“I would like to say that you all inspired me as much as I inspired you.”
That’s how star guard Kaitlin Clark opened her remarks to more than 7,000 Hawkeye fans who packed Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Wednesday night to celebrate the team’s second straight appearance in the NCAA Finals.
The crowd — made up of fans of all ages and many wearing Clark’s name and number on their backs — cheered on the seniors, returning players, coaches and managers as they were announced.
The full lineup was on hand for the celebration, as head coach Lisa Bluder and seniors Clark, Kate Martin, Gabby Marshall, Molly Davis and Sharon Goodman spoke to the large crowd.
When the celebration was over, Clark hung around signing autographs for more than a half-hour while hundreds of excited kids — mostly young girls — held up hats, stickers, signs and T-shirts to commemorate her.
They screamed her name endlessly, and she responded to as many as she could.
Those lucky enough to get Clark’s coveted autograph were jubilant as they exited the arena.
Blair Merrick, 7, and her sister Blaine, 11, were among those receiving autographs from the team.
“I feel really happy, so happy I want to cry right now,” Blair said.
Alyssa Noss, who has attended several games over the past two seasons, stayed with her daughter until the arena was empty.
“My daughter is a big Caitlin Clark fan, and her friend is a big fan of Gabby Marshall,” Noss said. “They all worship them. This team is unbelievable.”
more: Iowa State announced it will retire Kaitlin Clark’s No. 22 jersey, the third retired number in the history of the women’s basketball program.
University of Iowa President Barbara Wilson, Athletic Director Beth Goetz and Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague joined the team on the hardwood for the festivities.
Goetz confirmed that Clark’s No. 22 would remain hanging in the rafters forever, eliciting a long roar from the Carver crowd. Teague declared April 10, 2024, “Iowa Women’s Basketball Day” in Iowa City at the start of the festivities.
more: Iowa State’s Caitlin Clark women’s basketball ‘changed women’s sports forever’, Kim Reynolds says
“It changed the game I played,” Wilson said. “She changed the face of collegiate athletics. She created special memories for countless families. She left an indelible mark on our university.”
Balder credited the impact the Iowa women’s basketball team has had on younger kids.
“Now there are thousands and thousands of girls and boys all over this country saying, ‘I want to be like them.’”
The last word from the elders
“I want (fans) to remember how hard I worked,” Marshall said when asked what she hopes everyone remembers about her time. “I’ve always given my all on the field and in everything I do in life. Everyone matters here, and it speaks to the culture that Coach Bluder has built. We truly are a family here.”
“You have to believe in yourself, because if you don’t, no one else will,” Martin said.
“It’s so cool!” Davis said of the fan support. “I mean, from a place where there are about 1,500 people in the stands to 15,000 at the game, it’s really special and happy to be a part of it.”
“Our coaches really value academics, so they are in a place where they support and value that even above basketball itself,” Goodman said of balancing school and basketball. “They want us to be strong women, women who do more than less.”
In her final remarks to fans, Clark said: “I would like to say that you all have inspired me as much as I have inspired you and allowed me to live my dream every day, and for that I am forever grateful.” “Thank you. It was very special and this place will always be home to me.”
Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. It can be reached at [email protected] Or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.
Mark Ray covers high school sports for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter/X @themarcszn.
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