No matter who came before or who comes next, if there is one thing Iowa will always take pride in is its strong connections. Apart from the WNBA phenom Caitlin Clark, who continues to be one of the closest alumni of the Hawkeye nation, the school also had a ‘Kid Captain’ gracing them last year who served a special purpose. Krysty Bujakowska, a 12-year-old from Coralville, was honorary Kid Captain during the outdoor Iowa Women’s Basketball game on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, at Kinnick Stadium. Sadly, Iowa had to bid her goodbye recently and Clark joined in on the farewell.

The WNBA Rookie of the Year joined in on condolences for Bujakowska, who had been admitted at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital for the last two years. Battling an aggressive bone cancer, Bujakowska had been diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a bone cancer in her leg.

The Iowa women’s basketball team just posted to Instagram to say, “Our Kid Captain. We are forever grateful you are a part of our team. They say we changed the game, but the truth is, you changed us. Rest in peace, sweet Krysty. We love you.”

Caitlin Clark also shared the post to her story with six white hearts. The post includes pictures of Bujakowska with the team, including CC herself, signing a ball. The carousel also includes pictures of her with the team, new HC Jan Jensen, and Bujakowska in Iowa colors on the basketball court.

And as the team lost their precious ‘captain,’ wishes poured in from every quarter.

Caitlin Clark and Iowa Nation offer condolences to the Bujakowska family

Before Krysty Bujakowska was diagnosed with cancer at age 10, she was a healthy athlete, enjoying several sports, like gymnastics, swimming, jumping on the trampoline, bicycling, and even chess. But a lump found above her knee one day changed things forever.

“You don’t expect to hear anything like that,” her father, Michal, told the University of Iowa. The official UIHC page reveals how her initial treatment, while successful, still resulted in multiple recurrences of the cancer. Bujakowska was treated at the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital and grew close to athletes in the sport she loved.

On the Iowa Women’s Basketball team’s IG account, Iowa Hoops posted two hearts in the team colors, “💛🖤” This resonated with the feeling that once a person lands at the University of Iowa, they become part of it forever. Indeed, an honor to represent the black and gold.

One fan posted, “You fought hard, brave girl. Now you get to rest. My deepest condolences to all who loved Krysty.” While the Coralville Food Pantry wrote, “Thank you for showing her so much love. Rest easy, sweet Krysty.”

Unfortunately, these last two years were hard on the Bujakowska family. But Iowa supported them in all they could, especially fulfilling Krysty’s basketball wish with their ‘Kid Captain’ honor at Kinnick last year. Her oncologist, David Dickens, MD, FAAP, told UIHC, “Despite all this, Krysty remains a positive and kind child who spreads joy wherever she goes.”

“We watched so many times from the hospital window,” her mom, Kate said. “She’s very excited to be on the other side and wave to all the kids.” She also revealed how her daughter had been excited about the game at Kinnick and looked forward to representing Iowa.

As these two fans put it, “May Krysty’s memory be a blessing and an inspiration to us all” and “Rest in peace, sweet angel! One of the highlights of my summer was meeting you. You are so loved and will be forever missed. 💔” 

Although Krysty Bujakowska might not be a part of this world anymore, her presence at Iowa will always be felt. And Caitlin Clark’s alma mater will carry on her legacy in every game they play, as will WNBA’s phenom.