April 21, 2009
- Iowa and the Big Ten Network
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
- gohawks.com
- 2008-09 Media Guide
IOWA CITY, Iowa — When University of Iowa women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder refers to a home-court advantage, the Hawkeye’s impressive won-loss record inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena comes to mind.
Iowa was 13-2 at home during the 2008-09 season, including an 8-1 record against Big Ten competition. Over the last 35 games inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa has won 29 times. It boasts a league record of 19-3 during that period.
That home court edge could get even stronger in years to come with the planned revitalization of Carver-Hawkeye Arena, which opened in 1983.
“The renovation will impact recruiting a lot,” Bluder said. “I think it will make great improvement in our recruiting. Players look at facilities. They look at commitments to programs, so the Carver renovation will improve both of those areas for us.”
That’s good news for Iowa women’s basketball fans. In Bluder’s nine seasons as head coach, the Hawkeyes have won 61-percent of their games (169-109) with four seasons of 21-or more victories, six trips to the NCAA tournament and two berths in the WNIT.
One benefit to the Carver renovation will be the addition of a practice facility. Another will be state-of-the-art strength and conditioning quarters.
“It will give us a better strength and conditioning area so our athletes can become better athletically,” Bluder said. “It will also give our players an opportunity to shoot more at their will because we’ll have more space. It’s going to help our current players and also future recruiting.”
Editor’s Note: To learn more about the plans to revitalize Carver-Hawkeye Arena, or to make a gift or a pledge to this important effort, click HERE or call Darryl Borcherding, Director of Development — Intercollegiate Athletics, at the UI Foundation, (319) 335-3305 or (800) 648-6943. You may also reach Darryl by e-mail at darryl-borch@uiowa.edu.