Lynette WOODARD

Lynette Woodard is one of the true pioneers of women's basketball. She took over the mantle from Cheryl Miller as the top player in the women's game. She played collegiately at the University of Kansas, graduating in 1981. Woodard made the 1980 U.S. Olympic team which did not compete. She then worked as a volunteer assistant coach at Kansas, while studying for a Master's degree. In 1984, Woodard earned a gold medal with the U.S. Olympic team. Her other international medals include gold from the 1979 Universiade, 1983 Pan American Games, the 1986 Goodwill Games, and the 1986 World Championships; and silver from the 1983 Universiade and 1983 World Championships. In 1985 she became the first female member of the Harlem Globetrotters. She later played professionally in Japan, and in 1997 joined the nascent WNBA with the Cleveland Rockets, and retiring in 1999 after a season with the Detroit Shock. Woodard was an attractive, poised, sophisticated women who was a delight with the media. She has since moved in to the financial sector, working as a consultant in Kansas.