Herstory Made

 

As I type this, the all-time NCAA basketball record has just been rewritten. It happened about a half hour ago.

Now, before I continue on with this, let me preface this with a couple things. 

One, I have had a personal connection to the Iowa Hawkeye women's team this year. My oldest, Jake, is an intern in the Iowa Hawkeyes Sports Marketing department. They work in the same building as the basketball team. They run into each other daily. 

Two, I realize I normally write and support women's wrestling. Go with me on this one. (FYI, when I was 12, I wanted to be an Iowa Hawkeye basketball player.)

Less than an hour ago, Caitlin Clark broke the all-time NCAA scoring record for both men and women, surpassing Pete Maravich from LSU. Many things have come to mind for me as I think about the magnitude of this.

Women's sports have come deeper into the spotlight the last year or two. The Iowa Hawkeyes sell out arenas all over the country. That has never happened ever in history. Most of the time, colleges can't sell half their tickets for a women's game. The world pays attention to women on the court and on the field now. That also includes the mat. 

Also, another thing to keep in mind, is that when a young athlete makes a run for that record again, they will be taking it from a woman, not a man. A woman holds that record now. She has cemented her place and the place of all women in the world of athletics. She created Herstory. We are here. We belong. 

Now, how does that translate to the sport I champion? For one, it reiterates the message I have preached for the last seven years. Girls belong. Women belong. They have a place in this world and it isn't to fulfill a school's Title 9 requirement. It's to create herstory. It's to inspire girls to follow in their footsteps. Caitlin isn't just about Caitlin. Caitlin is about Gabby and Hannah and Kate and Molly (Go Molly!!!). 

In the same vein, Basketball isn't just about Basketball. Basketball is about Volleyball and Soccer and Softball...and about Wrestling. While all the girls want to be just like Caitlin, some will eventually realize that basketball isn't their game. Someday, instead of being the next Caitlin, they will be the next Felicity Taylor, the next Bella Mir, the next Abby McIntyre.

The next Ali Andersen.

Remember, Iowa also has the only Power 5 women's wrestling team right now.

The world is reacting to the new NCAA record. After what has seemed to be an endless battle, the world is recognizing women athletes. They want to watch women compete. The hype is only getting bigger. Those of us who love these athletes, no matter the sport, need to keep the fervor going to keep their place at the table.