Lisa Bluder Position: Head Coach Experience: 10th Year Alma Mater: Northern Iowa, 1983

One of the most respected and admired coaches in collegiate basketball, Lisa Bluder is in her 10th season as head women's basketball coach at the University of Iowa and 26th year overall. Under her direction, the Hawkeyes have advanced to eight post-season appearances (six NCAA and two WNIT). The dean of Big Ten coaches, Bluder has posted a 169-109 (.608) record at Iowa and her 25-year record stands at 525-251 (.677). Her 169 wins at Iowa are the second-most of any Hawkeye women's basketball coach, behind Hall of Famer C. Vivian Stringer (269 wins). Also, Iowa's 18 NCAA Tournament appearances are the third-most in the Big Ten.

Bluder is a two-time Big Ten and WBCA Regional Coach of the Year (2001 and 2008). Bluder guided the Iowa Hawkeyes to back-to-back 21-11 overall records the last two years. Iowa won a share of the Big Ten regular season championship in 2008 and finished in a three-way tie for second in 2009. The Hawkeyes boasted a 26-5 home record, advanced to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals and appeared in the NCAA Tournament the last two seasons. Under her tutelage, all five Hawkeye starters to all-Big Ten status and point guard Kristi Smith to ESPNs 3-Point Shootout at the Men's Final Four in Detroit last year. Smith was a consensus first team selection for the second-straight year, becoming only the seventh Hawkeye to earn first team all-conference laurels in consecutive seasons.

Additionally, Bluder helped develop Kachine Alexander's game last year, who improved her averages by 7.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists from her freshman to sophomore seasons. In 2008-09, Alexander became the first Big Ten female student-athlete to post two triple-doubles in a season. Alexander, who stands 5-9, also broke the school single-season record for free-throw attempts (176) and collected the fourth-most rebounds (282) in a season by a Hawkeye.

Two years ago when the Black and Gold captured a share of the Big Ten championship, Bluder was honored as the Big Ten and WBCA Regional Coach of the Year, and notched her 500th career victory at Penn State on Feb. 10, 2008. Four Hawkeyes earned all-Big Ten laurels under Bluder's direction: Kristi Smith was recognized on the first team, Johanna Solverson was named to the second team, Wendy Ausdemore earned honorable mention accolades, while Megan Skouby was selected as the "Sixth Player of the Year". Additionally, Smith garnered honorable mention all-America laurels.

During her nine years at Iowa, Bluder has guided the Black and Gold to six Big Ten first-division finishes. Iowa's 88 league wins the last eight seasons rank as the fourth-highest total in the conference behind Purdue (113), Ohio State (107) and Michigan State (91). Furthermore, she has mentored the Hawkeyes to four 20-plus-win seasons during her nine-year tenure, including the last two seasons.

She has coached six different Hawkeye players to all-Big Ten first team status, five each to the second and third teams and five that were named all-freshman, including a Rookie of the Year (Skouby). Additionally, four former Hawkeyes continued their playing careers professionally after graduation. Cara Consuegra, Lindsey Meder and Crystal Smith all had stints in the WNBA. Smith and Johanna Solverson are currently playing professionally overseas in Greece.

As a team, Iowa has ranked in the top 20 nationally in 3-point accuracy the last three years and rated in the top 10 in free throw accuracy three of the last four seasons and assists two of the last four campaigns. Last year, Iowa ranked fifth nationally in free throw percentage. Additionally, the Hawkeyes have ranked in the top-half of the Big Ten Conference in scoring and assists every season Bluder has been on the Iowa sidelines. Five of Iowa's top seven single-season assist averages and free throw percentages in the Hawkeye history books have come under Bluder.

In 2007-08, Iowa broke three school records and tied another. The Hawkeyes established new records for field goal percentage in a half (17-23, .739; at Wisconsin), consecutive 3-pointers in a game (seven; vs. Minnesota) and most 3-pointers attempted in an NCAA Championships contest (22; vs. Georgia). Iowa equaled the school mark for triples made in an NCAA Championships game (nine; vs. Georgia). In 2008-09, Iowa shattered its single-season free throw percentage record, which it previously broke in 2006-07, by shooting .792 (462-583). The new free throw mark also was a Big Ten single-season record.

Lisa Bluder is a two-time Big Ten Coach of the Year and WBCA Regional Coach of the Year (2001 and 2008).

Bluder garnered her 300th Division I victory vs. Indiana on Feb. 26, 2006. Three years ago, she reached two additional milestones, coaching in her 700th career game and her 200th on the Iowa sidelines.

"Our success has always been based on playing up-tempo basketball," said Bluder. "We want to put lots of points on the board. The fast break is our number one offense. That type of basketball is exciting for fans and its fun for our players. When we do get into a half court game, everyone has a role. Our goal is to have four or five players averaging in double figures. We want everyone involved. Defensively, we work hard at never letting anything be easy for our opponent. We play tough player-to-player defense hoping to capitalize on steals to set up our break."

In 2006-07, Iowa broke or tied 12 school and/or Carver-Hawkeye Arena records, including shattering the school's 3-point (.402) and free throw (.788) percentage single-season records. Iowa's free throw percentage and 3-point field goal percentage ranked second and fifth in the country and first and third in Big Ten single-season history, respectively.

Bluder mentored a young and mostly inexperienced group of Hawkeyes to a 17-12 overall record and a fifth place finish in the Big Ten with a 10-6 mark in 2005-06. Even with a season plagued by knee injuries, the Hawkeyes persevered with strong senior leadership and talented play from its freshman class. Bluder orchestrated one of her best years of coaching, with a team that tied for 15th in the nation with the most underclassmen on its roster. Undaunted, Iowa's freshmen class shined and helped propel the Hawkeyes to an NCAA Tournament at-large berth.

Iowa's 2005-06 squad was led by senior Crystal Smith and freshman Megan Skouby. Smith was named consensus all-Big Ten first team, earned all-conference defensive team accolades and was named to the WBCA Region VI all-America team. Skouby was named Iowa's third Big Ten Freshman of the Year recipient and also earned all-Big Ten second team laurels. In addition to the sensational play of Smith and Skouby, Iowa's supporting cast helped lift Bluder and the Hawkeyes to another successful season.

"My players are truly an extension of my family," said Bluder. "I care about them in all aspects of their lives. I want to help them succeed as athletes, but especially as people. I have an open-door relationship with my players. Hopefully, they benefit from my perspective as their coach, as a former athlete and as a mother. They can come to me with anything and get help. Along with that aspect, I consider myself a disciplinarian. I don't have a lot of rules, but I do have a lot of expectations. Those revolve around moral and ethical values that are the foundation of our program."

In 2004-05, Bluder mentored Iowa to a 23-10 overall record and advanced to the WNIT Final Four. The 23 victories are the most by a Bluder coached Iowa team and the most victories since the 1995-96 season. Additionally, the 23 triumphs are the second-most by Bluder in her 19 years coaching at the Division I level. She had two 25-win seasons while coaching Drake.

Lisa Bluder is Iowa's second all-time winningest coach.

Iowa started the 2004-05 campaign 13-0 and were the last Division I undefeated team standing. Bluder navigated the Hawkeyes through a difficult schedule and ultimately finished the season ranked 38th in the RPI. Jamie Cavey earned second team all-Big Ten laurels, while Crystal Smith earned third team recognition. Krista VandeVenter burst onto the scene and became Iowa's all-time freshman single season rebounding leader and earned a spot on the all-Big Ten Freshman team.

In 2003-04, Bluder and the Hawkeyes finished with a 16-13 record while playing the 14th most difficult schedule in the nation and tied for fourth in the league with a 10-6 mark. In addition, eight of its 16 victories came on the road, marking the most road wins by a Hawkeye team since the 1993-94 season. Led by seniors Jennie Lillis and Kristi Faulkner and junior Jamie Cavey, Iowa was one of only two Big Ten squads to have three players selected to all-Big Ten teams. The trio became the first to score 450 points each in a single season at Iowa. The trio helped led the Hawkeyes to their 15th NCAA Tournament appearance.

Bluder mentored her third Iowa team to another exciting run in the Big Ten Tournament and WNIT in 2003. The seventh-seeded Hawkeyes opened the league tournament with a win over Northwestern. In the quarterfinals, Iowa treated its fans to a thrilling upset victory over 13th-ranked and second-seeded Minnesota. The Hawkeyes opened postseason play with wins over Saint Louis and Marquette before falling to the Missouri Valley Conference co-champion Creighton Bulldogs in the WNIT.

In 2001-02, Bluder coached the Hawkeyes to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year and a fourth place finish in the Big Ten. Iowa finished with an 18-11 overall record and a 10-6 mark in league play.

In her first season with the Black and Gold, Bluder transformed a struggling program into a 21-game winner. Iowa received the Big Ten's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament with a victory over Purdue to capture the 2001 Big Ten Tournament. Furthermore, the Hawkeyes advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament after receiving a No. 4 seed and finished the season ranked No. 16 in the final Associated Press poll.

Competing in one of the most demanding conferences in the country, Bluder directed the Hawkeyes to a 21-10 overall record, a second-place finish in the conference regular season and captured Iowa's second-ever Big Ten Tournament title. Iowa played the 16th toughest schedule in the country and finished the season ranked 18th in the RPI.

Individually, Cara Consuegra, Lindsey Meder and Randi Peterson were all voted to the all-Big Ten first team in 2001. Consuegra was voted the Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player, while Peterson was selected to the all-Big Ten Tournament Team. Meder was voted the Big Ten Player of the Year by the Women's Basketball News Service and became the first Iowa female basketball player to be named to the Verizon Academic All-America first team.

Bluder's success earned her numerous accolades. She became Iowa's third coach to be named Big Ten Coach of the Year. She was also honored as the College Coach of the Year by the Women's Basketball News Service and was named the Women's Basketball Coaches Association District VI Coach of the Year.

Her presence on the Iowa sidelines turned heads across the country. Virginia and USA Basketball Head Coach Debbie Ryan chose Bluder to help coach team USA as an assistant coach at the 2001 World University Games in Beijing, China.

The USA team marched into the gold medal game against host-team China and won 87-69. Team USA finished the games with a 7-1 mark.

"This was a new experience for me," commented Bluder after winning the gold medal. "Just to reach the gold medal game was a thrill. It's something I will always remember. What I think is really wonderful about this experience is each game I felt team USA improved. I was honored to be chosen to represent the United States and experience international coaching for the first time."

Bluder has reached six coaching milestones while coaching Iowa. During her first season, she collected her 200th victory at the Division I level when the Hawkeyes defeated Minnesota. During her third season, Coach Bluder captured career win No. 400 in Iowa's triumph over Iowa State and victory No. 450 when Iowa topped Creighton in the first round of the WNIT. She garnered triumph No. 300 and No. 350 at the Division I level with Iowa's regular season finale win over Indiana in 2006 and upset victory over 13th-ranked Ohio State on Feb. 12, 2009, respectively. Finally, Bluder won career game No. 500 vs. Penn State on Feb. 10, 2008.

Bluder, alongside her husband David and daughter Hannah, was introduced as the Hawkeyes' fifth head coach in front of a packed press room in Carver-Hawkeye Arena on April 7, 2000. The native of Marion, IA, came to Iowa after spending 10 successful seasons at Drake University.

Bluder compiled a 187-106 (.638) record at Drake in 10 seasons and a 169-36 (.824) record in six seasons at NAIA St. Ambrose University. She currently sits 32nd in career winning percentage (.678) for Division I active coaches.

During her tenure at Iowa, three former players have gone on to become coaches. Randi Peterson is the head coach at Coe College, while Cara Conseugra and Jennie Lillis are assistant coaches at Marquette.

On January 22, 1998 at Evansville, Bluder, at the age of 36, notched her 300th career win, which tied her as the fifth youngest coach to reach the 300-victory plateau.

"Our success has always been based on playing up-tempo basketball. We want to put lots of points on the board. The fast break is our number one offense. That type of basketball is exciting for fans and its fun for our players. When we do get into a half court game, everyone has a role. Our goal is to have four or five players averaging in double figures. We want everyone involved. Defensively, we work hard at never letting anything be easy for our opponent. We play tough player-to-player defense hoping to capitalize on steals to set up our break." Head Coach Lisa Bluder

In her 10 years as Drake University women's basketball coach, Bluder brought great success and tradition to the Bulldog program and established herself as one of the top coaches in the country. She led Drake to five 20-plus-win seasons in the last six years, including five post-season appearances. She guided the Bulldogs to eight Missouri Valley Conference tournament appearances, reaching the semifinals six times and winning the tournament four times. Bluder was also named the Conference Coach of the Year three times at Drake.

Bluder's 1999-2000 Drake squad registered a 23-7 record. The Bulldogs won both the MVC regular-season and tournament titles and earned the school's fourth trip to the NCAA Tournament under Bluder.

The 1997-98 team finished the season 25-5, Bluder's best record at Drake, and won the MVC regular-season title, recording Drake's best conference finish with a 17-1 record. The Bulldogs also won the MVC Tournament and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the third time in four years. She was named the MVC Coach of the Year for the second straight year as Drake was ranked No. 22 in the final Associated Press ranking.

In 1998-99, Drake posted a 21-10 record in the MVC. It marked the fourth time in five years the Bulldogs reached the 20-win plateau, while advancing to the semifinals of the WNIT Tournament.

Bluder began her coaching career at St. Ambrose University, where she coached six successful seasons building the Bees into a NAIA powerhouse. During her tenure at St. Ambrose, Bluder recorded a 169-36 (.824) mark and guided the Bees to four straight national tournaments, including two consecutive Final Four appearances. The 1990 St. Ambrose team was ranked No. 1 and Bluder was named the NAIA Converse Coach of the Year.

She is also committed to her team's academic success. While at Drake, she coached two Academic All-America Players of the Year in current Hawkeye Associate Head Coach Jan Jensen (1991) and Tricia Wakely (1996). As a team, the Bulldogs ranked fourth in 1995 graduation rate success among teams ranked in the USA Today/CNN final top-25 Coaches' Poll. Wendy Ausdemore, who was a 2009 graduate, was a two-time academic all-District honoree.

While on the Iowa sidelines, student-athletes have been named academic all-Big Ten 37 times by a total of 16 different players. In 2004, a team record eight student-athletes were named academic all-Big Ten. Additionally, Lindsey Meder was a two-time Academic all-American (2001, 2002). Student-athletes who have played under Coach Bluder have a 100 percent job placement following their career, and all of her recruited athletes have earned degrees.

Bluder's successful coaching record speaks for itself, however her commitment to her players extends far beyond the records book.

During the summer of 2003, Bluder was elected Division I Midwest Representative of the WBCA Board of Directors. This season marks her seventh season on the WBCA Board of Directors. She has also served on the WBCA Kodak All-American selection committee for four terms and the Midwest Regional Advisory Committee for the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championships.

A graduate of Linn-Mar High School in Marion, IA, Bluder was a three-year starter at Northern Iowa. She graduated from UNI in 1983 with a bachelor's degree in marketing. On Sept. 4, 2008, Bluder was inducted to the Linn-Mar Athletic Hall of Fame.

Bluder and her husband David have two daughters, Hannah (12) and Emma (9) and one son, David (7).