Purdue HC Makes Heartfelt Gesture to Jan Jensen as Iowa Mourn the Tragic Loss of Jamie Cavey

At just 41 years old, Cavey Lang passed away on December 21, 2024, after a brave fight against cancer. The NCAA community is still coming to terms with the heartbreaking loss. A cherished figure of the Iowa women’s basketball, her impact was felt today as the Hawkeyes continued to mourn, heartwarmingly joined in by their opponents for the night.

The air was heavy with emotion the Carver-Hawkeye arena before they took on the Purdue Boilermakers. One of the most heartfelt moments came when Purdue’s head coach, Katie Gearlds, made her way to Iowa’s associate head coach, Jan Jensen, at midcourt. She presented her with flowers—a simple yet deeply moving gesture of solidarity and respect.

Earlier, the entire arena fell silent to honor Jamie’s memory.

During her playing days in 2001, Cavey established herself as one of the program’s greats. She raked up an impressive 1,265 career points—a feat that places her 27th on Iowa’s all-time scoring list. But her impact wasn’t just about the numbers. She even had two All-Big Ten selections and three Academic All-Big Ten honors during her time with the Hawkeyes.

Even after her playing career ended in 2005, Cavey Lang remained deeply connected to the program. Tragically, her battle with cancer ended her life far too soon, leaving her family, friends, and fans grieving. But Jamie Cavey Lang’s influence didn’t end with her passing.

Cavey Lang’s love for Iowa evident as year-old clip resurfaces

Fans across the NCAA have been paying tribute in their own ways, reliving some of her most memorable moments. One clip, in particular, has resurfaced—her iconic commentary during last year’s electrifying NCAA showdown between Iowa and the then-ranked No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers.

The game was unforgettable, featuring Caitlin Clark’s now-legendary buzzer-beating three-pointer from beyond the logo. But it wasn’t just Clark’s shot that made the moment magical—it was Cavey Lang’s genuine, heartfelt reaction in the commentary booth. As the ball sailed through the net, she exclaimed, “Oh my God!” repeatedly, summing up the moment.

Iowa Women’s basketball reporter Kyle Huesmann shared the clip on social media, writing, “Listening back to this, you don’t react like that unless you love Iowa Women’s Basketball. Jamie loved Iowa Women’s Basketball, and I’m glad she got to experience that first Final Four run before she had to stop. Terrible to hear the news of her passing at just 41 years old.”

Fans, players, and colleagues continue to mourn her loss, holding onto the legacy she left behind.