Photo credit: University of Kansas I ACTUALLY WROTE THEM LETTERS

Woodard remembers writing the Harlem Globetrotters as a child. In her letters she would pour out her love for basketball and tell whoever read the letters of her dream of joining the organization.

“Coincidentally, when I was playing for the Olympic team, several members of the Globetrotters were in attendance looking for the team’s newest member,” said Woodard, whose cousin, Hubert “Geese” Ausbie, was a Globetrotter but retired before Woodard beat out nine other women to become the team’s first woman player.

The Globetrotters welcomed her with open arms. “They were nothing but wonderful,” said Woodard. “The focus was never on me as a woman but always on coming up with the latest innovative shots,” she added.

According to teammate Ovie Dotson, Woodard earned the right to become the first female Globetrotter, and she became an inspiration to the next generation of women players. “Women’s basketball was on the rise, and women and young girls at that time had no female role models besides college players and Olympians. Bringing Lynette on board was great for her as a player and it boosted the Globetrotters’ reputation,” Dotson said. “Lynette has always been a leader and a hard worker. She’s a true pioneer for women’s basketball.”

During her two-year stint with the team she continued to hone her skills but enjoyed other perks like meeting movie stars and interacting with fans. “Being a part of that

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Photo credit:University of Kansas

Photo credit: USA Basketball

“Lynette loves the game of basketball. She has experienced the game at the highest level. She will be a wonderful ambassador for Winthrop. She is going to be the kind of example for young players that will positively impact them down the road. She’s honest and sincere, and that’s the kind of person I’d want representing my program. Winthrop’s program is in excellent hands.”

Marian Washington Retired 31-year head coach of the University of Kansas’ women’s basketball team; Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

talented group brought my childhood dream to reality,” said Woodard.

MAKING MY OWN PATH

Life after women’s college basketball looked different in the 1980s compared to today. There was no Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) where players would continue at a higher level. Most players went overseas to play professionally, just like Woodard. “There was no path. I had to make my own path since there wasn’t one,” said Woodard.

After several successful seasons in Italy and Japan, Woodard worked on the New York Stock Exchange, as the athletics director for the Kansas City, Missouri, school system and then came out of retirement to play two seasons in the WNBA.

Photo credit: Harlem Globetrotters International

Far left; Woodard at the University of Kansas; member of the U.S. Olympic basketball team; winning the Olympic gold; first female Harlem Globetrotter; and on the court as number 16.

She then turned her sights to coaching. She served as an assistant coach under her former mentor, Marian Washington, at the University of Kansas before serving as interim head coach for one season. She started developing her coaching style, something she says is still evolving.

I FINALLY GOT THAT FEELING

In the years following, Woodard cared for her late mother, worked at Wichita State University with TRiO and GEAR-UP programs, and moved to Houston, Texas, searching for a place and opportunity that felt right for the next phase of her life.

“I’ve had the good fortune of making friends along the way, including my friendship with Kevin Cook [Winthrop’s former women’s basketball head coach]. We coached together in Kansas, and he called me in Houston, I’ll never forget, it was the day that Muhammad Ali died, to ask me about coming to Winthrop to serve as his assistant coach. When I got off the plane in Charlotte and saw the beautiful blue sky and the green grass I finally got that feeling for which I had been searching. I was moved, and I knew this was home now,” Woodard said.

BASKETBALL IS LIFE

Now in her first season as head coach of Winthrop’s program, she’s focused on changing the program’s culture. “I want these girls to win and enjoy it. I want us to work hard and play hard,” she said. “I want these players to have a will to win, possess good character, embrace their studies, be hard workers and team

Photo credit: Harlem Globetrotters International

“Lynette Woodard has accomplished what every young woman hopes to accomplish in her career. She was an All-American, two- time Olympian, two-time academic All-American, first female Harlem Globetrotter, the NCAA all-time leading scorer and had a very illustrious professional career. She has played on teams as a star, starter, 6th man, rotation player, role player and can relate in many ways. She knows what it takes to win and will be successful at Winthrop.”

Danny Manning Head coach of Wake Forest University’s men’s basketball team; retired National Basketball Association player; greatest player in University of Kansas’ men’s basketball history

players. That’s the bare minimum of what I expect. I expect a lot more,” said Woodard.

She also wants to instill in her players that basketball is life on many levels. “The game is relatable to life in almost every way. They will have to fight to be successful, just like in life, whether that’s getting a job, raising a family or going into business for themselves. The game gives you the highest highs and the lowest lows, just like life. You don’t collapse under the pressure, you work at it, ask for help when needed and keep fighting,” said Woodard.

But more importantly, Woodard wants her players to reach their dreams, whatever those may be. “We all have a gift and we all have dreams. Hold onto those dreams and don’t let life tell you otherwise. Take tiny steps to make those dreams reality. Find a way to make it happen. Live in the vortex.”

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