Sandra Bacher started college at the University of Washington, but then transferred to San José State, where she won the National Collegiate Judo Association Championship for four straight years, 1990-93. Bacher was a 14-time US Champion, competing from 1992-2004. Bacher competed at three Olympic Games, as a half-heavyweight in 1992 and 1996 and a middleweight in 2000. Bacher also competed in freestyle wrestlng. She was a World Champion in 1999, a silver medalist in 1998, and a bronze medalist in 1997. In 2010 Bacher was inducted into the San José State University Sports Hall of Fame.