Iowa women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder loves the progress of the women’s game, particularly over the last few years.
It helped that her own star Caitlin Clark was at the forefront of the mainstream movement. But, like any other sport, Bluder talked about the officials and where improvements could be made.
It starts with getting younger and fresher.
“I think that officiating is a topic that’s always talked about,” Bluder said. “So I think we need to invest in some younger officials coming along and learning the game and having the courage to get into this game because it is not easy. I don’t know how you could find anybody to be an official, to be quite honest. It is a horrible job.
“So I think we need to really work on that. I think that’s an important part of our game.”
Sportsmanship, location, styles, etc. You can basically name a bunch of different things that can be tweaked or improved upon, but Bluder always comes back to making sure the game is called correctly.
“Sometimes I feel like we worry so much about the sportsmanship aspect, which is important and every coach should want that for their program, but it shouldn’t be the ultimate focus,” Bluder said. “That’s what I hear sometimes is that’s the number one thing we’re going to talk about in our officials is the sportsmanship. Let’s talk about calling a screen. Let’s talk about calling a charge. You know what I mean?”
What’s next? Well, the men’s participants receive revenue called a “unit” from the tournament. The women’s tournament is reportedly set to implement that system as well.
Although, as Bluder put it, it was overdue.
“I think that’s an element,” Bluder said. “I know we’re going to get units coming up here pretty soon. That can’t come soon enough. Why are we waiting to put that in? Let’s do it now. Why wait? I think change has to happen a little bit quicker than what — they want to move.
“But they’re listening now, and that’s a good start, right? They’re listening, and they’re understanding there is a value to women’s basketball. And that’s a good start.”
It’s a great step forward for the women’s game. But again, like any other sport, the officials should be a priority to make sure the product is at its peak.
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