While the Iowa Hawkeyes men’s football team battled it out against the Illinois State Redbirds in the maiden game of their NCAA 2024 campaign, an illustrious ex-coach waited on the sidelines to catch the live action. However, this time the coach didn’t belong to the same sport. Instead, the Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball team ex-head coach Lisa Bluder was present to see the black and gold start re-energized from their last season’s disappointing exploit, and she caught the attention of all including that of Caitlin Clark.

Clark posted Iowa Women’s Basketball’s official Instagram post on her Instagram story that featured Bluder. Plus, she also showed her fondness for Bluder by commenting that Bluder, “Runs the city.” There wouldn’t have been a better welcome for Bluder considering she shaped Clark’s career and helped her be a mainstay for the Hawkeyes after noticing her talent. Hence, sure, Bluder is the one who is one of the most prominent coaches to take control of the city. But, that was not all.

Clark also commented on a snippet featuring Bluder. The former head coach was at the center stage of the football game as she was cheered by 69,250 fans at the Kinnick Stadium on Saturday. The rush of the same was uploaded on Instagram. Taking notice of it, Clark expressed, “She’s so cute.” Both comments caught the attention of fans who were happy to let Bluder be the main attraction for the game. But, that doesn’t mean Clark played a second fiddle here.

In fact, a lot of fans were seen donning Clark’s shirts at the game. This proved that despite Clark being busy with her WNBA season, she is one of the most acclaimed athletes to ever come out of Iowa. Previously too, her fandom was such that when an open basketball game was held at the Kinnick in October last year, it drew 55,646 fans. As for Clark’s love for Bluder, this wasn’t the first time she had expressed it.

Caitlin Clark applauds Lisa Bluder

Clark last played for Bluder during the NCAA Championship Finale game against the South Carolina Gamecocks in April this year. While Clark transitioned to the WNBA, Bluder decided to hang her boots announcing the same in May. Thus, when Bluder made an appearance in July during the Indiana Fever’s game against the Las Vegas Aces, Clark was on cloud nine.

Seeing Bluder with current Iowa head coach Jan Jensen, Clark posted a heartfelt message for Bluder on Instagram. “Love you coach! My retired queen,” Clark had stated. Now that is an incredible bond between the coach and her player.

The same has been demonstrated again when Bluder stole the thunder at the Iowa football game. Hopefully, the next time the Iowa men’s team takes the ground at Kinnick, even Clark will be there to applaud her ex-coach.