Later that year, he coached the Commodores to a 20-11 record and the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. From there, he guided the United States to a gold medal at the World University Games in the summer of 1997. For many, such a year would mark the pinnacle in a career. In that time he has produced winning teams, guided the academic progress of his players, served numerous philanthropic interests and helped the development of women s basketball on both the collegiate and international levels. In eight of the nine seasons Foster has coached Vanderbilt, the Commodores have won at least 20 games and gone at least as far as the Sweet 16 in six of those nine years.
Few programs can boast such constant athletic achievement.
Fewer still can compare when other factors are considered. As he completes his second decade of coaching, Jim Foster remains at the leading edge of his sport as an educator, administrator and motivator. Coaching Just four games in to the 1997-98 season, Jim Foster won his 400th career game. He became the 34th women s head coach, 11th male, to achieve that milestone. In the 10th game of the 1998-99 season, he earned his 100th victory in Memorial Gym and earned his 450th overall win in the NCAA Tournament last season.