Iowa Women’s Basketball Sustains Popularity Post-Caitlin Clark Era
Iowa women’s basketball has exploded into a national sensation, and honestly, Caitlin Clark deserves a lot of the credit. Her jaw-dropping performances, combined with the die-hard energy of the fans, have turned the program into something special.
Even two years after Clark left, the Hawkeyes are still packing the stands and keeping that electric atmosphere alive. This article takes a look at how Iowa’s women’s basketball program keeps buzzing—mixing deep community ties, smart social media moves, and a genuine sense of belonging.
The Rise of Iowa Women’s Basketball
Table of Contents
Not that long ago, Caitlin Clark put Iowa women’s basketball on the national map. She’d drain logo threes, smash NCAA records, and just pull people into the story.
For the third year running, Iowa has sold out every home game before fall practices even start. The demand’s wild.
Leadership and Community Engagement
Lisa Bluder, now retired, was grand marshal for Iowa’s homecoming this past September. She got a roaring ovation at the football game against Indiana.
Jan Jensen, in her second year as head coach after three decades as Bluder’s right hand, has become a local legend in her own right. Fans chase down current and former players for autographs at events and even at places like Coral Ridge Mall.
*It’s amazing,* said assistant coach Abby Emmert Stamp, who played for Bluder and Jensen from 2005 to 2008. *I walked around with Jan during homecoming weekend when we were doing some recruiting, and just the young, college-age kids that are stopping her for photos is just incredible.*
A Thriving Fan Base
In a town where football usually rules, women’s basketball has carved out its own spotlight. The Hawkeyes kick off the 2025-26 season Monday night against Southern.
The program’s built on decades of grassroots support and Clark’s meteoric rise. Fans who cheered when Stamp played are still showing up, loud as ever.
Building a Passionate Community
*If you think of a club you might be a part of,* Jensen said, *when you feel vested and you feel the folks that you’re with feel vested, there’s just kind of an ease to that get-together.*
Jensen arrived at Iowa as Bluder’s assistant in 2000 and quickly became the Hawkeyes’ biggest hype woman—her X handle is literally @goiowa. She’s made it her mission to show up for every team on campus, not just basketball.
She speaks at civic groups, pops into readings at Prairie Lights Bookstore, and rarely turns down a chance to talk about women’s basketball. That energy’s contagious.
Social Media and Player Engagement
Winning three straight Big Ten titles brought fame, but social media really kicked things up a notch. Iowa’s three most followed athletes on Instagram or TikTok all play women’s basketball.
On Instagram alone, the women’s basketball account has 291,000 followers—more than football (247,000), the main Iowa Hawkeyes page (180,000), or the men’s basketball team (102,000).
Player Popularity and NIL Contracts
Preseason All-Big Ten forward Hannah Stuelke has racked up 135,000 Instagram followers. Jada Gyamfi, who comes off the bench, is an on-campus celebrity with 118,000 TikTok fans.
Kylie Feuerbach, in her sixth year, has over 110,000 combined followers, and Taylor McCabe has more than 87,000. These players endorse local businesses through NIL deals and keep growing their audiences. That, in turn, keeps the spotlight on Iowa.
Program Culture and Recruitment
The team’s vibe and family feel have been huge for recruiting. Five-star guard Addie Deal and four-star post Layla Hays—both freshmen—visited during Clark’s last season.
Deal first heard about Iowa in middle school when her trainer said Bluder’s style would suit her. Seeing Clark play live sealed the deal.
Creating a Welcoming Environment
*One night we were at Kate Martin’s apartment, and we were having dinner, and I don’t really eat meat, so she offered to make me something else,* sophomore forward Teegan Mallegni recalled. *I thought that was really cool that they were willing to welcome me in like that.*
Book Your Dream Vacation Today
Flights | Hotels | Vacation Rentals | Rental Cars | Experiences
Clark’s senior-year spotlight has faded, but the program’s close-knit culture hasn’t. Even as women’s basketball gets more transient, Iowa’s only lost one player to the transfer portal in the last two years.
Players who could’ve chased bigger roles elsewhere have stuck around, thrived, and brought the fans along for the ride.
Conclusion
Iowa women’s basketball keeps drawing crowds, and honestly, it’s not just about the game. The program’s deep roots in the community and its clever use of social media help fuel that energy.
There’s this warm, almost family-like vibe that you just don’t see everywhere. Coaches like Jan Jensen lead with a kind of dedication that’s hard to miss.
Fans show up, rain or shine, and their passion sticks around—no matter who’s on the court. Curious for more? You can find extra details in the New York Times article.