Former Iowa coach Lisa Bluder is now enjoying retirement after walking away in May 2024 following an illustrious career that spanned over two decades.
Bluder, who first handled the Hawkeyes in 2000, is widely regarded as one of the most successful tacticians in women’s college basketball. Under her leadership, Iowa reached unprecedented heights, including five Big Ten titles and back-to-back finals appearances in the NCAA Tournament.
She helped mold former Hawkeyes standouts Caitlin Clark, Kate Martin and Megan Gustafson into becoming WNBA players. Clark stars for the Indiana Fever, while Martin and Gustafson are teammates on the Las Vegas Aces.
On Saturday, the 63-year-old Bluder was honored during the football match between the university and Illinois State at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday. She received a thunderous roar from the crowd.
A picture of Bluder during the touching tribute was posted by the Iowa women’s basketball page on Instagram with the caption, “A Kinnick roar for Coach Bluder.”
Martin, who played for Bluder for five years, reposted it on her Instagram Story and added two emojis.
The 24-year-old forward has always expressed her admiration for Bluder. While she was initially shocked about the legendary coach’s retirement, she said Bluder deserved it.
“She’s coached at Iowa for as long as I’ve been alive so she deserves a break,” Martin said in an interview with KCCI News. “She deserves whatever she’s going to have in her future. It’s family time, relaxation.” Bluder recorded 528 wins in her 24-year run with the Hawkeyes. Overall, she amassed 884 victories in her 40-year career. She recently attended the game of Clark and the Fever against the Phoenix Mercury. Related: Christie Sides’ Strong Point Will Fire Up Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston Even More Copyright 2024 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved This story was originally published September 1, 2024, 11:51 AM.
