A History of Iowa Women's Basketball in the NCAA Tournament
The University of Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team has a storied history, marked by periods of growth, landmark achievements, and the emergence of iconic figures. From its humble beginnings in the AIAW era to its current status as a national powerhouse, Iowa's journey reflects the evolution of women's basketball and the enduring impact of Title IX.
Early Years and the Stringer Era
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.
A pivotal moment arrived with the hiring of C. Vivian Stringer in 1983. Stringer revolutionized the program, transforming it into a consistent contender. 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. Under Stringer, Iowa captured six Big Ten regular-season titles (1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993) and reached the Elite Eight twice (1987, 1988).
The 1993 Final Four Run
The pinnacle of the Stringer era was the 1993 season. With a 27-4 record, the Hawkeyes advanced past Old Dominion, Auburn, and Tennessee to make the program’s first Final Four. In the national semifinal, they narrowly lost 73-72 in overtime to Ohio State. This marked the first time the Iowa Hawkeyes were in the Final Four.
Stringer was the first coach in college basketball history to take three different schools to the Final Four when she did so with Cheyney State in 1982, Iowa in 1993, and Rutgers in 2000 and 2007.
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Transition and the Angie Lee Years
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.
The Lisa Bluder Era: Sustained Success
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. In 2009, As part of their NCAA Tournament run, Iowa broke the NCAA all-time attendance record for the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament with a combined two-day total of 23,096.
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.
The Caitlin Clark Phenomenon
In 2020, Bluder recruited Caitlin Clark, triggering an era of unprecedented success and national attention.
- 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.
- 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. This was the one national championship game Iowa has been to. With Caitlin Clark dominating the entire season, they faced LSU in last year's title game and lost, 102-85. LSU defeated Iowa, 102-85, on April 2the highest-scoring national title game of all time.
- 2023-24: The Hawkeyes had their best season: 34-5 overall, 15-3 in conference, earning the program’s first No. 1 seed since 1992 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. The lone missing gem in Caitlin Clark's infinity gauntlet is a national championship. The Iowa phenom has broken the all-time Division I basketball scoring record, captured three Big 10 championships and won back-to-back Naismith National Player of the Year awards given to the best college basketball player in the country.
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Iowa's Final Four History
This is the third time the Iowa Hawkeyes will be in the Final Four. They are returning to the national semifinal where they beat South Carolina, 77-73, last year to advance to the championship game. They then lost the title game to LSU.
The Hawkeyes have yet to win a national championship in women's college basketball, so they have zero titles.
Facilities and Support
Carver Hawkeye Arena opens, housing all women's sports programs. The Gerdin Athletic Learning Center is built in 2003 to support the academic endeavors of all student athletes. In the summer of 2006 the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex (HTRC) opens in support of tennis, field hockey, and soccer; adding support service areas, practice, and competition facilities. The decade closes with the 2009 opening of the P. Sue Beckwith Boathouse. The Campus Recreation and Wellness Center (CRWC) opens in support of swimming and diving, boasting a 50-meter competitive swimming pool and an 18-foot-deep diving well. The James M. Hoak Family Golf Complex opens, housing state of the art indoor and outdoor practice facilities. Iowa’s indoor track and field practice and competition facility renovation is completed with a new state of the art banked track. The new Soccer Operations Building opens and is the second dedicated women’s athletics facility.
Title IX and the Growth of Women's Athletics at Iowa
Following the adoption of Title IX on June 23 1972, the University of Iowa elevated 12 women’s club sports to varsity status in 1973. That was only the beginning. With the unshakeable belief that a sport experience can truly empower a woman, Iowa Women’s Athletic Director, Dr. Christine Grant, continued to advocate for equal opportunities for women at the local, regional, and national level. She was a national voice, passionately educating and empowering leaders across the country to push for equal opportunities. Her work continues to inspire and motivate us to this day.
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