Shelley Lucas, an associate professor for the Department of Kinesiology, recently published “The Caitlin Clark Effect: Illuminating Women’s Sport History” in the International Journal of Physical Activity and Health. The article explores some of the history underlying what is commonly referred to as the “Caitlin Clark Effect” – a term referencing the recent surge in popularity of women’s basketball sparked by University of Iowa star Caitlin Clark’s record-breaking performances and her team’s NCAA tournament success.
Lucas’ article focuses on three historical aspects highlighting the effect.
The first is media coverage for women’s sports and the way Clark’s rise has drawn unprecedented attention to women’s basketball, compared to the inconsistent coverage women’s sports has had compared to men’s sports.
Secondly, Lucas focuses on the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women, which was taken over by the NCAA in 1982 and resulted in the erasure of record holding players like Lynette Woodard and Pearl Moore.
Lastly, Lucas shines light on the long-standing tradition that Iowa holds for a six on six format, specifically for women’s basketball, which remained in use until 1993. These historic foundations explain and emphasize the idea of the Caitlin Clark Effect.
Lucas argues that “understanding the historical context behind media coverage, governance, and local sport culture is important because these ‘moments’ that are deemed to herald the arrival (finally) of a women’s sports ‘movement’ have happened before and faded away. The Caitlin Clark Effect helps to illustrate the complex and uneven movement toward social change in women’s sport.”
Lucas also spoke about her research at the recent Boise State Women in Sports celebration, sponsored by the Department of Kinesiology and Athletics at the Stueckle Sky Center.