People all over the world have tuned in to watch Women’s sports with the recent popularity among athletes like Caitlyn Clark, Kamilla Cordoso and Angel Reese. This popularity has not always been the case.
Tricia Lukawski, a former collegiate athlete once had her experience under the spotlight, but can’t dream of what it is like today.
“I think it is awesome,” Lukaski said. “I have always loved the sport. Earning a scholarship and getting the opportunity to play in college was amazing in itself when I went through it back in 1989-93, I can’t imagine how special and exciting it would be to be able to go through the experience with all the hype and fan interest of today.”
The NCAA matchup between Iowa vs. South Carolina became the most viewed basketball game in history reaching 24 million viewers. Lukawski has noticed how the usage of social media has impacted the sport.
“Small clips of Caitlin Clark shooting from everywhere on the court or Milaysia Fulwiley showing off her crazy handles and finishing at the basketball or Paige Bueckers smooth play or of JuJu Watkins dropping 50 as a freshman have all inspired new viewership,” Lukawski said.
This rise has even caused more conversation with breaking gender barriers within basketball.
“ I love that people,especially my male co-workers and friends, are now talking about these things in our everyday conversations,” Lukawski said. “This whole season especially was filled with these moments. That, in turn, with some great overall games had people that have never watched women’s basketball tuning in.”
The Women’s Draft pulling high level athletes into the WNBA was even a sight to see bombing on social media. The WNBA game tickets have even skyrocketed with mass amounts of people tuning in this season.
The admiration has even caused Lukawski to want to relive her days.
“ I love that people, especially men, are now finally seeing that women’s basketball is quality basketball,” Lukawski said. “Part of me is a little jealous of all of the opportunities that women are getting because of the game I love…I wish I could get a redo!”
