Lynette Woodard, a renowned figure in the world of basketball, has retracted her previous statements and officially acknowledged Caitlin Clark as the all-time scoring record holder in the history of NCAA. This shift in stance comes in response to the backlash that was sparked by her initial remarks.
Taking to Instagram after Iowa’s defeat to South Carolina in the national championship, Woodard publicly expressed her admiration for Clark and pledged her support for the young athlete throughout the remainder of her career.
In her Instagram post, Woodard clarified her remarks from a recent awards ceremony, stating, “No one holds Caitlin Clark’s accomplishments in higher regard than I do. This is evidenced by my acceptance of Iowa’s invitation to participate in Caitlin’s senior day. My intention was simply to convey that significant changes, both on and off the court, have made it challenging to compare statistical achievements from different eras. Each of these achievements is a unique snapshot in time. Caitlin currently holds the scoring record.”
Clark has surpassed Woodard’s scoring mark, which had been established before the NCAA officially recognized women’s basketball. Woodard’s collegiate career saw her playing for Kansas in the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW).
During the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association convention in Cleveland for the women’s Final Four, Woodard addressed the matter, remarking, “I was the hidden figure, but that is no longer the case. My record remained concealed from the public for 43 years. …I do not believe that my record has been broken because you can’t replicate what isn’t being replicated. So, unless you introduce men’s basketball and a 2-point shot, you know … but purely for your understanding, in order to assist me in spreading this message.”
Woodard had achieved an impressive 3,649 points during her four seasons with the Jayhawks from 1977 to 1981. Her resistance to the breaking of her record stems from the absence of a three-point line and differing regulations that were in place during her era, similar to those in men’s basketball.
However, Caitlin Clark has unmistakably taken advantage of the three-pointer throughout her collegiate career, sinking a total of 543 of them prior to the national championship game against South Carolina. Her current tally stands at 3,921 points and continues to grow.
Upon surpassing Woodard’s record, Clark was honoured by the Hawkeyes during a game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, where Woodard acknowledged her achievement.
In summary, Lynette Woodard’s public recognition of Caitlin Clark as the all-time NCAA scoring record holder marks a momentous occasion in the history of women’s basketball. This not only underscores the remarkable accomplishments of both athletes but also underscores the evolution and progress of the game over time. Woodard’s gesture serves as a commendable demonstration of sportsmanship and an acknowledgment of Clark’s exceptional talent and dedication.