"Runs the city" - Caitlin Clark hypes former Iowa coach Lisa Bluder's recognition at Kinnick Stadium

Caitlin Clark had a three-word message for former coach Lisa Bluder as she got a standing ovation at a venue where she never coached. The all-time winningest coach in Big Ten history (265-145) was welcomed by loud cheers in Kinnick Stadium as the Hawkeyes football program opened the season at home against Illinois State on Saturday.

Bluder received a homage in the first half's two-minute warning, with the crowd going wild over her.

Clark reacted to the post Iowa Women's Basketball shared on Instagram with three words explaining the impact Bluder had during her 24 years with the Hawkeyes.

"Runs the city," Caitlin commented.

@iowabb - Instagram post

Lisa Bluder's last two seasons were joyful as she and Caitlin Clark led the Hawkeyes to back-to-back NCAA Tournament championship games. They couldn't take the final stop in either season, but the Clark-Bluder tandem created a terrific team.

She spent 40 seasons coaching in women's college basketball. Bluder finished her career with 884 career wins, including 528 with Iowa. After Bluder's retirement, Jan Jensen replaced her.

Under her guidance, Clark became the phenom set to mark an era in the WNBA, becoming the all-time scoring leader in NCAA history while shooting her way to the pros.

Lisa Bluder compared Caitlin Clark to Maya Moore

During Caitlin Clark's first month in the WNBA, Lisa Bluder talked about how impactful the young guard can be in the lives of her youngest fans. Clark is always willing to take time to sign autographs and meet fans, which drew a comparison to her idol, Maya Moore.

"She's (Caitlin Clark) definitely making a difference in kids' lives," Bluder said (via CBS Sports). "For her, Maya Moore was a huge role model growing up. So now she's the Maya Moore of this generation. And she understands that. She understands how important that was to her. To get that autograph after the game, to get that hug, to take that picture with."

Clark, then 12, had the chance to meet Moore after a Minnesota Lynx game, an interaction that she remembers very well, although no picture or video was taken.

Now, Clark's the one that young fans look up to. She's having a terrific rookie season in the WNBA, and the future looks promising for the young Indiana Fever star.