“I think you all have inspired me as much as I have inspired you.”
That's what superstar guard Caitlin Clark said Wednesday night to more than 7,000 Hawkeye University fans who packed into Carver-Hawkeye Arena to celebrate the team's second consecutive NCAA Final Four appearance.
The crowd, made up of fans of all ages, many wearing Clark's name and number, cheered for the senior, returning players, coaches and managers when he was announced.
The full lineup gathered for the celebration, with head coach Lisa Bruder and seniors Clark, Kate Martin, Gabby Marshall, Molly Davis and Sharon Goodman addressing the large crowd.
After the celebration, Clark wandered around for more than 30 minutes as hundreds of enthusiastic children, most of them young girls, handed out hats, posters, signs and T-shirts and celebrated his immortal name. He was signing an autograph.
They shouted her name endlessly and she answered as many words as she could.
Those lucky enough to receive Clark's coveted autograph marched out of the arena with big smiles on their faces.
Blair Merrick, 7, and her sister Blaine, 11, were among those who received autographs from the team.
“I feel really happy, I'm so happy I want to cry right now,” Blair said.
Alyssa Noss, who attended several games over the past two seasons, stayed with her daughter until the arena was empty.
“My daughter is a huge fan of Caitlin Clark, and her friend is a huge fan of Gabby Marshall,” Noss said. “They adore everyone. This team is really great.”
more:Iowa State announced that Caitlin Clark's number 22 will be retired, making her the third player in the history of the women's basketball program to have it retired.
University of Iowa President Barbara Wilson, Athletic Director Beth Goetz and Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague also attended the celebration at the Hardwood Grove.
Goetz made sure Clark's number 22 would hang forever in the rafters, eliciting a long roar from the Carver crowd. Teague opened the festival by proclaiming April 10, 2024 in Iowa City as “Iowa Women's Basketball Day.”
more:Kim Reynolds says Iowa women's basketball star Caitlin Clark 'changed women's sports forever'
“You changed the game so far,” Wilson said. “You changed the face of college athletics. You created special memories for countless families. And you left an indelible mark on our university.”
Bruder acknowledged the impact the Iowa women's basketball team has had on younger kids.
“Right now, thousands of girls and boys across this country are saying, 'I want to be like them.'”
Last words from seniors
When asked what he wanted people to remember from that time, Marshall said, “I want (my fans) to remember how hard I worked.” “I have always given my all on the court and in everything I do in life. Everyone matters here and it speaks to the culture that Coach Bruder has built. We truly are a family here. is.”
“You have to believe in yourself, because if you don't, no one will believe in you,” Martin said.
“It's just amazing!” Davis said of the fan support. “So to go from having about 1,500 people in the stands per game to 15,000 people per game and being able to be a part of that is really special and gratifying.”
more:The WNBA is counting on Caitlin Clark to make a breakthrough as the Indiana Fever gets most of the nationally televised games in 2024.
“Our coaches really value academics and want to be in a place that supports that and values that more than basketball itself,” Goodman said about balancing academics and basketball. “They want us to be strong women and women who do more than that.”
“I think you guys have inspired me as much as I've inspired you guys. You guys have made my dreams come true every day, so I'm forever Thank you,” Clark said in his final address to his fans. “Thank you. It was a very special time and this place will always be my home.”
Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for Press-Citizen. You can contact him at:rhansen@press-citizen.com Or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.
Mark Ray covers high school sports for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Email maray@press-citizen.com or follow us on Twitter/X @themarcszn.