‘So happy I want to cry’: 7,000 fans celebrate Caitlin Clark, Iowa women’s basketball team

“I would say you all inspired me as much as I inspired you.”

That was how superstar guard Caitlin Clark opened her remarks to the more than 7,000 University of Hawkeye fans who packed into Carver-Hawkeye Arena Wednesday night to celebrate the team’s second-straight NCAA Final Four appearance.

The crowd — comprised of fans of all ages and many donning Clark’s name and number on their back — roared for seniors, returning players, coaches and managers as they were announced.

The full lineup was on hand for the celebration, with head Coach Lisa Bluder and seniors Clark, Kate Martin, Gabbie Marshall, Molly Davis and Sharon Goodman speaking to the large crowd.

When the celebration wrapped up, Clark hung around to sign autographs for more than half an hour as hundreds of eager children — most of them young girls — held out hats, posters, signs, and T-shirts for her to immortalize.

They shouted her name endlessly, and she responded to as many as she could.

Those lucky enough to receive Clark’s coveted signature were beaming as they marched out of the arena.

Blair Merrick, 7, and her sister Blayne, 11, were among those who got autographs from the team.

“I feel real happy, so happy I want to cry right now,” Blair said.

Alyssa Noss, who attended several games over the last two seasons, stayed with her daughter until the arena emptied.

“My daughter is a huge Caitlin Clark fan, and her friend is a huge Gabbie Marshall fan,” Noss said. “They idolize all of them. This team is just incredible.”

More: Iowa announces it will retire Caitlin Clark’s No. 22 jersey, third retired number in women’s basketball program history

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 hang in the rafters forever, drawing a lengthy roar from the Carver crowd. Teague declared April 10, 2024, as “Iowa Women’s Basketball Day” in Iowa City at the beginning of the festivities.

More: Kim Reynolds says Caitlin Clark, Iowa women’s basketball ‘changed women’s sports forever’

“You’ve changed the game that you’ve played,” Wilson said. “You’ve changed the face of collegiate athletics. You’ve created special memories for countless families. And you left an indelible mark on our university.”

Bluder credited the effect the Iowa women’s basketball team has created for younger kids.

“Now there’s thousands and thousands of girls and boys all around this country that say, ‘I want to be like them.’”

The final words from the seniors

“I want (fans) to remember how hard I worked,” Marshall said when asked what she hoped everyone remembers about her time. “I’ve always given it my all on the court and in everything that I do in life. Everybody matters here, speaking to the culture Coach Bluder has built. We’re really a family here.”

“You have to believe in yourself, because if you don’t, no one else will,” Martin said.

“It’s absolutely awesome!” Davis said of the fan support. “I mean, coming from a place where there’s about 1,500 people in the stands to 15,000 a game, it’s really special and happy to be a part of it.”

More: WNBA counting on Caitlin Clark bump as Indiana Fever get most national TV games for 2024.

“Our coaches really value academics and so to be at a place where they support that and value that even above basketball itself,” Goodman said on balancing school and basketball. “They want us to be strong women, and women that are doing something more than less.”

“I would say you all inspired me as much as I inspired you and you allowed me to live out my dream every single day and for that, I’m forever thankful,” Clark said in her final remarks to fans. “Thank you. It’s been very special and this place will always be home to me.”

Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.

Marc Ray covers high school sports for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Email him at maray@press-citizen.com or follow him on Twitter/X @themarcszn.