Photo courtesy of Amy Milligan
The Iowa Women’s Basketball Team finished another incredible season and for two Greene County residents, they got to witness the final collegiate games of Caitlin Clark’s career.
Iowa Hawkeye fans Amy Milligan and Danille Curtis went to not only the Final Four game but also the National Championship game that the University of Iowa Women’s Basketball Team played in. Milligan was relieved when Iowa made it to the Final Four because she purchased both sets of tickets this past January, well before the tournament teams had been selected.
Curtis reflects back on seeing firsthand the impact that the popularity of Caitlin Clark had on people.
“Her stardom bringing so many people up to the level where women athletics should be, and I just think that’s huge. And it was so amazing to see so many young kids there at those games, and parents just holding them, and little babies even, and even boys that there just there, the inspiration that they’re getting, you know because of that. I would also say too, just so proud of that team of just wholesome young women really that are planning that game and being great role models.”
The ladies also shared other special moments including talking about Hannah Stuelke’s mom after the Final Four game that Hannah played a major role in winning that game. Other lucky moments were being in the third row for the public practices prior to the National Championship game, to looking for a restaurant and by happenstance got to welcome the Hawkeyes back to their hotel from their private practice and meeting other Hawkeye legends and the President of the University of Iowa in the restroom.
Milligan describes the two things that impressed her the most about the trip was when Caitlin Clark made a three-pointer in the Final Four game to see everyone in the arena erupt. The other moment was during the Saturday practice.
“They were finding fans in the crowd and they found this girl who was probably eight or nine, she was wearing a Caitlin Clark jersey, and she was with her mom. They asked her, ‘What does it feel like to be here to be watching Caitlin Clark?’ Her eyes were so big and her smile got so big, and she said, ‘Incredible.’ And I just felt that in my heart.”
Milligan and Curtis were grateful to be a part of history and an incredible season for the Iowa Women’s Basketball Team.