In the process, Caitlin Clark and Iowa find serenity.
On a chilly, snowy Monday night in January, Caitlin Clark entered a softly illuminated restaurant in Iowa City, scanning the room for her parents on her 22nd birthday. Spotting them at a back table, she joined them as they smiled and waved her over. Three teammates and the head manager of the Iowa Hawkeyes were also present, and soon lively conversations began, filled with the energy of senior year and college nostalgia.
Naturally, this led to reminiscing about The Great Croatian Booze Cruise.
In the summer of 2023, as a reward for their successful Final Four season, the Iowa coaches organized an extravagant international preseason trip to Italy and Croatia for the team, a group of mature women with ample NIL money to spend. They explored new places, encountered unfamiliar languages, and strolled along narrow cobblestone streets. “One of the highlights was when we bought bottles of wine and enjoyed them on the hotel rooftop,” Caitlin recalled.
On the trip’s final free day, they approached head manager Will McIntire with an important request, as he sat beside me at the birthday table.
They wanted to rent a yacht.
Not just any yacht, but the kind where celebrities like Pat Riley and Jay-Z might relax on a summer day. McIntire found himself with the hotel concierge, examining photos of available yachts. Caitlin approved of one that caught her eye.
“Book it immediately,” she instructed.
Boarding the yacht, they found a fully stocked bar and an enthusiastic crew. The captain sailed them to nearby caves off the coast of Dubrovnik, where the players snorkeled, floated on their backs, and gazed up at the expansive sky. They explored underwater caves and looked out for each other. Years from now, when tales of the Caitlin Clark Hawkeyes are recounted, fans will recall the logo 3-pointers, dominant victories, and the global frenzy of attention. But the players will cherish the memory of a splendid preseason yacht day on crystal-clear waters, a moment of youth, strength, and sovereignty. They’ll reminisce about the vibrant color and clarity of the sea, a hue that was foreign to Iowa until Caitlin Clark came along.
The Booze Cruise certainly lived up to its name. After the pressures of a Final Four campaign and Caitlin’s sudden stardom, it offered a chance for the team to bond without outside pressures. Many of their coaches only learned about the yacht adventure after the team returned home.
“It was exactly what we needed,” McIntire remarked at the birthday dinner table. It was the kind of night parents dream of spending with their adult children. Multiple conversations buzzed simultaneously, including Caitlin’s dad, Brent, sharing amusing stories about the chaos in their basement when their sons played Fortnite.
