Caitlin Clark Bids Farewell to Iowa Fans in Emotional Celebration

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Caitlin Clark bid a heartfelt farewell to Iowa fans in a grand event at Iowa’s Carver-Hawkeye Arena, surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd on Wednesday. The celebration was not just for Clark's accomplishments but also to commemorate the Hawkeyes’ impressive back-to-back national runner-up finishes in the NCAA Tournament. Addressing the approximately 8,000 fans in attendance, Clark, the all-time leading scorer in major college basketball history and the consensus national player of the year, expressed her gratitude. “I would say you’ve all inspired me as much as I inspired you,” she said emotionally. “And you allowed me to live out my dream every single day, and for that, I’m very thankful. It’s been very special, and this place will always be home to me.”

Expected to be the top pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever, Clark finished her remarkable career with 3,951 points and 1,144 assists, earning All-American honors each season. Her journey began in front of modest crowds during her freshman year, with attendance limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pinnacle of the evening came when Iowa athletics director Beth Goetz announced the retirement of Clark’s jersey number 22, making her the third player in program history to receive this honor. “I think they like you,” Goetz remarked to Clark, prompting a humble and grateful response. “It’s super incredible, something I’m very thankful for,” Clark said. “There’s been a lot of good 22s who have come before me and played for this program, whether it was Kathleen Doyle or Sam Logic. That number holds a lot of weight, far beyond me. I’m really grateful, and it will be a special day when it happens.”

Iowa’s head coach, Lisa Bluder, reflected on the team’s remarkable journey to consecutive national championship game appearances. “This year’s was also special, because nobody thought we could do it,” she shared. “Nobody thought we could repeat what we did last year, except these women up here.”

The sizable turnout for the event was a testament to the Hawkeyes’ ability to draw crowds throughout the season. Selling out every home game, they attracted 238,620 fans during the regular season alone. Notably, the “Crossover at Kinnick” outdoor exhibition game in October at Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium, which set the women’s basketball single-game attendance record, drew 55,646 fans.

The enthusiasm of the fans was palpable, with Bluder encouraging them to continue their support. “Please come back next year,” she urged. “Please fill Carver-Hawkeye Arena next year.” Fans were eager to participate, lining up outside the arena hours before the event began. Among them was Angie Leyh of Atlantic, Iowa, who brought her 10-year-old daughter Lana to celebrate her birthday at the event. The Leyhs, who had previously attended Iowa’s NCAA Tournament opener against Holy Cross, made the three-hour drive for this special occasion. “We were going to drop everything to make sure she could be here,” Angie Leyh said, her daughter holding up a sign with her birthday wish list, which included meeting Clark, getting an autograph, or a photo. “All of this is amazing.”

After the event, Clark took the time to circle the arena floor, signing autographs—a familiar sight for fans who have followed her career closely. During the event, she reflected on how she and her two brothers idolized athletes growing up. “I wanted to be like them,” she recalled. “Those were the people who allowed me to dream and be in moments like this.”

For Lana Leyh, Clark’s success has been a source of inspiration. Holding up a sign that read, “I want to be just like you,” she echoed the sentiments of many young fans. “It’s a dream come true, and it’s made her dream bigger,” Angie Leyh said, reflecting on what the Hawkeyes’ recent success meant to her daughter.