanford Soccer '11-'15
Sullivan was the No. 1 overall selection by the Washington Spirit in the 2018 NWSL College Draft. At Stanford, Andi was a three-time All-American and the 2017 MAC Hermann Trophy winner the season Stanford won its second NCAA title. Sullivan has represented the United States on the senior national team as well as the under-15, under-17, under-20, and under-23 national teams.
Tierna Davidson
USWNT | Chicago Red Stars Midfielder | Stanford Soccer '16-'18
At 20 years old, Tierna was the youngest player on the USA’s 2019 World Cup champion side. In 2018, she was named the U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year, named to the MAC Hermann Trophy watch list, and became the first national team player since Julie Foudy to play 90 minutes in each of her first five senior caps. A Bay Area native, Tierna helped Stanford claim the 2017 NCAA Championship and was drafted first overall by the Chicago Red Stars in 2019.
Jane Campbell
USWNT | Houston Dash Goalkeeper | Stanford Soccer '13-'16
In 2013, Campbell became the youngest goalkeeper ever called to training camp for the national team at age 17. In her time at Stanford, she was an NSCAA All-American, the 2016 Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Year, and a three-time All-Pac-12 honoree. Jane was the 15th pick of the 2017 NWSL draft and shortly became a finalist for the 2017 NWSL Rookie of the year.
Tatum Boyd
Stanford Softball • Softball • Pitcher/Utility
A sophomore from Plano, Texas, Tatum is a pitcher/utility on the softball team. In 2020 she pitched to a 7-0 record and a team-best .85 ERA with three complete games over 14 appearances. Tatum’s 2020 ERA was tied for first in the Pac-12 and ranked 12 nationally.
Emily Young
Stanford Softball • Junior • Utility
A junior from Mason, Ohio, Emily Young is a utility player on the softball team and started every game of the 2020 season at shortstop. An Aeronautics and Astronautics major, Emily was named to the Pac-12 All-Conference team and Pac-12 All Freshman Team in 2019.
Jenna Becerra
Content Strategy & Operations Manager, Chegg Inc. • Stanford Softball '09-'12
A 2012 graduate out of Camarillo, CA, Jenna was a force to be reckoned with on the softball field. As an infielder, she was a critical piece on the diamond from the moment she stepped foot on The Farm, starting in 51 games her freshman year. Jenna brought versatility to the team, primarily playing third base, but also saw time at first base, second base, and right field. Today, Jenna hosts the Bleav In Softball Podcast.