Bluder at 50: ‘As long as it’s fun, I’m going to keep doing it’

IOWA CITY - It's not an easy juggling act.

Mother of three. And high-profile coach.

“It's not going to get easier,” University of Iowa women's basketball coach Lisa Bluder said Wednesday, a day after signing a contract extension that runs through the 2017-18 season. “But as long as it works for my family, and as long as it's fun, I'm going to keep doing it.

“I'm very blessed. A lot of people don't enjoy their jobs. But I do.”

Bluder, 50, has enjoyed steady success at Iowa, posting a 211-132 mark with eight NCAA Tournament appearances. The Hawkeyes were 22-9 last season, their best record in 15 years, and their fourth consecutive season with 20-plus wins.

“(The extension) was just a statement, us sitting down at the end of the season and saying let's put together a new package,” said UI Athletics Director Gary Barta. “I know she wants to be here a long, long time. I'd like for her to be here a long time. This is where we ended up.”

The extension gives Bluder peace of mind. She said it also enhances recruiting.

“When people know you're going to be the coach, and that there won't be a coaching change, it makes a big difference,” Bluder said.

Bluder's children - Hannah, Emma and David - are growing up and active.

When Bluder was hired in 2000, she was pregnant with Emma, and Hannah was a toddler. Now, Hannah is five years from graduation at Solon High School.

“The kids enjoy being part of the Iowa basketball family,” Bluder said. “But they're involved in activities, and I have to miss a lot of it. It's tough. It's something I'll have to weigh down the line.”

Barta said Bluder's contract has ”no significant changes.”

“We've just taken a look at starting now for seven years, increases in compensation that are very in line with what's happening across the country. So some incentives throughout the contract, most of which are in there, some have been tweaked a little bit.”

Bluder's staffers (associate head coach Jan Jensen, assistants Jenni Fitzgerald and Shannon Gage, and director of operations Abby Emmert) are on one-year contracts, and Bluder confirmed all will return in 2011-12.

So do four starters - Jaime Printy, Kamille Wahlin, Kelly Krei and Morgan Johnson.

“I feel like we're in really good shape for the future,” Bluder said. “We've got a great recruiting class (top 11 by ESPN's hoopgurlz.com, featuring Samantha Logic), and we have two (junior) commitments. We have a new practice facility and a new weight room.

“I'm really excited with where we're headed.”