Winthrop’s Athletic Director, Ken Halpin, has been a very busy man. Not only did he re-hire men’s head basketball coach Pat Kelsey, he also hired former interim women’s head basketball coach, Lynette Woodard.
Lynette Woodard is a pretty remarkable women and athlete. For those of you who aren’t familiar with her, let me tell you–she’s kind of a big deal!
First off, Woodard was the first female member of the Harlem Globetrotters.
She won 2 state basketball titles at Wichita North High School.
Woodard played college basketball at the University of Kansas and was a 4 time All-American.
She averaged 28 points per game and ended her 4 year career with over 3,000 points!
She is also the first KU women to have her jersey retired.
In 1984, Woodard won a gold medal with the United States Women’s Basketball Team in the Los Angeles Olympic Games.
She is an inductee of the National High School Hall of Fame (1985), the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame (1990), the Basketball Hall of Fame (2004) and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (2005).
When the WNBA was newly founded, our new coach played for the Cleveland Rockers.
There’s nothing cooler than a super successful, accomplished, bada** woman!
I can’t be the only person who is super excited about the future of our women’s basketball program. After a rough season, I have no doubt Woodard can turn things around and bring our school lots of success.
Good luck Coach, and congratulations on your new position!