From an early age, Caitlin Clark established a foundation of faith, a cornerstone that was laid during her formative years in Des Moines, Iowa. As she rises to prominence in the WNBA, it’s poignant to reflect on her upbringing where she was part of the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church community.
Her educational journey began at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School, and it was there, at the tender age of five, that she first picked up a basketball, distinguishing herself as the only girl on an all-boys team.
Father Joseph Pins, the beloved pastor of St. Francis, which is Clark’s family parish, shares a close bond with the Clark household. In a heartfelt conversation with Crux, Father Pins expressed the collective pride of the parish community in Clark’s remarkable achievements. “We’re proud of our alumna who has done such a great, great, great, thing in life. It’s always good as we form children to watch this go through and see success not just on the basketball court but also in her faith life,” he shared.
Over time, Caitlin had blossomed into an outstanding high school athlete at Dowling Catholic in West Des Moines, Iowa, where faith became a cornerstone of her everyday existence. Those formative years in high school laid the groundwork for the principles and values that guide her life still today.
Thomas Wilson, the athletic director at Dowling Catholic, attributed Clark’s success to her Catholic education and the school’s ethos of encouraging students “to shoot high”.
The main reason that her family was involved in Dowling Catholic was because of the faith component, and so Caitlin was always going to go to Dowling Catholic, and she really enjoyed her four years here.
Caitlin Clark’s former high school coach, Kristin Meyer
Behind the scenes Caitlin was an outgoing, studious and religious girl. She wanted to be treated like everyone else, but she’s constantly been reminded that her talent makes that a difficult task.
Kristin Meyer, who coached Clark throughout her high school basketball career at Dowling, was a firsthand witness to Clark’s dedication. Meyer observed not only Clark’s athletic prowess but also her deep faith and recognition of her talents as God’s blessings.
“It’s not just about scoring a lot of points or winning; she loves playing in front of a sold out arena because she gets to entertain people and bring a smile to their face,” Meyer shared in an interview with Crux, “For two hours she lets them have this great experience and she takes that pretty seriously and knows that those gifts from God are an opportunity to bring joy to other people.”
Clark was a standout varsity basketball player for Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines, Iowa, and openly expressed her faith both on and off the court. In an interview with the Des Moines Register in 2018, Clark shared, “We get to live our faith every day. Dowling starts every day with prayer and ends every day with prayer. This is a big reason why Dowling has such a special culture and is such a special place to go to school.” Her commitment to her faith is interwoven with her athletic discipline, exemplifying the school’s ethos and the role of spirituality in education.
Clark seamlessly integrated the values from her Catholic upbringing into her time with the Iowa Hawkeyes. Her Twitter feed reflected this, with posts that extend prayers to her fans and even to opponents who had sustained injuries, showcasing a spirit of compassion and community.
Caitlin Clark’s rise to prominence is a testament to the solid foundation of faith instilled in her from a young age, which has shaped her commendable attitude both on and off the basketball court. Her respectful and dignified manner, coupled with her determination to act with integrity in challenging situations, continues to shine through despite the relentless scrutiny of the public eye.
God has truly placed her, and the talent bestowed upon her at the forefront, presenting us with an opportunity to observe and perhaps learn from it.
