W&L Receives Grant from the Women’s Sports Foundation

By Brian Laubscher
September 17, 2025

Washington and Lee University has received a Tara VanDerveer Fund for the Advancement of Women in Coaching Grant from the Women's Sports Foundation (WSF). The grant will support professional development opportunities for Sarah Hollen '22, assistant coach for the men's and women's cross country and men's and women's track & field teams.

W&L is one of 11 universities and colleges nationwide to receive the grant, which supports collegiate women coaches on the rise, assisting with living expenses, professional development and mentorship. Hollen is the second-ever recipient from W&L, joining former assistant women's basketball coach Erin Hughes '21, who received the grant in 2023.

The grant totals $15,000, with an additional $2,500 that can be spent directly on professional development. Fellows are expected to attend at least two professional development opportunities such as a coaching association conference or women's coaching networking event. Fellows are also expected to attend the WSF Annual Salute, an awards gala recognized as one of the biggest nights in women's sports.

"We are honored that Sarah has been named a WSF VanDerveer Fellow," said Jan Hathorn, Michael F. Walsh Director of Athletics at W&L. "Whenever possible, it is important to support women who want to coach at the collegiate level and especially in the sports of cross country and track & field, where the number of women coaches is low. This grant allows Sarah the opportunity to inspire and influence W&L women student-athletes through her coaching and leadership as well as grow in her own professional development through the opportunities this grant affords. We're so proud she has received this recognition and support so she can continue to make a difference in the lives of W&L's student-athletes."

The WSF VanDerveer Fund has made an enormous impact during its short lifespan. Out of the first five classes, 39 WSF VanDerveer Fellows continue to lead in coaching roles, six have stepped into head coaching positions and four have used their fellowship experience to secure jobs in a sports-related field. Hughes currently serves as assistant women's basketball coach at Trinity College.

Hollen is in her second year as an assistant coach at W&L. Last year, she helped lead the cross country teams to two of the best seasons in program history. The women secured an Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Championship, an NCAA South Region Championship and an eighth-place finish at the NCAA Division III National Championship, while the men placed second in the ODAC and 21st overall at the NCAA Division III National Championship. She also assisted the women's track & field program to ODAC Championships in both the indoor and outdoor seasons, while the men finished as runner-up for the conference title in both in indoor and outdoor seasons.

"I'm grateful to the Women's Sports Foundation and to everyone at W&L who made this grant possible," said Hollen. "The fellowship will provide opportunities for me to connect with peer and mentor coaches, learn from leaders in different areas of women's sports and pursue new professional goals. The mission and values of the WSF resonate deeply with me, and I'm excited to represent W&L as a 2025-26 VanDerveer Fellow."

Hollen graduated from W&L with Bachelor of Arts degrees in economics and environmental studies and a minor in poverty and human capability studies. She was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, Omicron Delta Kappa and Omicron Delta Epsilon and was a member of the cross country and track & field teams. She served as a captain in cross country, helped the team to a pair of ODAC Championships and earned the 2018 ODAC Rookie of the Year Award. In track & field, she was a five-time scorer in the middle-distance events.

"For more than 50 years, the Women's Sports Foundation has championed opportunities for women to lead - on the sidelines and beyond," said WSF CEO Danette Leighton. "Expanding the presence of women in coaching is essential not only to equality in sport but to inspiring the next generation. When young women see a WSF VanDerveer Fellow coaching, they believe they can lead too - and that is the legacy we are committed to building and sustaining with this Fund."

About the Women's Sports Foundation
The Women's Sports Foundation (WSF) exists to enable girls and women to reach their potential in sport and life. We are an ally, an advocate and a catalyst for tomorrow's leaders. Founded by Billie Jean King in 1974, we are one of the first organizations to recognize the powerful connection between sport access, equity and society. For over 50 years, WSF has been changing the game through its research, advocacy and community programming, investing over $115 million to help girls and women play, compete and lead - in sports and beyond - without barriers. A leader and champion of the entire women's sports ecosystem, WSF amplifies the vital societal and cultural impact that is made when girls and women play sports. When girls play, they lead, and we all win! To learn more about the Women's Sports Foundation, please visit www.WomensSportsFoundation.org.

If you know a W&L staff member who has done great, accolade-worthy things, tell us about them! Nominate them for an accolade.