IOWA CITY, Iowa -- On the Sunday before Thanksgiving, while many students had returned home, the fervor for women's basketball remained palpable at the Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Over two hours before the tipoff against Washington State, fans were already forming long lines, showcasing their dedication.

Among the early arrivals were Trenton Mendoza and his spirited 9-year-old daughter, Riley. Visiting from Atlanta, Riley's admiration for Caitlin Clark's mesmerizing step-back 3-pointers had sparked their basketball journey. Trenton, eager to surprise his daughter, had planned tickets to the game. “The night before, she said, ‘Dad, we're going to be in Iowa. What if the girls are playing while we’re there? We’ve got to go!’ It was hard to keep it a secret,” he chuckled.

Caitlin Clark, who was drafted by the Indiana Fever in April, has shifted her focus to professional basketball, but her impact on women’s collegiate athletics remains undeniable. A two-time national player of the year, Clark broke scoring records and captivated audiences, even leading to higher viewership ratings for the women's NCAA tournament compared to the men's during her final postseason. This season, Iowa plans to honor her legacy by retiring her No. 22 jersey in a special ceremony.

Despite Clark's departure, the excitement surrounding Iowa Women's Basketball continues to flourish. The team sold out its 15,000-seat capacity last year for the first time, and they have done so again this season—even while being unranked, a first since Clark's freshman year. “I still have people wanting to borrow my season tickets,” shared Ashleigh Determann, who was at the game with her niece, showcasing the strong demand for women's sports.

The transition to life without Clark hasn't been without its challenges. During the recent Women's Champions Classic, the Hawkeyes struggled with 30 turnovers in a loss to Tennessee, but interest in women's basketball is clearly alive and well. The doubleheader featured prominent matchups and shattered ticket sales with almost 10,000 sold.

As the No. 21 Hawkeyes prepare for an instate rivalry against No. 18 Iowa State, anticipation builds for another sold-out crowd. “Caitlin brought new eyes to the game and the attention they deserve," said Determann, highlighting the lingering effects of Clark's brilliance.

Minutes before the game against Washington State, the atmosphere was electric, with fans chanting, "Let's go Hawks!" New point guard Lucy Olsen, a standout transfer from Villanova, has stepped into the role impressively. Despite battling a knee injury, she leads the team with 18 points per game, keeping the spirit of competition alive.

The excitement doesn't just belong to the players; it permeates through fans of all ages. Young fans like 11-year-old Gianna, who traveled from Chicago to catch the game, are inspired by the energy ignited by Clark’s legacy. “It's a phenomenon,” her father remarked, acknowledging the newfound passion for women's basketball among fans who previously didn't engage.

Even in the crowd, the presence of grown men sporting Clark jerseys, exhibiting pride and excitement for women's athletics, is a testament to how much her stardom has reshaped the sport's landscape. "What [Clark] has done for the sport is tremendous," said Zach Hayworth, who now watches WNBA games regularly—something he never envisioned doing before.

As the season progresses, Iowa's commitment to women’s basketball reaches new heights. Craig and Heather Labath, fans from Coralville, made the leap to purchase WNBA League Pass, eagerly following the Fever while nurturing their daughters’ interest in the sport.

The energy radiating from Iowa's women's basketball is a clear indication that, while Caitlin Clark has moved on to the professional ranks, her legacy continues to thrive and inspire a new generation of fans and players alike. “It’s so nice to see women’s sports selling out. We never had that before Clark. Now, we have it without Clark,” Craig noted, encapsulating the growing revolution in women’s athletics that will forever be marked by Clark’s influence.