- Proceeds from the game were donated to Stead Family Children’s Hospital
- Touching footage showed players greeting families at nearby hospital
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The Iowa Hawkeyes and DePaul Blue Demons made history Sunday, breaking the NCAA attendance record for most fans at a women’s basketball game after 55,646 fans attended are presented for the exhibition game at Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium.
The record was previously held by the UConn Huskies and Oklahoma Sooners, who drew 29,619 fans for the 2002 national championship game.
Sunday’s charity game, dubbed “Crossover at Kinnick,” raised about $250,000, with all proceeds going to the University of Iowa’s Stead Family Hospital, located adjacent to the stadium.
Head coach Lisa Bluder also allowed her players to continue the tradition of saluting the hospital after the first quarter, which is usually the case for the school’s football team and more 70,000 supporters.
“Why not give my women an experience that few people in the country have the opportunity to have? » Bluder said before the match.
The Iowa Hawkeyes and DePaul Blue Demons set the NCAA record for most fans at a game.
55,646 fans showed up to watch ‘Crossover at Kinnick’ at Iowa Football Stadium
The game raised $250,000 for Stead Family Children’s Hospital next door.
Iowa won the game 94-71, with Naismith Player of the Year Caitlin Clark shining.
“We’re going to be the first televised women’s basketball game in the country (this season). I think it brings national attention not only to our program but also to the University of Iowa. Why don’t we try don’t we do that?
Iowa won the exhibition game 94-71, with reigning Naismith Player of the Year Caitlin Clark posting an impressive 34-point triple-double.
The match also served as Iowa’s answer to August’s “Nebraska Volleyball Day,” an outdoor doubleheader featuring the national powerhouse Nebraska Cornhuskers and three other college teams from the State who drew 92,003 people to Memorial Stadium in Lincoln for the largest attendance ever documented for a women’s event. athletic event.
The players participated in the football team’s tradition of saluting the hospital after the first quarter.
The broadcast showed those watching the match from the hospital saluting as usual
Bluder said she got the idea for an outdoor basketball game when 9,000 fans showed up to an on-campus celebration for the Hawkeyes in April, returning from their state championship game. NCAA vs. LSU.
The Lady Hawkeyes have never been more popular in the state. The program is coming off its best season, thanks in large part to Clark’s performance last year.
Outdoor play was especially important to Clark, who grew up in West Des Moines. She often said her goal when choosing to play at Iowa was to lead the program to unprecedented heights.
“I just hope and pray that the weather is good,” Clark said before the game. “I’m going to go out there and enjoy every second because it’ll probably never happen again.”