Cal and Stanford Football’s Impact on Women’s and Olympic Sports
College sports are changing fast, and Andrew Luck and Ron Rivera are right in the middle of it. They’re not just trying to win more football games at Stanford and Cal—they want to make sure the whole athletic department thrives for years to come.
This piece takes a look at what they’re up to, the obstacles they’re running into, and how their work could impact women’s and Olympic sports all over campus.
The Role of Andrew Luck and Ron Rivera in Bay Area College Sports
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Luck and Rivera have stepped up as general managers for the football programs at Stanford and Cal. Their jobs matter for more than just football; the entire athletic department depends on their success.
They recently showed up together at an event in San Mateo called Navigating the New Era, which supported the Women’s Coaching Alliance (WCA).
Supporting Women’s Sports
The WCA, a nonprofit dedicated to women’s sports, used the event to spotlight how important non-revenue sports are. Pam Baker, who started the WCA, pointed out that Luck and Rivera have always backed their mission.
Much of the conversation focused on how uncertain things feel for college sports right now, especially for women’s and Olympic teams that aren’t bringing in big money.
Challenges and Uncertainties in College Sports
At the event, Luck and Rivera didn’t sugarcoat the situation. Luck said, “college sports are in a weird place,” and admitted that a lot of people just want some answers.
Rivera agreed, saying he’s worried about what could happen to the smaller sports if things keep shifting.
Heavy Hitters in Attendance
The event drew some big names: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, John Lynch, Jed York, Steve Young, Amy Trask, and Carmen Policy all showed up. Boosters from both Cal and Stanford came out too.
There was a lot of support in the room for Rivera’s idea to bring back some version of the Pac-10 or Pac-12 conference.
The Importance of Football in Supporting Other Sports
Luck and Rivera both made it clear: if football does well, the whole athletic department benefits. Luck said his main job is to focus on football, but he’s always thinking about how that success can help everyone else.
Rivera put it simply—when football is healthy, it can help keep other sports afloat.
Fundraising and Financial Strategies
Rivera shared that they don’t just ask for money for football. If someone isn’t interested in donating to football, they’ll suggest supporting another sport instead.
This approach tries to make sure no teams get cut just because of budget problems.
Public Opinion on College Sports
The Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics and Elon University released a poll that day. The results showed a lot of public backing for women’s and Olympic sports.
Forty percent of people polled said schools haven’t done enough to give women fair opportunities, and 70% said non-revenue sports matter for universities.
Support for Federal Funding and Tax on Sports Gambling
About half the people in the poll supported federal funding for Olympic college sports. Nearly as many liked the idea of a tax on sports gambling to help fund Olympic development.
Achievements in Olympic Sports
Stanford and Cal athletes really shine at the Olympics. Together, they took home 62 medals at the Paris Games.
Stanford alone set a school record with 39 medals. Luck said he’s proud of these athletes and pointed out that football helps keep the whole athletic department connected to the community.
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Personal Experiences Shaping Their Views
Luck and Rivera both see things through a personal lens. Luck’s wife, Nicole Pechanec, works as a producer for NBC’s Olympic gymnastics coverage.
Rivera’s wife, Stephanie, played basketball at Cal and coached in the early WNBA days. He also talked about seeing firsthand the differences in support for women’s sports during his wife’s and daughter’s athletic careers.
The Future of College Sports
Luck and Rivera admit they don’t know where college sports are headed. They’re curious—and a little anxious—about what’s next, especially for women’s and Olympic teams.
Luck brought up the recent executive order signed by President Donald Trump to “save college sports,” which has only added more questions about what kind of federal oversight could be coming.
Andrew Luck and Ron Rivera have done a lot to breathe new life into the football programs at Stanford and Cal. But honestly, their impact stretches way beyond just football.
They’re really making a difference for the entire athletic departments, especially when it comes to women’s and Olympic sports. College sports keep changing, and it feels like the approaches Luck and Rivera take could shape what happens next.
For more information, you can read the full article on the San Francisco Chronicle.