I’ve let the trip to Cleveland marinate for a few days now. What an incredible run this team took us on regardless of when you hopped on board. As Iowa fans, things like this don’t happen to us. The way the ladies pulled out those victories against SC (‘23), LSU, and UConn.
In Dallas, the vibe was fantastic and that was what I consider the true beginning of the takeover as there was excitement before, but that is when I personally realized how big this actually was. Then this entire season was just surreal. 55k in Kinnick, sellouts at home and on the road, the tv ratings bonanza, leading ESPN, leading the SNL cold open the other night, etc.
I’m sure a lot of people thought this was just women’s basketball being pushed to further some woke agenda, but I don’t see it as that at all. Caitlin Clark was magical on the court. Those tournament games were some of the most fun I’ve ever had viewing any Iowa game as a fan.
When you see the Indiana Fever sellouts, moving the Vegas game to a larger arena to accommodate demand, and the television schedule for the Fever you can’t help but be proud of what one of our own has done. I cannot say that I will be following the Fever closely at this point next year, but the fact that it is on the table is wild.
We were all so lucky to have been a part of this. Lisa Bluder, Gabbie Marshall, Kate Martin, and the GOAT all built something so memorable and everlasting that we were truly lucky to have happen to the university we all love. I wish riches upon everyone who was a part of this. I can quite confidently say that we’ll never see anything like this again.
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