WASHINGTON - American 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 Caitlin Foley, assistant coach for the men's and women's swimming & diving teams.
 
American 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. Foley is the first-ever recipient from American.
 
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 proud to be a member of this year's class of the Women's Sports Foundation VanDerveer Fund recipients," said Deputy AD / Senior Woman Administrator Katie Benoit. "We recognize the critical importance of closing the gender gap in the coaching ranks, and seeing more women in these influential roles helps inspire our student athletes. This grant allows Caitlin the opportunity to inspire our student-athletes through her coaching and leadership, as well as grow in her own professional development." 
 
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.
 
Foley is in her third season as an assistant coach with the Eagles after joining head coach Garland Bartlett's staff in 2023-24. While working full-time as an E-Learning Coordinator with the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Foley is on the pool deck as much as possible helping guide the AU swimmers to success, working specifically with the individual medley and mid-distance stroke groups.
 
From 2020-22, Foley coached at The Catholic University of America where she helped the men's team to two conference championships and qualified one swimmer to the 2022 DIII NCAA Championship. Foley also helped lead the women's team to one conference championship and one conference runner-up finish.
 
During her time at CUA, Foley graduated with her master's in management and leadership. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from Kenyon College in 2019 and was a backstroke, freestyle and individual medley specialist over her four years, serving as a team captain during her senior year. She qualified for the NCAA Championships each winter, helping Kenyon earn runner-up team finishes on three occasions and a third-place effort the other year. Foley posted six All-American laurels during her career, while swimming the opening leg of the victorious 400 medley relay at the 2018 NCAA Championships.
 
In the classroom, Foley was a four-time College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Academic All-American.
 
"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.