The University of Iowa women’s basketball team has announced that they will be hosting an outdoor scrimmage at Kinnick Stadium, the school’s football venue, against DePaul. The event, called the “Crossover at Kinnick,” will take place on October 15th at 3 p.m. local time. Here’s everything you need to know about this exciting matchup:
1. Location and Time:
The “Crossover at Kinnick” will be held at Kinnick Stadium, which has a seating capacity of nearly 70,000. The game is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. local time, allowing fans to enjoy the outdoor atmosphere while cheering on their favorite team.
2. Ticket Sales:
Proceeds from ticket sales for this event will benefit The University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. Outdoor tickets will go on sale later this month, and a limited number of “rain or shine” tickets will also be available in case the game needs to be moved indoors to Carver-Hawkeye Arena due to inclement weather.
3. Iowa’s Success:
Iowa’s women’s basketball team had an impressive season last year, finishing as the NCAA runner-up. The team features Caitlin Clark, who was named the national player of the year. With their recent success, the team has become one of the biggest draws in women’s college basketball.
4. Marketing and Audience Expansion:
The “Crossover at Kinnick” is another opportunity for the Iowa women’s basketball program to market itself to a larger audience. The team has already gained local celebrity status in the Iowa City area, with over 10,000 fans attending a local celebration for the team earlier this year. Moving non-conference games to different locations, such as Des Moines and Charlotte, has also allowed the team to reach new fans and expand their brand.
5. Previous Record-Breaking Event:
In 2015, the Iowa wrestling program held the “Grapple at the Gridiron” at Kinnick Stadium, which attracted an NCAA-record 42,287 fans for a dual meet. While the upcoming scrimmage is only an exhibition, the growing obsession with women’s basketball in Iowa suggests that fans may flock to Kinnick Stadium in similar numbers to watch Caitlin Clark and the rest of the team.
6. Hawkeyes’ Impressive Attendance:
Last season, the Hawkeyes set a Big Ten record for average attendance with 11,142 fans per game. They also led the nation with eight games drawing over 13,000 fans. Even on the road, Iowa’s opponents saw an average increase of 3,482 fans compared to their season average. The team’s success and popularity have made them a must-watch for fans across the country.
7. Television Ratings:
The 2023 NCAA championship game featuring Iowa and LSU drew an impressive 9.9 million viewers, a 103 percent increase from the previous year. It was also the most-viewed Division I women’s basketball game in history. The Big Ten Network has seen high viewership for Iowa games as well, with five of their six most-viewed women’s basketball games featuring the Hawkeyes.
With all of these exciting developments, it’s clear that the Iowa women’s basketball program is on the rise. The “Crossover at Kinnick” provides another opportunity for fans to support their team while enjoying a unique outdoor experience. Don’t miss out on this historic event!