A Hawkeye Fan’s Thank You Letter to Iowa’s Caitlin Clark

Dear Caitlin,

As an entire state begins to process your decision to enter the WNBA Draft after this, your final season at Iowa, I wanted to be one of many to say thank you. Stars as bright as yours don't often begin their journey here in Iowa, and we will never forget watching you shine.

As a native Iowan, you know how dearly we hold our collegiate sports teams here. We don't have an NBA or an NFL team in Iowa, so for many, the Hawkeyes are the team we follow the closest. Sports superstars seem like faint, untouchable objects to many of us. Something so rare that we feel as if we'll never get to experience it ourselves. But you gave us that experience. You became that generational talent other fan bases dream of, and you were ours.

We watched as your game grew to levels reserved for video game cheat codes. The 'Logo Three' became not just a reality in most games, but a logo on t-shirts and posters. Fans flocked to see you because you were fun to watch. There were highlights nearly every night. But then, the rest of the country began to notice too. Your game shot to new heights and this Iowa team began to win. Win like they'd rarely won before. Big Ten Tournament Titles. A Final Four. The National Championship game! These were dreams reserved for fans of schools NOT named Iowa.

And as our dreams, and yours, came true, the spotlight burned even brighter. What will she do next? How can she top last season? Can she break all the records? You not only answered those questions, you did it all with grace, and a smile on your face. The moment was never too big and I'll never understand how.

But Caitlin, perhaps your greatest gift is what you have given to so many young people in Iowa and across the nation. You have taught young girls, and boys, that if they dream, and work hard, they can achieve anything. After wins, and loses, you sign posters and jerseys. You've shown them that heroes are people too. Long after your playing days are done, this may be your biggest legacy in Iowa.

So on your official Senior Day in Iowa City this Sunday, my family will be watching and cheering. My two daughters who never used to watch sports with their dad, will join me to see "what Caitlin does next." Thank you for bringing so much joy into our lives. Thank you for doing all this here in the state of Iowa. We can't wait to see where your basketball journey will take you next. Indianapolis isn't that far of a drive, right?

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