WATCH: Former Hawkeyes star Kate Martin shocked when media tells her Lisa Bluder is retiring
Kate Martin, who spent the past six seasons playing for Lisa Bluder at Iowa and is now with the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces, said she was shocked to hear Bluder was retiring.
Martin found out during a scheduled media availability with the Aces, just hours after officially learning she made the team.
Cedar Rapids Gazette sportswriter Jeff Linder is the one who broke the news.
"I don't know if this is a shocker to you or not but within the last minute or two Lisa's announced her retirement," he said.
"What?" Martin said. "I'm very shocked."
“She’s coached at Iowa for as long as I’ve been alive,” Martin said of Bluder, “so she deserves a break and she deserves whatever she’s going to have in her future. And, you know, it’s family time, relaxation.”
Martin added, laughing, “Lord knows we put her through enough so I’m really happy for her. She will be missed. She’s one of the greatest of all time.”
Bluder's longtime assistant, Jan Jensen, was immediately her successor.
Jensen, who is also Martin's aunt, coached under Bluder for 24 seasons at Iowa and eight at Drake.
“There is no better person to lead this program than Jan Jensen and I am thrilled she will have the opportunity to build on the foundation established," Bluder said. "I’m committed to help her, and her staff, in whatever capacity they need moving forward.”
Jensen, who played her senior season at Drake with Bluder as her coach, said she is elated to begin her first head coaching job.
“I have been so blessed to have enjoyed an incredible ride with Lisa,” Jensen said. “That ride started when I was her player and continued for 33 years as I had the privilege to work alongside of her. I can’t thank Lisa enough for her mentorship, leadership, and most of all her friendship. I am so proud of all we accomplished and grateful for all the memories we created."
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