When Caitlin Clark announced she’d be taking it easy this offseason, fans might have imagined her lounging by the pool or binge-watching TV shows. But if there’s one thing the WNBA sensation has proven, it’s that “relaxing” for her means rallying at Indiana Pacers games, hitting the links at pro-am golf events, and—you guessed it—becoming the unofficial mascot for the Butler Bulldogs.
Clark’s boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, an assistant coach for Butler, seems to have a VIP cheering squad built in. On Tuesday, the Indiana Fever superstar showed up at Hinkle Fieldhouse to watch the Bulldogs take on Eastern Illinois, alongside her ever-enthusiastic family. It marked yet another chapter in what fans have dubbed “Caitlin’s Bulldogs World Tour.”
Fans React: “How Many Home Games Does This Team Have?”
Clark’s repeated appearances courtside have sent the internet into a frenzy, with fans oscillating between admiration and outright bewilderment.
“How many home games does this team have?” one fan quipped on social media, while another observed, “She’s basically an assistant coach now. Give her a clipboard already!”
Others, however, defended her public appearances, with one fan noting, “She’s very supportive. It’s very cool. I’m glad TV didn’t announce she was there. She probably just wants to blend in.” Another fan sarcastically added, “Yeah, because blending in is super easy when you’re Caitlin Clark.”
Patrick McCaffery: The Sharpshooter Steals the Spotlight
While Clark cheered from the stands, it was Patrick McCaffery—Connor’s younger brother—who delivered on the court. The Bulldogs’ sharpshooter lit up the scoreboard, sinking three triples in the first half alone. His dagger three-pointer just before halftime widened Butler’s lead to 36-27, making sure Eastern Illinois had no illusions of a comeback.
Patrick finished the night with 20 points, hitting five of eight three-pointers and grabbing seven rebounds. Even Clark’s cheering couldn’t rattle him. After the game, fans joked online that Butler’s shooters have a secret weapon: “They’re just trying to impress Caitlin. Who wouldn’t?”
The Road Warrior WNBA Star
Caitlin Clark’s support isn’t limited to home games. Last week, she traveled to Tempe, Arizona, to watch Butler grind out a win against Northwestern. Next up, fans are wondering if she’ll make the trek to Houston for the Bulldogs’ clash against No. 17 Houston Cougars.
The WNBA Rookie of the Year’s presence hasn’t gone unnoticed by Butler’s opponents either. One Twitter user hilariously speculated, “Does Caitlin Clark come with a scouting report? Because these teams might need it.”
The Caitlin Clark Effect
Clark’s offseason escapades prove that even without a basketball in her hands, she’s making headlines. Whether she’s elevating the vibes at Hinkle Fieldhouse or subtly studying the game from the stands, her offseason strategy seems to be a mix of “live, laugh, love” and “watch, learn, win.”
As one sarcastic fan put it, “Connor McCaffery might be an assistant coach, but it’s clear who’s really running the show at Butler these days.”