Story perspectives

Bruce Pearl's Misnames Draw Criticism on Women's Day

3/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

Bruce Pearl, a CBS Sports analyst, misnamed Iowa star Caitlin Clark as Caitlin Smith during a pregame Big Ten Championship Game segment.
He also misnamed longtime coach Lisa Bluder as Lisa Blunder.
The misnaming drew criticism on International Women’s Day.
Iowa, coached by Jan Jensen, lost the championship to UCLA 96-45.
Jensen acknowledged her team's struggles, stating they were mentally and physically overwhelmed during the game.

History

Historical Context

International Women's Day, established by the United Nations in 1977, traces its roots to early 20th-century labor movements advocating for women's rights. The first observance occurred on March 19, 1911, with over a million participants across Europe. Recent misnaming of athletes like Caitlin Clark and Lisa Bluder highlights ongoing challenges in recognizing women's contributions, underscoring the need for accurate representation in sports and broader society.

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Story summary

Bruce Pearl, a CBS Sports analyst, misnamed Iowa star Caitlin Clark as Caitlin Smith during a pregame Big Ten Championship Game segment.
He also misnamed longtime coach Lisa Bluder as Lisa Blunder.
The misnaming drew criticism on International Women’s Day.
Iowa, coached by Jan Jensen, lost the championship to UCLA 96-45.
Jensen acknowledged her team's struggles, stating they were mentally and physically overwhelmed during the game.

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