Unimaginable years as an extraordinary coach, the legend Lisa Bluder, received a fitting tribute at her home arena of 25 years. As the Iowa Hawkeyes took on Maryland for a near-upset, emotions ran high for the home crowd with a post-retirement honor for their former HC. While it wasn’t the score Jan Jensen and Co. were looking for on the board, it was sure an evening Bluder would carry with her as her players, including Caitlin Clark, showered love from far and near.

Donning a remarkable career, inclusive of a 24-year tenure, 528 wins, 2019 Coach of the Year honor, and 3 Big Ten Coach of the Year titles, Lisa Bluder was saluted with a halftime ceremony at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday. The former HC retired as Iowa’s winningest coach, having led the program to two consecutive tournament finals, earlier in May this year.

“I am sure this fall that I will miss the games… most importantly, the players. But my belief in the foundation of this program, knowing that success is now an unrelenting component of women’s basketball at the University of Iowa gives me comfort as I transition to become the program’s biggest champion,” she had said as she retired.

Months in, Iowa compiled a video to honor the coach who laid the foundation for the program it is today. “Grew the Game. Thank you will never be enough,” the post caption read as Jan Jensen, Caitlin Clark, Kate Martin, and more spoke fondly of their coach. To shower love physically, Megan Gustafson, a former Hawkeye who played for Iowa from 2015-19, showed up at the game.

The Las Vegas Aces star thrived under Bluder as the national player of the year, nation’s top female basketball player, and had her jersey retired. She has had immense respect for the coach, applauding her spirit in mentoring the next generation of women. Only natural she showed up on the occasion.

Bluder started her coaching stint back in 1985 and accumulated a win-loss record of  884-396, making her the winningest women’s basketball coach in Big Ten. As her son noted, she was just 6 wins away from making it 900, but her success truly laid in the women her players became.

Jansen took over as the HC, Clark became the no.1 draft pick and the 2024 ROTY, Martin is poised to lead the Valkyries, while Gustafson made her Olympic debut. All their success is what brings Bluder happiness and this reflection of love is two ways.

Caitlin Clark and fellow Hawkeyes make their love known for the coach

Love for Lisa Bluder was evident as she announced her retirement and the players took to social media to wish her the best. The sentiment was felt again today as Caitlin Clark took to X to simply re-share the tribute video and add a GOAT emoji. She had expressed all her gratitude back in May when she wrote, “Thank you for believing in me more than anyone. Enjoy retirement, coach. Very much deserved.”

Saying a little more than CC today was her best friend, Kate Martin. “Tear jerker. So thankful for Lisa Bluder,” she wrote on her Instagram stories, resharing the video. Another one of the iconic Hawkeye trio, Gabbie Marshall too chimed in with two hearts and tear-eyed emojis over the above post. Meanwhile, Jada Gyamfi, still a Hawkeye, commented, “Hey so this made me cry.”

In growing her players and the women’s basketball, Lisa Bluder finds herself up for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame nomination alongside Carmelo Anthony, Sue Bird, and Dwight Howard. The finalists are to be announced on February 14th, 2025, but the sold-out arena with near-15,000 fans and all the love from her players seemed to have spoken well.