Caitlin Clark, who recently became major college basketball’s all-time leading scorer and the consensus national player of the year, bid farewell to Iowa fans alongside her teammates in a celebration at Iowa’s home arena celebrating the team’s second consecutive national runner-up finish in the NCAA Tournament. During the event, Clark expressed gratitude to the fans for their support and shared that the experience had been very special for her. The event also included the announcement that Clark’s jersey number 22 would be retired, making her the third player in program history to receive this honor. Despite initially playing in front of sparse crowds due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Clark became an All-American in every season of her career, finishing with impressive statistics. Iowa’s head coach, Lisa Bluder, praised the team’s back-to-back runs to the national championship game, emphasizing their determination and ability to overcome challenges.
Throughout the season, the Hawkeyes drew large crowds, selling out every home game and setting a women’s basketball single-game attendance record during an outdoor exhibition game at Kinnick Stadium. The team’s success continued in the NCAA tournament, with two sold-out games at home and a high attendance during the first weekend. The remarkable fan support was evident during the celebration event, with over 8,000 fans in attendance and lines forming outside the arena hours before the event began. Iowa’s athletics director, Beth Goetz, announced the retirement of Clark’s jersey number, a gesture that Clark described as incredible and humbling. The support and enthusiasm of the fans were further demonstrated by the presence of families, such as Angie Leyh and her daughter Lana, who traveled to the event to celebrate Lana’s birthday and express admiration for Clark.
At the event, Clark circled the arena floor to sign autographs for fans, reflecting on how she had idolized athletes growing up and now found herself inspiring others. The impact of Clark’s success and the team’s achievements on young fans like Lana was evident in the birthday girl’s sign expressing a desire to be like Clark. The event served as a testament to the lasting influence of athletes on aspiring young individuals and the power of sports in uniting communities and inspiring future generations. Iowa’s ability to draw large crowds and maintain strong fan support throughout the season highlighted the team’s impact on the local community and the enduring legacy of players like Clark. As Clark moves on to the next chapter of her basketball career in the WNBA, her time at Iowa will be remembered with admiration and gratitude by fans, teammates, and coaches alike.
