Iowa Women

The University of Iowa launched its women’s basketball program in 1974, with Lark Birdsong as its first head coach. In the 1974–75 season, the fledgling Hawkeyes compiled a 5–16 overall record, registering their first win against Minnesota. Birdsong coached through the 1978–79 season, guiding the program to its first winning season, although detailed statistical documentation remained limited in the pre‑NCAA era governed by the AIAW. Judy McMullen succeeded Birdsong and led the team for four seasons amid growing institutional support and the rise of Title IX—though wins remained modest, the program’s infrastructure and competitive identity began to form.

When C. Vivian Stringer arrived in 1983, she revolutionized the program. By 1985, Iowa sold out Carver-Hawkeye Arena with 22,157 fans to watch Ohio State—a landmark moment that highlighted both Stringer’s success and growing community support for the women’s game. Over her 12 seasons, Stringer amassed a stellar 269–84 overall record, including a dominant 169–45 Big Ten mark (.790), and achieved ten 20-win seasons and nine NCAA Tournament berths.

Under Stringer, Iowa captured six Big Ten regular-season titles (1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993) and reached the Elite Eight twice (1987, 1988) before breaking through in 1993 with a 27–4 record. That year, the Hawkeyes advanced past Old Dominion, Auburn, and Tennessee to make the program’s first Final Four, where they narrowly lost 73–72 in overtime to Ohio State. Stringer later earned induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame and became the first coach to lead three different programs to Final Fours.

Following Stringer’s departure to Rutgers in 1995, Angie Lee took over on the Iowa sideline. Although her tenure did not match Stringer’s highs, Lee continued the program’s competitive traditions. She led Iowa to a Big Ten championship in her first season, another regular-season title in 1998, and a conference tournament title in 1997. During those years, Iowa remained in NCAA postseason play, setting the stage for the consistency that would follow under the next coach.

Lisa Bluder took over the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2000 and became the program’s most enduring figure. Over 24 seasons, she amassed 528 wins, making her Iowa’s all-time winningest coach. Her teams posted winning records in 23 of her 24 seasons, including 22 postseason appearances, 18 NCAA tournaments, and five Big Ten Tournament titles (2001, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024), along with regular-season titles in 2008 and 2022. Bluder herself earned multiple accolades: Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2001, 2008, and 2010, and Naismith Coach of the Year in 2019.

One of the defining stars in her era was Megan Gustafson, who in the 2018–19 season averaged 27.8 points and 13.4 rebounds on 69.9 percent shooting. Gustafson earned National Player of the Year honors, powered Iowa to a 29–7 record, won the conference tournament, and propelled the team to the Elite Eight, where they lost to eventual national champion Baylor. Her No. 10 jersey was retired by Iowa in 2020.

In 2020, Bluder recruited Caitlin Clark, triggering an era of unprecedented success. Across four seasons, Clark redefined the program—and women’s college basketball at large—in both performance and cultural resonance.

2020–21: Clark’s freshman year saw Iowa post a 20–10 overall record and 11–8 in Big Ten play, finishing sixth. The Hawkeyes reached the Big Ten Tournament final but lost to Maryland. They held a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament (Riverwalk Region) and ultimately advanced to the Sweet Sixteen, where they were eliminated by UConn, 92–72. Clark averaged over 20 PPG, became the first D‑I player to record 1,000 points and 300 assists in a season, won USBWA and WBCA Freshman of the Year, and broke arena scoring records.

2021–22: Iowa improved to 24–8 overall and 14–4 in Big Ten, sharing the regular-season title with Ohio State. They won the Big Ten Tournament, where Clark earned MOP honors. Despite earning a No. 2 seed (Greensboro Region) in the NCAA tournament, the team was upset in the second round by #10 seeded Creighton, 64–62. Clark led the nation in both scoring and assists, earned Big Ten Player of the Year, and was a unanimous All-American.

2022–23: The Hawkeyes went 31–7, 15–3 in conference, and claimed their second straight Big Ten Tournament title, with Clark again named MOP. As a No. 2 seed (Seattle Region) in the NCAA tournament, they beat Southeastern Louisiana, Georgia, Colorado, and Louisville to reach Iowa’s first Final Four since 1993. In the National Semifinals, Iowa upset undefeated defending champion South Carolina 77–73, snapping their 42-game win streak; Clark scored 41 points. Iowa fell to LSU 102–85 in the championship game, however. Clark led all tournament scorers with 191 points.

2023–24: The Hawkeyes had their best season: 34–5 overall, 15–3 in conference, earning the program’s first-ever No. 1 seed and were overall #2 in the NCAA Tournament. Iowa won a third consecutive Big Ten Tournament title. In the NCAA tournament, they defeated LSU in the Elite Eight 94–87 to reach a 2nd consecutive Final Four; Clark scored 41 points and had 12 assists. In the National Semifinals, the Hawkeyes outlasted UConn 71–69 to reach the championship game for a second straight year; Clark scored 21 points. Despite Clark scoring 30 points, Iowa lost 87–75 to unbeaten South Carolina in a rematch of the previous seasons Final Four. By season’s end, Clark amassed 3,951 career points—making her the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I history—men or women—alongside 548 made three-pointers and over 1,140 career assists. Following her impact, Iowa officially retired her No. 22 jersey on February 2, 2025, becoming the third program number to be retired.

Throughout these four seasons, Iowa’s cumulative record stood at 109–30, with Clark eight-time All‑America, three-time Big Ten Player of the Year, three-time Nancy Lieberman and Dawn Staley Award winner, and two-time Naismith and Wooden Player of the Year.