Caitlin Clark’s Pursuit of History: Lynette Woodard’s Scoring Record in the Spotlight

The outstanding guard for the Iowa Hawkeyes, Caitlin Clark, has the potential to create history in women’s college basketball.

While she’s already the NCAA women’s scoring record holder, there’s another milestone she’s closing in on: Lynette Woodard’s record.

Woodard, one of the most prolific scorers in college basketball history, amassed an impressive 3,649 points during her tenure at Kansas from 1978 to 1981. 

Despite surpassing Woodard’s career points total, Clark’s achievement is not officially recognized as the all-time women’s basketball record by the NCAA due to the era in which Woodard played.

With Clark just 32 points shy of Woodard’s record and several games left in the season, including conference and NCAA tournaments, the historic moment is imminent. However, Woodard is vocal about wanting recognition not just for herself but for all players who competed during the AIAW era.

In the current era of diversity and equity, Woodard spoke her views clearly during a recent ESPN broadcast of the Kansas vs. Kansas State game, highlighting the significance of inclusivity and appreciation for AIAW players and their accomplishments.

Caitlin Clark’s Impending Historic Achievement

The NCAA’s failure to recognize records from the AIAW era has sparked controversy, especially considering other instances where historical achievements have been acknowledged, such as in the case of Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer’s record-breaking coaching wins.

Despite the lack of official recognition from the NCAA, Woodard holds no bitterness toward Caitlin Clark for potentially breaking her record. 

In fact, she extends a warm welcome, expressing her congratulations and excitement at the prospect of Clark joining the ranks of record holders. As Clark inches closer to making history, Woodard’s advocacy serves as a reminder of the importance of honoring the contributions of past generations of players. 

Regardless of the NCAA’s stance, Woodard’s legacy remains an integral part of women’s basketball history, and her graciousness toward Clark’s impending achievement reflects the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie within the game.