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Caitlin Clark left an undying legacy with the Iowa Hawkeyes in the four years she played with her college basketball team. While with the Hawkeyes, Clark not only became one of the most famous athletes in the world but also changed the face of women’s basketball forever.
The Iowa Hawkeyes will pay their respects to their former superstar next month when they finally hang Caitlin Clark’s jersey in the rafters. On Feb. 2, the Hawkeyes will retire Clark’s jersey.
Ahead of her jersey retirement, Clark spoke to David Eickholt from 247 Sports. The former Hawkeyes star said that although she wasn’t an emotional person, the retirement ceremony might make her more emotional.
“I am not usualy a very emotional person, but I fell like this will probably make me a little more emotional,” Clark said. “Now that I’m not actually playing, I feel like I’ll be more emotional even though I’m not a super emotional person.”
“But honestly, I’m just very grateful and thankful to have played at a place that loves women’s basketball in the way it does. It has really helped me flourish.”
In four seasons with the Hawkeyes, Clark averaged 28.4 points per game, shooting 46.2 percent from the field and 37.7 percent from the 3-point line. She ended her college career as the NCAA Division I all-time scoring leader and a three-time scoring and three-time assists leader.
Caitlin Clark’s college coach weighs on Iowa Hawkeyes’ decision to retire Iowa star’s jersey
Caitlin Clark played four years under Lisa Bluder, who coached the team for 25 years. Interestingly, Bluder retired from coaching the same year that Clark joined the WNBA, perhaps the perfect ending to a legendary partnership.
During the four years Clark played under Bluder, they developed strong connections and more profound respect. On Feb. 2, the Hawkeyes will retire Clark’s jersey and Lisa Bluder has heaped praise on her former superstar player.
Bluder said Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes were good role models for women’s sports, and because of this, fans can finally pay attention.
“You want good role models in sports,” Bluder said. “You want good role models in television. I think our team was that. I think Caitlin was that. I’m just so glad that people are paying attention now and understanding the value of women’s sports.”
Lisa Bluder has consistently supported the Fever star. She previously defended Clark’s selection as Time’s Athlete of the Year. Per USA Today, Bluder said that Clark had “helped women’s sports in a way that nobody has helped women’s sports, maybe since Billie Jean King.”
Caitlin Clark also paid respect to her former coach when Bluder decided to retire from coaching. The former Hawkeye coach remains the winningest coach in the Big Ten history in her forty-year coaching career.
Edited by William Paul
