Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/469096
105 "I am delighted to present Lisa Bluder with the Carol Eckman Award," said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. "Lisa is a talented coach and teacher whose unmatched commitment to her student-athletes has enriched their collegiate experience as well as prepared them for future success in life. rough her example during her 31 years as head coach, she embodies the spirit of the late Carol Eckman and has le her own unique mark in furthering the game of women's basketball." Bluder's impact at Iowa was felt right away as she guided the Hawkeyes to a Big Ten Tournament title and was named the WBCA Regional Coach of the Year. Her impact and success has not been limited to the court, however, as she has also played an integral part in the success of her student-athletes off of the court. Under Bluder, Iowa student- athletes have been named Academic All-Big Ten 67 times, including a program-best eight honorees in 2011 and 2012. e 67 honorees equal the third-highest total in the Big Ten during the last 14 years. Bluder will be formally recognized during the fih annual WBCA Awards Show, which will be held at 4:30 p.m. (CT) Monday, April 6, in the grand ballroom at the Tampa Marriott Waterside. is event is part of the WBCA National Convention and is held in conjunction with the NCAA® Women's Final Four® in Tampa Bay. T he Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) honored University of Iowa head women's basketball coach Lisa Bluder with one of its highest accolades, naming Bluder the winner of the 2015 Carol Eckman Award. e Carol Eckman Award is presented annually to an active WBCA member coach who exemplifies Eckman's spirit, integrity, and character through sportsmanship, commitment to the student- athlete, honesty, ethical behavior, courage, and dedication to purpose. e award is named in honor of the late Carol Eckman, the former West Chester State College coach, who is considered the "Mother of the Women's Collegiate Basketball Championship." Eckman organized the first women's basketball championship at West Chester in 1969, and continued to garner recognition and support for the women's game until her death from cancer in 1985. "is honor is meaningful because of who Carol Eckman was, and the longevity of the award, and what it stands for," said Bluder. "I am very honored." Bluder is currently in her 15th season at the helm of the Iowa program, and is the all-time winningest coach in school history. Since taking over at Iowa, Bluder has been named the Big Ten's Coach of the Year three times, and has helped guide the Hawkeyes as the only team in the conference to earn a bid to the NCAA tournament in each of the past seven seasons. MARCH SCHEDULE March 1 Minnesota March 4-8 at Big Ten Tournament (Hoffman Estates, Ill.) March 20-23 NCAA First/Second Rounds (Campus Sites) March 27-30 NCAA Regionals (TBA)