Caitlin Clark Celebrates Former Iowa Coach With Three-Word Comment.

 

Retired coach Lisa Bluder was honored during the football game between Iowa and Illinois State on August 31 at Kinnick Stadium, and Indiana Fever rookie sensation Caitlin Clark was all for it.

 

Bluder, who coached Iowa for 24 years before retiring in May 2024, was serenaded with loud cheers when she took the field during a break in the first half of the Hawkeyes’ season opener.

The Instagram account of the Iowa women’s basketball team posted a picture of Bluder during the tribute. This received a reaction from Clark, who starred for the Hawkeyes.

“Runs the city,” the 22-year-old guard commented on the post.

Bluder handed the keys to Clark during her four-year stint at Iowa. She blossomed into a bona fide stud, averaging 28.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 1.5 steals during her college career while also electrifying the women’s game.

Under Bluder’s tutelage, Clark also set the all-time scoring NCAA record, in both men’s and women’s, with 3,951 points.

The 63-year-old Bluder stepped down as a five-time Big Ten champion coach, including three straight titles with Clark. Bluder also steered the Hawkeyes to back-to-back championship appearances in the NCAA Tournament in 2023 and 2024.

She was replaced by her longtime deputy, Jan Jensen.

 

As Clark pointed out, Bluder will always be beloved in Iowa. Her passion and leadership fostered a positive team culture and prepared her players for life beyond basketball.

During her retirement announcement, Bluder said coaching the Hawkeyes was “the honor of a lifetime.”