As Iowa basketball star Caitlin Clark storms toward more college basketball history in the final games of the Hawkeyes season, women’s basketball legend Lynette Woodard is asking that the NCAA shows a bit of “respect” to the history of women’s hoops.
While Clark took hold of the NCAA women’s basketball all-time scoring record earlier this month from Kelsey Plum and now sits at 3,617 points, she has not surpassed Woodard’s career points record of 3,649, which the NCAA does not recognize.
That is because Woodard, who played at Kansas from 1978-81, competed in an era when women’s basketball was sanctioned by the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) and not the NCAA.
Former Kansas basketball All-American Lynette Woodard
“I want the NCAA governing body to know that they should respect the [AIAW] players, respect the history. Include us and our accomplishments,” Woodard said during the ESPN2 broadcast of Kansas vs. Kansas State on Sunday. “This is the era of diversity, equity and inclusion. They should include us. We deserve it.”
The NCAA has had an inconsistent policy in terms of what records it does and does not recognize from that era and Clark’s record season has drawn more of a spotlight on the issue, especially as she now chases Pete Maravich’s all-time scoring record of 3,667 points.
Caitlin Clark has become a mainstream sports superstar (left inset) in part because of critics such as ESPN analyst Jay Williams (right inset).
Caitlin Clark has reached top heights of sports — just ask her critics
Guard Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes answers questions during a press conference after breaking the NCAA womens all-time scoring record during the match-up against the Michigan Wolverines.
Woodard isn’t mad about Clark’s historic season, but the legendary women’s basketball player is using the moment to point out the issue.
“Caitlin is having a wonderful, sensational career, and when there is a high tide, all boats float,” Woodard told the Washington Post. “There are so many things she is making people aware of, and I think it’s a great thing. But I just hope that if the call letters ever changed on ‘NCAA,’ her records might be blended.”
The expectation is that Clark will pass Woodard’s record and likely surpass Maravich as well with Iowa having two more games left in its season, including a home game on Sunday.
Iowa star Caitlin Clark.
Clark has helped set another record for the season finale, making it the most expensive women’s basketball game on record for WNBA and college, TickPick told CNN.
The most expensive seat stands at $3,853.
News
Chennedy Carter SHAKEN UP After Hard Fall, Slow To Get Up | Chicago Sky vs Indiana Fever | WNBA
Chennedy Carter SHAKEN UP After Hard Fall, Slow To Get Up | Chicago Sky vs Indiana Fever | WNBA. Indiana Fever vs. Chicago Sky rivalry is gift…
CONFUSED Refs Don’t Know What’s Going On After Angel Reese Fouled! Chicago Sky vs Indiana Fever WNBA
CONFUSED Refs Don’t Know What’s Going On After Angel Reese Fouled! Chicago Sky vs Indiana Fever WNBA. WNBA star Caitlin Clark blasted for ‘flop’ complaint against Chicago…
Chicago Sky pull off thrilling comeback over Indiana Fever as Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark nab double-doubles
Chicago Sky beat Indiana Fever 88-87 in intense rematch between Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark Basketball fans pack Wintrust Arena, pay high prices to watch highly-anticipated matchup. CHICAGO…
🤐 DOUBLE TECHS, Angel Reese & NaLyssa Smith After Angel Scores | Chicago Sky vs Indiana Fever WNBA
🤐 DOUBLE TECHS, Angel Reese & NaLyssa Smith After Angel Scores | Chicago Sky vs Indiana Fever WNBA. Chicago Sky beat Indiana Fever 88-87 in intense rematch…
Fans exposed Angel Reese for getting away with breaking obvious rule but Chicago rookie still says Caitlin Clark has a ‘special whistle’
In the aftermath of comments that Caitlin Clark has, social media went searching for examples of Reese not getting a call. The one the internet seems to…
Caitlin Clark was challenged by a teammate in front of the team during Indiana Fever practice
WNBA and Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark was challenged by teammate NaLyssa Smith. The challenge occurred in front of the entire team during the day’s practice. The challenge began after an intense shooting…
End of content
No more pages to load