The Indiana Fever made history on Monday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse when they selected Caitlin Clark as the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft, sending fans into a frenzy of excitement.
Women at the watch party expressed their joy at finally seeing women’s sports getting the recognition they deserve. Indiana Fever fan Lindsay Perrin shared her excitement, saying, “Seeing women get supported on the same level, if not more than male sports has been really exciting.”
For many fans, this moment was a long time coming. Mya Parker, another Fever fan, reminisced about watching Tamika Catchings and the team win the championship in 2012, highlighting Indiana’s rich basketball culture.
Krissy Yocum, who traveled from Bardstown, Kentucky with her daughter, emphasized the importance of women’s sports gaining more recognition. She stated, “Men’s [sports] have always been on the forefront so it’s time for us to have some platform so that we can grow. And we are growing.”
Local women expressed their excitement about becoming season ticket holders as interest in women’s basketball continues to grow. Alannah Reibel praised the underrated athleticism of female athletes, while Hunter Champman highlighted the bright future ahead for women in sports.
The watch party was a family-friendly event, with young kids witnessing the significance of women’s sports. As Clark and the other players drafted by the Fever prepare for training camp in Indianapolis at the end of the month, fans are eagerly anticipating the impact they will make on the court.