Caitlin Clark of Iowa Surpasses Lynette Woodard's Division I Scoring Record

February 29, 2024

Caitlin Clark of Iowa Surpasses Lynette Woodard's Division I Scoring Record

In under two weeks following her achievement as the all-time leading scorer in NCAA women's basketball, Caitlin Clark has now officially surpassed Lynette Woodard's career total of 3,649 points, securing the overall Division I scoring record. This milestone occurred during Iowa's 108-60 victory over Minnesota, marked by a three-pointer from Clark in the fourth quarter with less than five minutes remaining.

Notably, Woodard's collegiate career at the University of Kansas, spanning from 1977 to 1981, is not documented in the NCAA records due to the era when women's sports were not officially recognized by the NCAA. Instead, women's basketball fell under the jurisdiction of the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women.

Following Clark's breaking of Kelsey Plum's NCAA record on February 15, Woodard released a statement extending her congratulations to Clark for her "sensational career" and expressing anticipation for witnessing her "score many more points for years to come." This period also serves as a crucial moment for Woodard to highlight the achievements of women whose accomplishments often go unnoticed today due to historical technicalities.

"Well, it's not about what I personally want people to know; my aim is for the NCAA governing body to recognize and respect the players, their history, and include us along with our achievements," Woodard expressed during the ESPN broadcast of the Kansas vs. Kansas State game on Monday. "In this era of diversity, equity, and inclusion, they should encompass us. We've earned it."

When asked about what message she would like to convey to Clark upon officially surpassing her record, Woodard responded graciously, saying, "Hey, congratulations. Welcome to the party."

In addition to setting the Division I women's scoring record, Woodard went on to participate in two Olympics, securing a gold medal with Team USA in the 1984 Los Angeles Games. Adding to her impressive achievements, she made history by becoming the first female member of the Harlem Globetrotters in 1985. Although the WNBA had not been established at that time, she joined the league's inaugural season in 1997, signing with the Cleveland Rockers at the age of 37.

In a recent interview with Yahoo Sports, President of Legends of the Ball Elizabeth Galloway-Mcquitter also expressed her desire to extend congratulations to Clark while emphasizing the importance of ensuring players like Woodard receive the rightful recognition they deserve.

"You can't truly understand how far the game has come without acknowledging those pivotal moments—the names, faces, and events that paved the way for our current status. That's why history matters. We need to remember those who first opened the doors and kept them open," Galloway-Mcquitter remarked. "Records are meant to be broken, but Lynette should have had the opportunity to pass that baton to Caitlin. It's her baton to pass."

Notably, Woodard's unofficial record falls short of the 4,061 points scored by Pearl Moore in the late 1970s at Francis Marion College, a Division II school, underscoring the long history of remarkable talent in women's basketball.

The accomplishments of Woodard, Moore, and numerous other women had faded from memory. The excitement surrounding Clark served to revive interest in their stories, much to Woodard's delight.

As for Clark, her pursuit of records is still ongoing. With 3,650 career points, she stands the chance to potentially surpass the NCAA's overall scoring record held by LSU legend Pete Maravich, needing just 18 more points in the upcoming game against Ohio State on Sunday.

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Caitlin Clark of Iowa Surpasses Lynette Woodard's Division I Scoring Record

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