For Cal and Stanford student-athletes, competing to reach a goal is nothing new. Typically between these two storied rivals, the competition is against one another. 

This fall, however, Stanford Women's Golf set its sights on a goal in support of the Cal program, specifically in support of breast cancer research but dedicated to Cal Women's Golf Coach Nancy McDaniel who has taken a leave of absence to focus on her health as she undergoes treatment for breast cancer. The Cardinal launched a "PlayforHer" campaign in October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with the 2023 Stanford Intercollegiate event, hosted by Condoleezza Rice. 

The event was dedicated to Coach McDaniel, who once coached a student-athlete at Cal by the name of Anne Walker, now the Margot and Mitch Milias Director of Women's Golf for Stanford since 2012. 

As part of the campaign, Stanford set a goal of raising $250,000 to fund research that may help find a cure, via 99Pledges, by requesting pledges sponsor each birdie their favorite team makes or the entire field at the 2023 event. Funds raised are to go directly to Dr. Hope Rugo, Coach McDaniel's oncologist, and her research at the University of California, San Francisco, Breast Cancer Center. 

In total as of Nov. 7, the campaign has raised over $280,000. 

To learn more about the campaign or to get involved, please see here.