The Iowa Hawkeye's women's basketball program has given the state of Iowa and fans of basketball so many amazing moments the past few years.

This team and this group have had multiple runs in the NCAAW basketball tournament, record breaking shots, record breaking wins, Big 10 Championships, back to back NCAA championship appearances. They've broken viewership and attendance records, the list goes on and on. In my opinion, the most important thing this group has done over the years is growing the game of basketball, and women's basketball specifically.

It would be almost impossible for fans to put into words how thankful they've been for the joy and excitement this team has brought has brought to the state of Iowa. So, fans showed Lisa Bluder, Caitlin Clark, and the rest of the team their thanks the best way they knew how...and that was by continuing to do what they've done all season long, showing up.

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Hawkeye fans welcomed the team back to Carver-Hawkeye Arena and cheered just as loud as they have done all season long. While the championship game didn't go how the team and fans hoped it would go, you wouldn't be able to tell with how happy fans were to see the team back in Iowa.

Goodbye Seniors

Thousands of fans wanted one final chance to cheer for this group and to say goodbye to the 5 seniors who have played their last game for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Molly Davis, Sharon Goodman, Kate Martin, Gabbie Marshall, and Caitlin Clark have all been part of propelling women's basketball and Iowa basketball into the national spotlight. What this team and this group have given to young fans, old fans, new fans, and basketball fans will be almost impossible to replicate.

While it is bittersweet, that's the sad reality of college athletics. At some point, these student athletes move on to the next chapter of their lives. All you can do as a fan is be great full and appreciate all of the joy they give you while they're here.

One of my favorite things about this coaching staff and this team is they made fans feel like they were a part of the team. Fans may not be on the court practicing and playing but they represented our state the best way possible. They played hard, they played for each other, and they gave us a reason to be proud of them as basketball players and as people. It wasn't just a team of 14 players, this was a basketball team that had the entire state behind them. Even if it was only slightly, all of us fans felt like we had a little tiny part of being part of the team.

This Iowa basketball program had a roster in the thousands... even if we couldn't put a jersey on and shoot game winning threes. I'll always remember that feeling. Being a part of this community and cheering the team on all season, with thousands of other fans, is a feeling I'll always remember. This team has been so impactful, they're getting a book made about them!

All I can really say is...thank you. You gave me and thousands of others the chance to enjoy one incredible ride. It's one that every Hawkeye fan will remember forever.