Former Hawkeye Lynn Kennedy Passes Away

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa women’s basketball family mourns the loss of former Hawkeye standout Lynn Kennedy, who passed away on July 3 at the age of 61.

A cornerstone of the program's foundational success, Kennedy played on Hall of Fame head coach C. Vivian Stringer’s first four Iowa teams from 1984–87. Her career culminated in a historic 1986–87 senior campaign, during which she helped guide the Hawkeyes to a Big Ten Championship and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.

An impact player from the moment she arrived in Iowa City, Kennedy led the Hawkeyes in rebounding as a rookie in 1984. The New Jersey native went on to lead the team in steals (79) and average 12.1 points and 6.8 rebounds as a junior, ultimately earning honorable mention All-Big Ten honors in both her junior and senior seasons.

Known for her defensive prowess, Kennedy still shares the school and Carver-Hawkeye Arena record for steals in a single game, totaling nine takeaways against Indiana on Jan. 29, 1984. She finished her decorated Iowa career with 843 points and 614 rebounds, a rebounding total that still ranks 25th in program history.

A Celebration of Life for Kennedy is scheduled for Tuesday, July 21, from 4-6 p.m. (ET) at Cotton Funeral Home, located at 1025 Bergen Street in Newark, New Jersey.