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via Imago

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Apart from golf, Caitlin Clark is finding time from her busy schedule for friends and family. In one of her recent moves, she made it to the Iowa football’s homecoming game against Northwestern on Saturday. Present with her were her former coach Lisa Bluder, along with her Iowa friends Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall. And while the Indiana Fever rookie was being honored on the field, she made a gesture that left her fans admiring her generosity.

Clark offered a young girl two Championship rings, which was supposedly an initiative in collaboration with UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital. The girl was dressed in gold and yellow and looked extremely happy after getting the gift from the generational talent. The move won hearts as one fan commented “Such a generous heart!!” on Saturday when the pictures and videos from the game were posted on the Hawkeyes’ official social media handles, with the caption: Kid Captain  @CaitlinClark22 @UIchildrens x #Hawkeyes”

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Notably, this is not the first time the 22-year-old has collaborated with the institution for a good cause. Back in 2022, she partner with supermarket company Hy-Vee to donate a $1,000 to the institution in honor of Clark being the fastest player in women’s Big Ten History to reach 1,000 career points. Throughout the year, she’s also been a regular visitor for any kid that wants to see her. In one such instance, as per a video tweeted by the hospital in March 2023, the former Iowa Hawkeyes player was also given a heart touching surprise for her contributions…

A special video montage was presented to the player featuring several kids appreciating and congratulating her for a blistering year. At the end of the video, Clark was also given a special message from Lisa Bluder prompting her to burst out crying…

“Hey Caitlin, you know how proud all of us are of you and what you’ve done on the court. But what you’ve done on the court has far exceeded what you’ve done in our community, and around this country, and getting little girls excited about playing basketball. But no places have been better and felt more that at the University of Iowa Chidren’s Hospital. So, here, I just want to let you know…You are the AP National Player of the Year…”

As for her recent visit to her university, in the second quarter of the game at the Kinnick Stadium, the 2023-24 Iowa Hawkeye women’s basketball team was honored during a timeout. Notably, Clark & Co. had reached their second consecutive Championship Finale last NCAA season and hence the Hawkeyes’ football team considered it apt for them to get the center stage. For the record, Bluder had received a standing ovation earlier when she was present at Iowa’s season-opening game against Illinois State. Meanwhile, looking at Clark’s actions, her fans were extremely excited.

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Does Caitlin Clark's generosity set a new standard for athletes' community involvement?

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Caitlin Clark fans shower her with praises

“Caitlin Clark is always there for the children!,” one fan commented. Clark had notably formed the Caitlin Clark Foundation in 2022. The organization aims to improve the lives of children by providing them with education, nutrition, and sports. Therefore, the fan was impressed that the ROTY does not let any opportunity to celebrate children slip from her hands.

“God bless you,CC,” another user commented. Clark, during her college days, had signed a deal with Gatorade in which the brand donated $22,000 to the Caitlin Clark Foundation. Therefore, all these actions deserved blessings from her elder fans.

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“Once a Hawkeye🖤💛,” one social media buff commented. The user was true in her statement because despite such a hectic schedule, Clark had found time to come to her home. She was even seen in one of the practice sessions with Jan Jensen when she was seen celebrating her ex-teammate’s basket in a friendly game. Furthermore, she had also made a TikTok video with her Iowa friends on a Kim Kardashian dialogue subtly pointing out that she missed the Iowa fans.

“Your celebration was during a commercial we needed to see the whole thing @IowaOnBTN coverage sucks!!!!!,” One fan was angry that he missed the Hawkeyes’ celebrating Clark since it was done in the timeout when the TV was airing commercials. According to the fan, this should have been an entire coverage so that everyone could enjoy it.

“IOWA ROYALTY CC22,” another user stated. It is true that the No.22 jersey has become synonymous with Clark, who was born on 22nd January 2002. She has helped the team to back-to-back NCAA Championship Finales and also won 2× AP Player of the Year. Therefore, the fan applauded her on Saturday.

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Hopefully, Clark will continue finding time and giving special moments to her fans. On the other hand, followers are also excited to see her take part in the Pro-Am golf tournament in November.

 

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Does Caitlin Clark's generosity set a new standard for athletes' community involvement?