STrib: Ramblings on Clark's Visit to the Barn

[Ignatius L Hoops]

Caitlin Clark’s visit to Williams Arena vs. Gophers steeped in history and special timing

The explosion of popularity for women’s sports in general has provided the backdrop as Caitlin Clark and her Iowa teammates play before sellout crowds everywhere they go.

www.startribune.com

'Perfect moment'​

But it's not only Clark.

Yes, she's everywhere, reportedly raking in upwards of $800,000 in name, image and likeness (NIL) money, leading an Iowa team that has a great chance to return to the NCAA title game.

But to Nicole LaVoi, director at the University of Minnesota's Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport, it's more than that. Clark is riding the crest of a wave that's been building for a while.

"Caitlin Clark is coming along at a perfect moment," LaVoi said. "The return is there [for those who invest in women's sports], industry is getting involved. She's become the poster woman for all of it. It's exciting."

But not necessarily isolated.

 

[Chico Gopher]

She's the Taylor Swift of womens basketball. From everything I've heard, she's a great person in addition to being a great basketball player. Great for the sport and I applaud all the positive attention she's brought to womens sports in general.

That said, hope she has an off-night against the Gophers. Hopefully that would be enough to give our team a chance to spring the upset. I hope none of our fans embarrasses themselves by being an A-hole toward Clark, or any of the players or officials tonight. There's a line between being an avid fan and being the fan that makes everybody look bad.

 

[BigTenGuy]

She's the Taylor Swift of womens basketball. From everything I've heard, she's a great person in addition to being a great basketball player. Great for the sport and I applaud all the positive attention she's brought to womens sports in general.

Clark has some maturity issues on the court, but once the horn sounds, she has been a model WBB representative, which is truly amazing. No female college athlete has ever faced the sustained attention and sustained pressure that Clark has. She has been baited, trolled and criticized, in addition to being hailed and praised. And she has handled it all very well. But I suspect Clark will be relieved when the circus is over this year. Hopefully she can get through it with grace and class (and be off to the WNBA). She has been great for WBB.

 

[Maya_aflakpi]

 

[Maya_aflakpi]

 

[Maya_aflakpi]

 

[Maya_aflakpi]

 

[WayOfTheGopher]

Gophers should just keep giving her the ball and let her cook. It's already gonna be a loss, let's make it spectacular.

 

[LakevilleBro]

Clark is the nation's leading scorer AND the nation's assist leader.
Iowa is loaded with 3 point shooters, and they will be a tough draw in the NCAA tournament.

 

[Maya_aflakpi]

 

[Maya_aflakpi]

Gophers Fall to Iowa Hawkeyes: Reporter Maya Aflakpi Witnesses Historic Hoops by Caitlin Clark - GopherHole.com

MINNEAPOLIS—On February 28, there was a cold wind in the air over Minnesota with cloudy skies. It was the type of weather where you just hope your body somehow gets warm, teeth clenching as you try to keep yourself distracted. Two hours before game time, hundreds of bundled-up fans were outside...

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