Section B · Page 8
The University Daily Kansan
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
kansas millennium athletes
Woodard still at top of Kansas record books
continued from page 1B
Woodard every day. Washington hired Woodard as an assistant coach before this season.
"She is one of the most honest, most pure people you'll ever meet," Washington said. "Everyone who meets Lynette loves Lynette. She will lift your spirit anytime you're around her."
An ambassador is born
Wonder why Amanda got so excited upon realizing who she'd just met?
Consider some of Woodard's accomplishments:
A four-time consensus All-American.
The all-time leading scorer in women's basketball (3,649 points).
Big Eight Player of the Decade for the 1980s.
Lynette Woodard celebrates with the 1984 U.S. Olympic team. Woodward was captain of the gold medal-winning team. Contributed photo.
■ Inducted into the Kansas/GTE Academic Hall of Fame.
Member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic team and recipient of 1984 and 1985 medals.
First female member of the Harlem Globetrotters.
Lynette Woodard presents a basketball to the Pope in the Vatican City. Woodard was the first woman to play for the Harlem Globetrotters. Contributed photo
"You had to see her to really appreciate her," Washington said. "She played so effortlessly, she just flowed, very graceful. She was way ahead of everybody."
That was obvious before Woodard ever arrived in Lawrence. Her graduating class at Witchia North High had fewer than 80 people, but Woodard's teams won two state championships and had a 59-3 record.
"They still talk about her here," said Dwayne Smith, Woodard's high school coach. "We've got her jersey retired, and there's a whole trophy case of her stuff."
Fieldhouse — the only woman to receive such an honor. Woodard is first all-time at Kansas in almost every significant category, including points, rebounds, field goals, free throws, steals, assists and games.
And that was a problem, that more people didn't have the opportunity to see her play. In an effort to get Woodard more exposure, Washington put together a rigorous schedule that included many top teams from across the country. The travel and competition was tough on the Jayhawks, who had as few as five women on scholarship during Woodard's playing days.
Her No. 31 jersey also is retired at Allen
"A pro coach came in to look at her one time," Washington said. "He had this grid, you know, where he'd mark down everything you did. Points, rebounds, assists, everything, to see how you influenced the action on the court. Well, after he was done watching her, he said he'd never seen a player score as high as she did."
"I mean, we played everybody." Washington said. "And those teams, the best we could find, would do everything they could to stop her. Double team, triple team, foul, anything."
Woodard's ability gave her a responsibility to promote women's basketball, something she took seriously. During the summer of 1981, she toured with nine other women players in Europe, an experience Woodard didn't enjoy.
When she was asked to return to Europe that winter, she accepted out of obligation.
"If Lynette hadn't returned, the people running the league said there was no hope," Washington said. "At that point, she had to go, it was bigger than herself. And that's what I mean when I say she was a pioneer, a true ambassador."
These days Woodard is coaching, but she still finds time for an occasional game.
Looking back
"We play all the time," said senior preseason All-American Lynn Pride. "It goes back and forth, she wins some, I win some."
Pride isn't the only one who wants a shot at Woodard.
"You should see the dads when she goes to recruit," Washington said. "They all want to play her, see if she's really that good. And believe me, she is. She can still play."
Washington worries that Woodard's accomplishments will be forgotten.
"And that's sad, because everything she's got, all these awards and honors and everything else, she's earned and then some," Washington said. "But we have to keep talking about it. If we don't, some of that will be lost."
People always will talk about Woodard. Legends are never forgotten. People talk about athletes like Woodard because of
their accomplishments. But the ones who know Woodard talk about her because of the way she did it.
"It's something that every coach dreams about." Washington said. "She was an incredible player and worked at everything she did. She knew more about the game than anybody I've ever coached and was the easiest to work with. She was a joy to coach then, and she's a joy to work with now."
Edited by Jamie Knodel
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