From a Parents' Perspective

Driving through the Utah salt flats on our way to Omaha just a few weeks ago, our son called us with the horrible news.  He was devastated.  We were devastated.  We couldn't speak for some time as we drove on.

Kathy was an incredibly special person.  As parents of a Stanford baseball player, she was our son's "mom away from home."  She was the kind face and friendly voice when things were tough and the best cheerleader when things were great.  She was our conduit to information...but much more than that she was our friend when we needed help with any old thing, no mater how small or how big, whether on game day or in the fall.

Our prayers and sympathies go out to Kathy's family and to the entire Stanford baseball family.  We have all lost a dear and wonderful friend.  We miss her tremendously.  I cannot imagine what it will be like to not see her at the games next year.

God bless!

The Davis Family (Erik Davis, 2008)

I have many fond memories of Kathy, and still can't really believe she's gone. I covered the baseball team for The Stanford Daily at the end of the 1987 season and throughout the 1988 season. Kathy was unfailingly friendly, warm, and welcoming, even during times--like the run-ups to the College World Series--that I'm sure were very hectic for her. She had a great gift for putting a person at ease. As a callow 21-year-old I was frankly fairly intimidated walking into the baseball office to interview Mark Marquess--he's an intense man and I think he had more important things on his mind than talking to Daily reporters. So it was always a relief to be greeted by Kathy's friendly smile and ready laugh. In subsequent years, when I would visit campus a friend and I routinely stopped by the baseball office to chat with Kathy. I would tick off the names of players from those '87 and '88 teams, and, as mentioned in other posts, Kathy could give a detailed, current update on every one of them. She was also uncommonly kind and generous to me, even when I was 20 years removed from my vicarious connection to the baseball team. The last time I saw her was about a year ago, and when I stopped by the office I mentioned that the current iteration of my beloved Stanford baseball cap was probably six years old, very worn out, and that I needed to buy a new one. Without hesitating, Kathy jumped up from her desk and exclaimed in that exuberant but matter-of-fact way she had, "Well, let's get you one!" And she walked over to Sunken Diamond with me (greeting by name most of the little kids coming out of the Stanford youth baseball camp that was wrapping up at that time of day), let me into the equipment room, and helped me find a cap that fit. She wouldn't let me pay for it. That was the last time I saw Kathy, but that episode captures her: She would put aside anything she was working on to help the person in front of her. She was great at her job, a terrific ambassador for the baseball team, and a really lovely person. I'll miss you, Kathy.

Chris Myers '88

From a Stanford Baseball Fan

There have been many posts to this blog by former players, Stanford employees, etc., and I'd like to add a reflection on Kathy from a fan's viewpoint. Everything that has been said about her also applies to the many season ticket holders and supporters of Stanford Baseball. Kathy was a friend to everyone, and no request was too trivial for her to help out with. She sat just across the aisle from my seats, and throughout each game their was a constant stream of fans, former players, scouts, and others to whom she greeted with her big smile and warm reception. Most of all, she was a wonderful person who dedicated her professional life to the team she loved so much. I can't imagine sitting in my seat for the next game in Sunken (alumni in the fall) without her being there, which brings me to an idea I'd like to set forth: how about naming that game "The Kathy Wolfe Alumni Game" as a tribute to her contributions throughout her many years with the team? That way we will never forget...... Bruce Fielding, Section 1, Row G, Seats 17 &18

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Thanks,

J.D.

Kathy

I just noticed this site and was reading through the comments with tears streaming down my face. I was the Stanford Baseball media relations contact for about eight and a half years and can truly say that Kathy was the best. There were so many projects that I worked with Kathy on, and she always made them so enjoyable. She is already greatly missed by myself and my family. God must have needed someone to run his baseball program.

Kyle McRae

Thank You Kathy

Stanford Baseball will never be the same without Kathy Wolff.  Along with '9', '32', and 'The Colonel', she's been the heart and soul of the program for decades.  I know we all admired and appreciated everything she did to make our experience as Stanford student-athletes that much better.  She was unwaveringly optimistic and positive in our lives on, and off, the field; completely supportive, and a calming presence.  I really wish that future Stanford baseball players would be able to have her around as they navigate through their time on The Farm, but since that isn't meant to be, I'm happy that we can come together to appreciate the life she lived, and the positive impact she made on all of our lives.  She will be missed! 

Mike Gosling '02

First Class

In KP's piece during the FSU game he relayed Nine's comments that "Kathy was the best part of our program". It's hard to argue, and that's saying something considering all of the superlatives that can be attributed to Stanford in general and Stanford baseball in particular. Any attempts to describe what an impact she had on me personally would sound redundant after so many of the posts that have come before. Dave really hit it on the screws in noting that she always made you feel as if you were the most important thing she had going on at any given moment. Whether it was this dumb kid from Montana not bothering to pack as much as a sweatshirt on his first trip to Los Angeles and nearly freezing on a Friday night at foggy Jackie Robinson Stadium, or a neighboring toilet flooding our hotel room during the regionals in Wichita and forcing a hasty evacuation, Kathy always rode to the rescue. Since graduation, Kathy has been my lifeline to the program in many ways, continually alerting me to the whereabouts of "her boys" so that I could connect with them in the minors and now in the major leagues. And every time I run into a Stanford guy, whether it was Jay Pecci in Gary years ago or Jed Lowery just a few weeks back, the scenario is the same...everyone shares their favorite Nine story, and everyone has a glowing memory of Kathy. So many relationships in college are strictly defined in ways that we outgrow; teacher/student, coach/player, idiot/idiot for many of us. But with Kathy it was different, because she didn't feel the need to bucket anybody, instead treating all with the utmost of kindness and respect. Truly first class. She will be dearly missed, and we are all greater for having had the privelege of her friendship.

Kris Atteberry '96

Kathy's Service Information

I imagine you all received this email, but just in case:
___
At the request of Kathy's family, we invite you to join us for a celebration of her life:

Friday, July 11, 2008
4:00 p.m.
Sunken Diamond

No reply necessary. Should you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Eileen Gall at (650) 725-9517 or Christa McLoy at (650) 723-0885.

Donations in Kathy's memory can be made to the Kathy Wolff Memorial Fund, Department of Athletics, Arrillaga Family Sports Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305.

Kathy

Kathy had an amazing ability to make problems go away. If Kathy was sympathetic to your cause, the issue was as good as solved. Even better, Kathy would do anything for her sons on the Stanford Baseball Team. How Kathy greeted me by name the first time I walked into the baseball office and how she remembered me at the alumni game 5 years after graduation still amazes me. Thank you, Kathy for your love and support. You were a calming source of stability and compassion for us in a time filled with confusion and uncertainty. Thank you so much, for always making my problems disappear. You will be greatly missed!
-Jason VanMeetren '02

Remembering Kathy

Kathy was every bit as much a part of Stanford Baseball as 9 and Sunken Diamond. You couldn't find a better ambassador for Stanford University and the Baseball program. Her enthusiasm and caring for the student-athletes who came through her office was boundless. She will be missed by everyone who was lucky enough to cross paths with her. Thanks for everything, Kathy.

Jacob Gill ('00)

Kathy

I joined the Stanford Baseball family as a transfer student in January of 2000 with a great amount of trepidation towards the world I was joining. I was at a new school with new teammates and a new season starting within weeks; and no one else to share my situation. Kathy was there every step of the way to answer every triviality that I had and to comfort me and make me feel like part of the family at once.

Now as an alum, our recurring connection to Stanford Baseball is through the annual Alumni Game. I look forward to this weekend every year to reconnect with all the amazing people who have played or been a part of Stanford Baseball.  I will miss Kathy's warm greeting, smile, and hug. She has had an indelible effect on all of our lives and I will remember her every time I think of Stanford Baseball.

Kathy

I think we can all say that we lost a dear friend with Kathy's passing. Her ability to make me and all of us feel at home in a new place, full of new people was truly amazing. My experience with the Stanford baseball program and the University in general forever changed my life. Kathy your role is undeniable and so very beneficial. I am so thankful to have had you in my life. Thank you for your support, your cheers, your smiles, your ability to pick us all up when we were down, your celebration when we were up, your care, and your love. You will be forever missed but never forgotten.
- Scott Dragicevich '02

Kathy

I was terribly sorry to hear about Kathy's untimely passing.  I, too, was a broadcaster with KZSU and Kathy was always a highlight of my experience with the team.  Her kindness, generosity, and devotion to the players, families, and Stanford community were obvious, and it's hard to imagine Stanford Baseball without her.  She'll be missed.

-- Sean Bruich ('06)

I will miss Kathy

I'll never forget Kathy for her devotion to all things Stanford. She made the baseball program go, but I could always count on seeing her at Stanford Stadium on a football Saturday, or during the winter months at Maples. She was sort of like a second athletic director in that way - she wanted to support the Stanford kids no matter what the event, no matter how busy she was. I will miss her at Sunken and every time I set foot on campus. Kathy treated me like she treated everyone - when she saw you, you were the most important person in the world right then. She was the best.
Dave Flemming, '98

Kathy

I had the pleasure of calling games with Kris Atteberry on KZSU in '95. Kathy treated us with kindness, generosity, and always made sure we were included-- all the way to Omaha. With all of her responsibilities to the team, she certainly wasn't required to make sure the KZSU crew was taken care of, but she did year after year. She is already missed so much by so many.

Danielle Sanchez-Witzel '96

Celebrating Kathy

I had very similar experiences as those already listed. Kathy always treated me with respect and compassion. In her eyes, it didn't matter if you were a Friday night starter or hadn't played all year; you were always greeted with a smile as you entered the office and a warm conversation. Speaking with her always took the edge off meetings with Nine. It takes a special person to have touched so many of us in such a fond and caring manner. I guess God needed someone like her to greet those coming into His office. I can only look forward to seeing her smile again at that time. My prayers are with her family. -Pablo Bravo '02

Kathy Wolff

I remember being very intimidated the first time I walked into the Stanford baseball office. I was on my way to meet with Coach Marquess and wasn't sure what to expect. I had arrived 10 minutes earlier than the requisite 5 minutes early, and as I walked in the door Kathy greeted me by name and asked me how the first week at school was treating me and my brother; even though I had neither met her nor spoken with her on the phone before. Our subsequent conversation put me at ease, and gave me a small glimpse of the wonderful person Kathy was. I heard similar stories repeated from family and friends who had interactions with Kathy - everybody loved her. I'll miss you Kathy.

Kathy

A lot of people think of Stanford baseball and think of the tradition, or the coaches, or some of the players. But what kept all of that great was Kathy; she was the ambassador between parents, coaches, and players and really didn't ever ask for the recognition she deserved. She always met my questions with confident solutions, and she always welcomed me as if we were the best of friends. I will miss that next time I call. We miss you Kathy.

J.D. Willcox '02

Kathy

Along with Sunken Diamond, Mark Marquess, and Omaha, Kathy Wolff was Stanford Baseball to me.  Her passing is a tremendous loss to all of us who have ever been a part of the Stanford Baseball community.  Like the many, many KZSU broadcasters that preceded me and those that have come after, I could never have done my job without her.  She treated me just like would any member of the team, during and after my time there.  My sympathies to her family and friends.  We will miss you Kath.

This site

Kathy Wolff (1954-2008) passed on Wednesday in her sleep and we all mourn her loss. This space is for those of us in the Stanford community and beyond who knew and had our lives impacted by Kathy to post your thoughts, prayers, and any updates any of you may have as we go. Also forward this onto anyone who would also like to share their thoughts.