Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has carried lessons learned from her college coach, Lisa Bluder, into her WNBA career, particularly a strategy for navigating intense scrutiny. During an event celebrating her new partnership with Dick's Sporting Goods and Foot Locker, Clark discussed Bluder's advice on handling both highs and lows.
"She always said like be where your feet are and I think that’s so true," Clark said, reflecting on the speed at which moments pass. "Everything just goes so fast and you know, whether it’s the good, whether it’s the bad, you have to take all of that with you and you learn a lot from it."
Clark elaborated on Bluder's concept of "two-day story" thinking. "There’s gonna be great moments, and there’s going to be terrible moments where everybody thinks you’re the worst player in the world," Clark explained. "But… you play a game two days later and they want to talk about something that’s the opposite. So I think all of that is kind of what’s built me into being me."
Bluder, who coached Clark at Iowa from 2020 to 2024, was described by Clark as one of the most impactful figures in her sports journey. Clark emphasized Bluder's equitable treatment of all players, regardless of their on-court role. "I was the star of the team, but that didn’t mean she treated me any different than the 15th player that never got off the bench," Clark noted. "And I think that can be true in so many different parts of our lives, like that doesn’t even have to be sports, like everybody should be valued and everybody kind of had a seat at the table."
Clark's college career at Iowa saw her rise to national prominence, becoming the NCAA's Division I all-time leading scorer. She was the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. Her transition to the professional league has occurred under significant public attention, a level of scrutiny she has addressed previously.
This period of high visibility has also seen Clark secure major endorsement deals, including a multiyear partnership with Dick's Sporting Goods and Foot Locker, marking the first time either brand has partnered with an individual athlete. This announcement followed the release of her signature Nike shoe, the Caitlin 1.