Wings of Gold: Heather Farr award and Linda Vollstedt Coach of the Year award
Arizona State University’s Wings of Gold is an annual celebration honoring the achievements of female student-athletes and coaches. The event features the presentation of two prestigious awards:
- Heather Farr Award: This award recognizes a female student-athlete who exemplifies excellence in academics, athletics, sportsmanship, and community commitment, maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA. It is named in honor of Heather Farr, a Sun Devil Women’s Golf legend who bravely battled breast cancer until her passing in 1993.
- Linda Vollstedt Coach of the Year Award: This award is bestowed upon a women’s coach at ASU who best embodies the four pillars of the Sun Devil Way: Integrity, Championship Performance, Graduation and Tradition. It is named after Linda Vollstedt, a celebrated figure in Sun Devil Athletics.
The Wings of Gold event not only celebrates these individual achievements but also serves as a fundraiser to support women’s athletics at ASU. For example, in a recent celebration, nearly 400 attendees gathered at the San Tan Ford Club of Sun Devil Stadium, raising more than $150,000 to support women’s sports programs.
Overall, the Wings of Gold celebration highlights the dedication and success of ASU’s female athletes and coaches, fostering a supportive community and promoting excellence in women’s sports.
2026
- Heather Farr Award: Kenzie Brown, Softball
- Linda Vollstedt Coach of the Year Award: JJ Van Niel, Volleyball Head Coach
2025
- Heather Farr Award: Charli Brown, Women’s Swim and Dive
- Linda Vollstedt Coach of the Year Award: Kristen Glattfelder, Beach Volleyball Head Coach
2024
- Heather Farr Award: Ashley Menne, Women’s Golf
- Linda Vollstedt Coach of the Year Award: JJ Van Niel, Volleyball Head Coach
2023
- Heather Farr Award: Yanni Acuña, softball
- Linda Vollstedt Coach of the Year Award: Graham Winkworth, Soccer Head Coach
2022
- Heather Farr Award: Jorinde van Klinken, Track and Field
- Linda Vollstedt Coach of the Year Award: Sheila McInerney, Women's Tennis Head Coach
2020
- Linda Vollstedt Coach of the Year Award: Cliff English, Triathlon Head Coach
2019
- Heather Farr Award: Kianna Ibis, Women’s Basketball
- Linda Vollstedt Coach of the Year Award: Charli Turner Thorne, Women’s Basketball Head Coach
2018
- Heather Farr Award: Kerri Clayton, Lacrosse
- Linda Vollstedt Coach of the Year award: Missy Farr-Kaye, Women’s Golf Head Coach
Wings of Gold news releases
- 2026: Brown, Van Niel take home top honors at Wings of Gold
- 2025: Brown, Glattfelder take home awards at Wings of Gold
- 2024: Menne, Van Niel take home awards at Wings of Gold
- 2023: Heather Farr’s legacy continues to inspire Sun Devils
- 2023: Acuña, Winkworth win top honors at Wings Of Gold
- 2022: McInerney, van Klinken take top awards at Wings Of Gold
- 2020: Cliff English receives the 2020 Linda Vollstedt Coach of the Year Award
- 2019: Women's Basketball earns top awards at 2019 Wings of Gold event