Kristian Ferrell
The University of Iowa's women's basketball team has a rich history, with the program launching in 1974 under head coach Lark Birdsong. The team has experienced success over the years, including six Big Ten regular-season titles and two Elite Eight appearances under coach Stringer. In 2020, the recruitment of Caitlin Clark triggered an era of unprecedented success, with Clark's influence extending to the popularity of women's basketball at Iowa and in the WNBA. The team continues to thrive, with forward Hannah Stuelke selected to join the 2025 USA Basketball Women's Americup roster and the team set to compete in the second annual WBCA Showcase at Walt Disney World Resort. With a strong foundation and dedicated fan support, the Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team looks forward to future seasons with anticipation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of Launch | 1974 |
| First Head Coach | Lark Birdsong |
| Current Head Coach | P. Sue Beckwith, MD |
| Key Players | Caitlin Clark, Monika Czinano, Hannah Stuelke |
| Achievements | Six Big Ten regular-season titles (1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993), reached Elite Eight twice (1987, 1988), made it to the Final Four in 1993 |
| Home Ground | Carver-Hawkeye Arena |
| Seating Capacity | 15,400 |
| Recent Updates | The team will compete in the second annual WBCA Showcase at Walt Disney World Resort |
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What You'll Learn
Caitlin Clark and her impact on Iowa's success
Caitlin Clark, born on January 22, 2002, in Des Moines, Iowa, is regarded as one of the greatest female collegiate players. She began her basketball journey at a very young age and played in boys' recreational leagues as there were no girls' leagues for her age group. Clark also explored other sports like softball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, and golf before focusing on basketball.
Clark's talent and skill in basketball were evident from an early age. She joined All Iowa Attack, an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball program, at the age of twelve and played with them until she graduated high school. In her freshman season with the Iowa Hawkeyes, she led the NCAA Division I in scoring and earned All-American honors. As a sophomore, she became the first female player to lead Division I in points and assists in a single season, solidifying her unanimous selection as a first-team All-American.
Clark's impact on the Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team is undeniable. Her record-breaking performances and charisma not only elevated women's basketball but also significantly boosted the local economy. During her college career, she broke numerous records, including setting the Division I women's career and single-season records in points and three-pointers, and led the nation in points and assists. Clark's talent drew large crowds to sold-out arenas, increasing attendance and generating more economic activity for local businesses.
Clark's success on the court has been extraordinary, and she has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades. She was named the national female college basketball player of the year twice and was selected first overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA draft. In her rookie season in the WNBA, she continued her record-breaking streak, setting league single-season and single-game records in assists and becoming the first rookie to achieve a triple-double.
Clark's impact on the Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team extends beyond the court. Her popularity and success helped popularize women's basketball, a phenomenon dubbed the "Caitlin Clark effect." Clark's talent and celebrity status contributed a staggering $82.5 million to the local economy during her time at the University of Iowa, according to Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague. Clark's economic impact included not only ticket sales but also the increased revenue for local businesses, particularly restaurants and bars, on game days.
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Iowa's 1993 Final Four run
Stringer, a Hall of Fame coach, had been hired in 1983 to turn around the struggling program. In her first season, the Hawkeyes improved from 7-20 to 17-10. By her third season, the team had reached the NCAA tournament, and in her fifth, they started with a 22-0 record and were ranked No. 1. Despite these early successes, it wasn't until 1993 that Stringer and the Hawkeyes broke through to the Final Four.
The 1992-93 season was an emotional one for Stringer and the team, as Stringer's husband, Bill, passed away from a heart attack during the season. Stringer's leadership and the team's determination culminated in a memorable run to the Final Four, which included victories over highly-ranked opponents. In the second round, Iowa defeated No. 7 Old Dominion 82-56, followed by a Sweet 16 win over No. 3 Auburn 63-50. The Elite Eight matchup saw Iowa take down No. 1 Tennessee 72-56, avenging their earlier loss to the same team.
Iowa's Final Four matchup was against No. 1 Ohio State, a familiar opponent whom they had faced twice during the regular season, each winning their home games. The semifinal game was a close contest, with Iowa nearly securing a victory. However, they ultimately fell just short, losing 72-73 in overtime. Despite the heartbreaking loss, the 1993 season remains the pinnacle of Iowa's women's basketball program, with a quarter-century having passed since their first and only Final Four appearance.
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Iowa's 1974-75 inaugural season
The University of Iowa women's basketball team, the Iowa Hawkeyes, began its inaugural season in 1974–75. The team's first head coach was Lark Birdsong, who remained in the role until the 1978–79 season. In the 1974–75 season, the Hawkeyes had a 5–16 overall record, securing their first win against Minnesota.
Birdsong guided the program to its first winning season, although detailed statistical documentation from this pre-NCAA era is limited. The team was governed by the AIAW, and institutional support was growing alongside the rise of Title IX. Judy McMullen succeeded Birdsong as head coach and led the team for four seasons. During McMullen's tenure, the program's infrastructure and competitive identity began to take shape, and the team continued to build under her successor, Angie Lee.
Lee took over in 1995, following C. Vivian Stringer's departure to Rutgers. Stringer had arrived in 1983 and revolutionized the program. By 1985, Iowa sold out a game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena with 22,157 fans, showcasing the growing community support for the women's game. Over her 12 seasons, Stringer achieved ten 20-win seasons and nine NCAA Tournament berths, along with six Big Ten regular-season titles.
The Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team has continued to find success and has become a competitive force in collegiate athletics. The team plays its home games at the Carver-Hawkeye Arena, which has a capacity of 15,400 seats. The program has produced standout players such as Megan Gustafson and Caitlin Clark, who have contributed to the team's success and left a lasting legacy.
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Iowa's 2025 USA Basketball Women’s AmeriCup roster
The Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team will compete in the second annual WBCA Showcase at Walt Disney World Resort. University of Iowa forward Hannah Stuelke has been selected to join the 12-person 2025 USA Basketball Women's AmeriCup roster. The roster was announced following three days of trials at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.
The 2025 USA Women's AmeriCup Team includes Raegan Beers, Mikayla Blakes, Madison Booker, Audi Crooks, Joyce Edwards, Hannah Hidalgo, Flau’jae Johnson, Gianna Kneepkens, Olivia Miles, Kennedy Smith, Hannah Stuelke and Grace VanSlooten. Beers, Crooks, Johnson, Kneepkens and Stuelke will be making their competitive debuts with USA Basketball.
Kara Lawson of Duke University will serve as head coach, with assistant coaches DeLisha Milton-Jones of Old Dominion University and Jennie Baranczyk of the University of Oklahoma. The team will compete in the 2025 FIBA Women's AmeriCup from June 28 to July 6 in Santiago, Chile. The winner of the AmeriCup will earn a berth to the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup in Berlin.
The 2025 USA Women’s AmeriCup Team will open Group B with host nation Chile, followed by Colombia, Puerto Rico, and Mexico.
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Iowa's participation in the WBCA Showcase
The University of Iowa women's basketball team will compete in the second annual WBCA Showcase at Walt Disney World Resort, as announced by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association. The event will be held from Thursday, November 20 to Sunday, November 23, 2025, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida.
Iowa is one of eight teams participating in the showcase, alongside Baylor, Central Missouri, Davidson, Miami (Florida), Missouri, Washington State, and West Florida. Iowa will play two NCAA Division I games, facing Baylor on Thursday, November 20, at 8 p.m. CT, and Miami (FL) on Saturday, November 22, at 7 p.m. CT. All games will take place inside the State Farm Field House, which has a rich history of hosting prestigious men's and women's college basketball events, including the ESPN Events Invitational since 2006.
The WBCA Showcase is organised by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, a professional association founded in 1981 to support and celebrate women's and girls' basketball coaches and players. The association provides educational resources, networking opportunities, and a unifying voice for coaches, while also promoting the advancement of the sport.
The showcase will feature an exciting weekend of college women's basketball, with Iowa and the seven other participating teams showcasing their talent and skills. The event will be a celebration of women's athletics and is expected to offer a unique and positive experience for the athletes, coaches, and fans in attendance.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team is still active and represents the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa, United States.
The University of Iowa launched its women's basketball program in 1974, with Lark Birdsong as its first head coach.
The team plays its regular-season games at the 15,400-seat Carver-Hawkeye Arena, sharing the venue with the men's basketball and wrestling teams.
Caitlin Clark and Monika Czinano, collectively nicknamed "The Law Firm," were key players in Iowa's early-2020s success. Clark became the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I history, and her influence extended to the popularity of women's basketball in Iowa and the WNBA.
In the 2023-24 season, the Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team had their best season, earning the program's first-ever #1 seed and finishing as the overall #2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. They won a third consecutive Big Ten Tournament title and reached the championship game, ultimately losing to South Carolina.
