The Crossover at Kinnick was sure to be a hit as soon as it was announced, but Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes are demonstrating once again just how big of a hit they truly are.
Clark and the Hawkeyes are taking over Kinnick Stadium for an outdoor scrimmage on Oct. 15 against DePaul at 3 p.m. CT. Tickets went on sale to the general public this morning, and Hawkeye Nation has responded accordingly.
The 69,000-seat stadium was always going to offer Iowa an opportunity to set the all-time attendance record for women’s basketball. According to Jess Rickertsen, Iowa’s assistant athletics director and ticket operations director, the Hawkeyes are already assured of breaking the all-time attendance mark.
She shared that nugget in a radio appearance on the Murph and Andy Show on KXnO 1460 AM and 106.3 FM.
New women’s basketball attendance record already assured.
Incredible. #caitlinclarkeffect https://t.co/Ii7gJSJbvE
— Keith Murphy (@MurphyKeith) August 17, 2023
Hawkeye fans have already bought up more than 30,000 tickets and Rickertsen and Iowa plan to keep packing Kinnick Stadium so long as fans want to keep buying tickets.
The all-time women’s college basketball attendance record was set in the 2002 national championship game when a record crowd of 29,619 watched Connecticut topple Oklahoma, 82-70. Iowa had its sights set on breaking that figure when they put this event together.
Iowa head women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder said as much last week when the showcase was unveiled.
“I am thankful that our administration has the same vision as we do for our program and are willing to take on this amazing opportunity for our team to be showcased. Our team is excited to be able to attempt to break the all-time attendance record for women’s basketball. I know if anyone can do it, Hawkeye fans can and will,” Bluder said when Iowa announced the Crossover at Kinnick.
Of course, Iowa announced earlier this week that it has also sold out of its allotment of women’s basketball season tickets.
Led by superstar Caitlin Clark, the Hawkeyes will be on the national radar all season long. Iowa advanced all the way to the national championship game during last season’s NCAA Tournament, finishing with a 31-7 (15-3 Big Ten) record.
The Hawkeyes are returning from a successful three-game overseas trip where the USC men’s basketball team decided to swing by and take in the show.
In just a few short months, it will be another highly exciting season in Iowa City. It all gets started with this now record-setting showcase event inside Kinnick.
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