“She shoots! She scores!” Many a playground athlete narrates his or her basketball shots in a similar way. It’s normal to watch outstanding athletes and imagine filling those shoes on the court or field. But when an athlete is really, really good, there may be limits for those who want to follow in that figure’s footsteps. One limit involves who can—or can’t—wear a player’s number. Restricting future use of that number is referred to as “retiring” it. One such retirement is happening in early February at the University of Iowa.
After February 2, 2025, no Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball player will wear #22 again. Superstar Caitlyn Clark wore that number during her years at the school, where she became the all-time leading men’s or women’s scorer in NCAA Division I history.
The number will be retired in a ceremony on February 2 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, the Iowa athletic department announced last week.
Clark is widely regarded as a transformational figure in the women’s game. The flair of her game and long-distance three-point shots spawned a legion of fans adorned in her #22 jersey at games.
“I’m forever proud to be a Hawkeye, and Iowa holds a special place in my heart that is bigger than just basketball,” Clark says. “It means the world to me to receive this honor and to celebrate it with my family, friends, and alumni. It will be a great feeling to look up in the rafters and see my jersey alongside those that I’ve admired for so long.”
Clark began her professional career last spring. She was drafted #1 overall by the Indiana Fever. After her first season, she received the title WNBA Rookie of the Year. She’ll return “home” to her university to attend the ceremony during the Hawkeyes’ game against Southern California.
“Caitlin Clark has not only redefined excellence on the court but has also inspired countless young athletes to pursue their dreams with passion and determination,” Iowa athletic director Beth Goetz says. “Retiring her number is a testament to her extraordinary contributions and a celebration of her legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.”
Clark led the Hawkeyes to the NCAA championship game in her last two years of college play. She is the only player in Division I men’s or women’s basketball history to lead her conference in scoring and assists in four consecutive seasons.
Across the four main American professional sports organizations—Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League, the National Basketball Association, and the National Football League—a total of 847 numbers have been retired. The retirements recognize the achievements of the best of the best. They include baseball’s Jackie Robinson (#42), hockey’s Wayne Gretsky (#99), basketball’s Michael Jordan (#23), and football’s Dan Marino (#13).
Might Clark perform so well in her professional career that she one day joins the ranks of those pros?
Even if pro sports isn’t in your future, you can still appreciate the example of learning from the best. In any area of life, another’s Christian witness can spur you on to faith and good works. And you can encourage those who come after you. Believers have the best example of all to follow.
Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. — Hebrews 12:1-2
