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Wings of Gold

Wings of Gold

Sun Devil student-athletes pose with Sparky at 2018’s Wings of Gold Banquet.Sun Devil student-athletes pose with Sparky at 2018’s Wings of Gold Banquet.

Wings of Gold: Heather Farr award and Linda Vollstedt Coach of the Year award

 

Arizona State University's (ASU) 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:

  1. 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. ​

  2. 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.

In 2023, the Heather Farr Award was presented to softball's Yanni Acuña, while soccer's Graham Winkworth received the Linda Vollstedt Coach of the Year Award. 

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.

 

2025

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: