| | IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Lisa Bluder, who led Drake to four
consecutive 20-win seasons, Friday was named women's basketball
coach at Iowa.
In 10 years at Drake, Bluder posted a 187-106 record (.638) and
averaged 23 wins during the last four seasons.
Drake advanced to the NCAA Tournament in three of the last four
years and reached the semifinals of the Women's National
Invitation Tournament in 1999.
Bluder has a career record of 356-142 (.715), also recording a
169-36 (.824) mark in six seasons at St. Ambrose, an NAIA
school.
"We are extremely pleased and excited to have a coach of Lisa's
caliber join our staff," Iowa women's athletic director
Christine Grant said. "She's compiled an impressive record
during her career and we anticipate the same success at Iowa
that she achieved St. Ambrose and Drake."
Two seasons ago, Bluder registered her 300th victory at age 36,
becoming the fifth-youngest coach to reach that plateau.
"I am extremely proud and honored to be given the opportunity to
coach at the University of Iowa," she said. "I always said it
would take the perfect opportunity to make me leave Drake
University and I feel this is the perfect position with endless
potential."
Bluder inherits an Iowa team that went just 9-18 last season but
returns all five starters. | |
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