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Women's Basketball, May/Jun 2003 by Elfman, Lois

Kate Starbird, a 6'1" forward-guard with the Seattle Storm, comes from the great tradition of Stanford University basketball. In fact. she is at the head of the class. She graduated in 1997 as the school's all-time leading scorer and was named Naismith Player of the Year.

"[Coach] Tara VanDerveer doesn't make any promises," noted Starbird, 27. "You're there knowing you have to work your butt off and there's no guarantee you're ever going to play.

"Everyone who goes there ends up making a little bit of a personal sacrifice from their own success to the team's," she added. "In that way, Stanford creates a lot of really great role players. Everyone has enough talent, but everyone is able to fit into the team and knows how to do everything they can to help the team.

"Maybe that's why we've had so many ayers in the WNBA."

Stanford graduates all pursue lives in and out of basketball. Starbird is the founder of 3HC, computer graphics and animation company.

"We have filled a couple of contracts," said Starbird of herself and her business partner. "We're sending out a bunch of DVDs in search of work. We want to do short commercials. We've done a couple that are on our demo. We've also done some logo designs and some Web design."

In addition to 3HC, she has spent the offseason working out. She has spent much of her time in Utah, her base after playing two and a half seasons with the Starzz. She assists former teammate Jennifer Azzi with her conditioning camps. Starbird also loves the outdoor aspect of Salt Lake City, and takes full advantage of mountain biking and snow boarding.

Starbird bluntly said her personal goal for 2003 is "to make the team," which isn't easy given the smaller number of WNBA teams this season.

"My team goal for Seattle is obviously to make the playoffs again," she said. "I'm really excited to have the opportunity to work with Anne Donovan (the Storm's new coach). She is women's basketball." - Lois Elfman