Born and bred in the heartland of Indiana, ardent basketball fan Michelle Lennis has long pledged her loyalty to Purdue. Yet this season, her allegiance has taken an unexpected detour as she found herself wholeheartedly cheering for the Iowa women’s basketball team, passionately following the ascendant trajectory of Caitlin Clark.
Clark, an astonishingly gifted player, has been electrifying the sport in a manner rarely seen before. The point where Lennis’ affection for Clark dovetailed with her devotion to Indiana came in a pivotal moment, when Clark was selected as the number one pick in the WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever.
For Lennis and her fellow Indianans, a state steeped in basketball lore, the announcement ignited an excitement that resonated on a deeply personal level. “She put it on the map like nobody else has,” Lennis lauded Clark, emotion seasoning her words.
For Lennis, the recognition brought by Clark’s success was not just about her outstanding play, but also a beacon highlighting the often ignored prowess of women’s sportsmanship. In Indiana, Clark’s rise signified a shift in perception, a wind of change that ushered in an escalating appreciation for women athletes.
On Tuesday, Lennis, alongside her seven-year-old son, partook in the revelry of a draft party convened at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The infectious energy of anticipation was palpable, with both young boys and girls eagerly looking forward to Clark’s looming debut in the WNBA.
Almost 17,000 eager supporters thronged the Gainbridge arena, their eyes fixed on the live feed from the WNBA draft event emanating from New York. When Clark’s selection was announced, wild cheers reverberated through the crowd, balloons cascaded from the ceiling, adding another layer of jubilation to the merry chaos.
In solidarity, Fever players – Erica Wheeler, Maya Caldwell, and Lexie Hull – donned red jerseys emblazoned with Clark’s No. 22 in white. Later, team coach Christie Sides joined the fray, encouraging the crowd to reenact their thunderous reaction to Clark’s selection.
A fellow Hoosier, Stephanie Bevins, foresees a surge of patrons at the restaurant she and Lennis work, driven by the excitement of the upcoming Fever season.
Meanwhile, Ticketmaster’s website exhibited soaring demands, with courtside tickets for the home opener being listed for resale for as much as $2,300 apiece.
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb warmly welcomed Clark’s arrival with a phone call, marking a milestone for Indiana, a state intertwined with the fabric of basketball. “It’s a basketball state, I know the ticket sales have been amazing,” Clark responded enthusiastically.
In the same spirit, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett highlighted the widespread impact of Clark’s advent on the city’s Downtown businesses and neighborhood playgrounds.
The sprawling influence of Clark’s selection was not lost on Jeremiah Marshall, who purchased half-season tickets for the Fever in anticipation of the Clark-mania that’s about to sweep the city.
New fan Shelby Tekulve expressed her anticipation in a poignant sentiment, “This season is going to be a lot of fun,” she predicted. “A lot of new people, a lot of new fans.”
Indeed, with the arrival of Caitlin Clark, a new era dawns for the women’s basketball in Indiana, and a new wave of excitement unfurls over the city of Indianapolis.
