Former Iowa Hawkeyes superstar Caitlin Clark expressed excitement after hearing a motivational speech from her alma mater’s bus driver before their first-round March Madness tournament this Saturday.
Mama Zee, the Hawkeyes’ bus driver, provided energy for the team, which will enter the national playoffs for the first time without Clark.
“Remember when y’all tried out for this team? Everybody remember that feeling? That’s what I need from you today. I need you to go out there thinking like, ‘If we don’t win, we can never play ball again.'”
She then chanted, “We ready!” boosting the team’s spirit.
The video, posted on the Hawkeyes’ Instagram page, gained over 10.4k likes and 110 comments, including one from Caitlin Clark, responding:
“Okay eat then. This had me about to go thru a brick wall … heck yeah.”
View this post on Instagram
Clark added another comment: “Get her Iowa wbb merch .. she deserves it,” and tagged some Hawkeyes, such as head coach Jan Jensen.
Mama Zee’s inspirational speech uplifted the Hawkeyes as they won against the 11th-seeded Murray State, 92-57. Ava Heiden led the team with 15 points and seven rebounds. Lucy Olsen scored 12 points and 12 boards, while Hannah Stuelke and Sydney Affolter each made 11.
The sixth-seeded Hawkeyes will face the third-seeded Oklahoma this Monday, and the winner will advance to the Sweet Sixteen.
Despite Caitlin Clark’s departure from the Hawkeyes, they continue to be a challenging team as they strive for continued success.
Throughout four seasons, Clark brought Iowa to two back-to-back national championship appearances and won numerous accolades, including leading Division I in most points scored all-time.
Caitlin Clark candidly misses to play with the Hawkeyes
Caitlin Clark was a consistent contender in the March Madness, and now she’s in the WNBA, she admitted to yearning to play in the collegiate tournament again. During an interview with the Big Ten Network weeks ago, the Hawkeyes legend continues supporting her college team.
“It’s pretty fun, and I love getting to be able to support this program. Obviously a lot of these girls were my teammates and getting to see (coach) Jan (Jensen) in her first year and they’re playing their best basketball,” Clark said. “I love this time of the year, March, I miss it.”
Caitlin Clark may be Iowa’s biggest fan 🐥#B1GWBBT on @BigTenNetwork 📺 pic.twitter.com/qFOFIWwgzI
— Big Ten Women’s Basketball (@B1Gwbball) March 8, 2025
Caitlin Clark placed herself as one of Iowa’s and even the nation’s best players of all time. In recognition of her efforts, the Hawkeyes retired her no.22 jersey last February. Averaging 28.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.1 rebounds, Clark etched an undeniable impact on women’s college basketball.
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