Have You Caught the Fever? | Christ's Church

by Dale Reeves

Story Pastor

Have you caught the fever? I have. I’m not talking about catching a summer flu, COVID, or something worse like dengue fever or malaria. I’m not even talking about chasing after and catching the red-furred mascot of Indiana’s WNBA basketball team, Freddy Fever.

But I am talking about basketball . . . specifically, women’s professional basketball. Earlier this spring, I blogged about the “Caitlin Clark Effect” Because of #22, who played for the Iowa Hawkeyes, the viewership for NCAA women’s basketball was at an all-time high this year, setting attendance records every time Caitlin took the court. For the first time in its 42-year history, more people watched the women’s NCAA championship game than the men’s championship game between the UConn Huskies and the Purdue Boilermakers. Caitlin won the Wooden National Player of the Year Award in back-to-back seasons in which she guided her Hawkeyes to two consecutive national title games, scoring a whopping 3,951 points in her college career.

According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, one definition for fever is “a state of heightened or intense emotion or activity; a contagious, usually transient enthusiasm; craze.” So, it was very appropriate when the Indiana Fever selected Caitlin as the #1 draft pick in the WNBA on April 15. It is no secret that the Hoosier State loves hoops. (Have you seen the 1986 legendary movie Hoosiers, starring Gene Hackman? I find myself watching it almost every time I channel surf and come upon it.) Many Indiana residents have developed something of a fever for the sport. Hence the name Fever. It’s sleek, easy to remember, and embodies the state of Indiana’s broader basketball interest.

In a Frenzy

So, when my older brother Steve, an Indiana resident, texted the week of the WNBA draft and said, “We need to go see the Fever play this year,” my sister Angie, brother-in-law Ed, and I said, “OK, we’re in with you and Kristen. . . . Let’s make a family memory!” That very night, Steve was on the Indiana Fever’s website ordering tickets. It was truly a frenzy, as games and arenas where Caitlin would play her rookie year were quickly filling up, and selling out—even as the prices for WNBA games escalated unlike anything they had ever seen as a league.

If you’ve been watching the news the past few months, no doubt you’ve seen some of the antics going on in the WNBA this year, as the media scrutinizes every game, every stat, and every move of Caitlin and her opponents. The comments have ranged from “She’s getting preferential treatment from the refs”; to “She’s not as good as everybody thinks she is”; to “She is being targeted with flagrant fouls by almost every opponent she faces this year.” It has been a media frenzy, setting the stage for the 2024 Summer Olympics to be held in Paris, France, for which Caitlin was not asked to be a member of the U.S. women’s basketball team.

How has Caitlin handled all this scrutiny and Clark-mania in her rookie year in the WNBA? She has had some great nights, and she has had some off nights, constantly playing in front of sold-out arenas. I think she has handled it remarkably well in her post-game interviews. Her comments have been composed and confident, and she has turned many negative situations into moments of poise and strength. Many people have noted she has exhibited grace under pressure. Her coach Christie Sides has lauded Clark for keeping her composure through all the physical play this season: “She’s continued to fight through it. Appreciate that from her. Really, really proud of her . . .”

A Feverish Pitch

This past Wednesday night I attended my first WNBA game with my brother, sister, brother- and sister-in-law, and my niece to watch the Indiana Fever take on the Washington Mystics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, even as the U.S. Olympic swimming trials were being held just down the street. The seating capacity at the Fever’s home court is just over 18,000. The place was packed, as we meandered through the mayhem to get to our seats. We were among a crowd of 17,274 to watch the Fever roll to an 88-81 defeat of the Washington Mystics. It was the Fever’s fourth straight win at home, which the team hasn’t done in nine years.

The Fever lead the WNBA in home attendance this season, averaging 16,683 fans over seven games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, while they draw an average of 15,141 fans on the road. This compared to several meager thousand a year ago. That is the rage that one phenom can bring to the game.

The noise of the crowd reached its highest feverish pitch whenever she was announced, made a three-point shot, or headed to the free-throw line. A drumline, dance team, and Freddy Fever’s mascot antics all added to the pandemonium. On the night we were there, Caitlin scored eighteen points, pulled down twelve rebounds, dished out six assists, and had four steals. No one impacts the game in multiple ways more than Caitlin. What a difference she has truly made in women’s basketball.

Women Warriors

Last week Clark became the first WNBA rookie to record 150 points, 50 rebounds, and 50 assists in a 10-game span. In response to some of the criticism Caitlin has received, tennis legend Serena Williams rallied behind Caitlin. Serena, who knows something about a media frenzy, constant pressure to perform, jealousy, dealing with racism, and even being hated on by some, said this about Caitlin:

“No matter what other people do, if people are negative then it’s because they can’t do what you do . . . and hopefully she’ll continue to do what she’s doing.”

True women warriors lift each other up!

I’ve been enjoying reading a book by my friend, co-executive director of Back2Back Ministries, Beth Guckenberger. In her book titled, Warrior of Eden: How Curiosity and Questions Lead to Understanding God’s Call for Women, Beth says this:

“A heroine may be defined as ‘a woman admired or idealized for her courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.’ . . . Heroines care more about who they are than what they do. The adventure, calling, and opportunities find them. Heroines have their eyes and hands open, trusting, believing, hoping, and dreaming of what they can co-create with their Creator. Here’s to a new generation of women more prone to action than posing.”

I’m excited that Beth will be speaking at an upcoming event at Christ’s Church this coming September 11. You can find out more about that event and register here.

Spiritual Fervor

Whether you are a WNBA fan, a female, a male, adult or youth, God has also called you to be a difference maker and be on fire . . . for him and his mission! The apostle Paul challenges us with these words: “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:11, 12, NIV).

The Message paraphrases those verses in this way: “Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder.”

As believers in Jesus, we should be able to chant this well-known cheer from the days of my youth:

We’ve got the fever, we’re hot, we can’t be stopped!

God’s team wants you and needs you to be an integral part of what he is doing in our world today. It is not without opposition, but we know that Jesus has already given us the ultimate victory. I’ve read the end of the Book—and we win!

Have you caught the fever?