State of Mind: How Caitlin Clark, the UI Hawkeye Women’s basketball team lifted up a nation

For a few hours on one night, major swaths of the country joined together for the conclusion of what many have coined as more of a movement than a moment. It would be easy to label as hyperbole such analysis of the University of Iowa Women’s Basketball Team’s historic season. But the reality is that the surreal accomplishments of this team on the court will forever be surpassed only by the lasting impact they’ve made on countless people all over the world.

At a fundamental level, humans have a need to feel as if they belong. That is, people need to be socially connected to others in a group and feel as if they are part of something bigger than themselves. Individuals belong to groups like families, communities, religious institutions, political parties, sexual orientations, nationalities, or any number of groups based around hobbies and interests.

In sports, we show our belonging by wearing our team’s apparel, singing chants and fight songs, and even things like the quintessential “Go Hawks!” greetings passed between strangers. Beyond the popularity of sports, driven by entertainment and an inherent sense of urgency, it’s the opportunity to belong for participants and fans alike that has the power to positively impact millions of lives.

Having a sense of belonging has been shown to increase self-esteem, resilience, and overall mental and physical well-being. Conversely, lacking a sense of belonging has been associated with increased loneliness, anxiety and depression, as well as decreased motivation, immune functioning and intellectual achievement.

There are also unique risks when it comes to belonging and sports. These can include things like unhealthy competition and comparisons, a connection between our team winning or losing and a positive or negative impact on our self-esteem and perceived competence, or a bias to believe that fellow fans of our team are somehow better people than those of opposing teams.

All of this brings us back to the Iowa Hawkeyes Women’s Basketball Team. April 7 was a culmination of several years of buildup. Playing in their second consecutive national championship game was a direct result of years of commitment and hard work by current and past members of the team. Along the way, numerous records were broken, both by players and by crowds in person and on television.

This team captivated and captured the hearts and imaginations of people from all backgrounds and represented the best of what sports has to offer. The rest of us weren’t just passive spectators. We were active participants in the fun, passion and excitement. We were all able to belong. And that sense of belonging contributed at least in some small way toward the well-being of millions.

In head coach Lisa Bluder’s postgame speech to the team, she made clear that the result of one game doesn’t define this team. She spoke of the magic of what the team was able to experience together and share with the world, and the memories they created and impacts they made on others that will last lifetimes.

Absent the potential perils of competition, we were able to witness all the raw, authentic, wonderful things that sports have to offer. The fundamentally beautiful way they played as a team. The joy and passion with which they took the court each game. The love and support they showed one another. The opportunity they brought all of us to feel like we belonged to a team and a movement that will have positive impacts for generations to come. For that, to every single player, coach, and support staff — on behalf of all of us, thank you.

Bryan Busch is a licensed mental health counselor in Cedar Rapids. He also works at Folience, the parent company of The Gazette. He can be reached at bryan.busch@thegazette.com.