The Caitlin Effect

Before Caitlin Clark, nobody thought people would watch women's sports. In golf, we get something like 20% of the media coverage and the rest is on the men's side. Caitlin Clark just blew that up. If you say Caitlin, everybody knows who you're talking about. 

NCAA Women’s Basketball shattered every record for viewing figures, male or female. People want to watch elite athletes and she is elite. 

Anything that brings the spotlight to the women's game, whether it's basketball or golf or tennis or gymnastics, is important. These kids are unbelievably talented. They are elite level and they need to be showcased. 

I believe what’s happened in NCAA basketball is only going to help us. People now know who the best basketball player is so the next thing they will want to know is who's the best female golfer? Who's the best male golfer? Who's the best team?  

In 2016 when we won the National Championship in Oregon (pictured), there were people who didn't even know we had a golf team.

Caitlin Clark and Rose Zhang don't roll out of bed. They work their tails off.

Once you get that air time it becomes a tremendous source of pride as an alumni or supporter. Usually this comes with a football or basketball team but there are more than 20 NCAA sponsored sports at Washington and all of these other student athletes are elite at what they do as well. 

Most people would give their right arm to do what these guys do, but it's not easy. They're up early, they're up late. They are juggling. They've got a lot of balls in the air, so to see them perform at a really high level and understand what they go through on a daily basis is really great. 

One thing is for sure: Caitlin Clark and Rose Zhang don't roll out of bed and be the kind of athletes they are. You have to work at it. Sure, there's some God-given talent, but I guarantee you those kids probably spend more time in the gym than anybody. I don’t know them personally but I guarantee you they work their tails off. Anyone at that level has to.

You used to need one good player. Now you have to be five or six deep.

Women’s golf has definitely gotten bigger and better. I think a lot of that has to do with the college game. Some kids want to turn pro but most college coaches will tell them that they can spend $90,000 a year of their own money to play in tournaments, or they can come to college, play a dozen or so golf tournaments a year all expenses paid, plus they can get an education.

The quality of players in college is extremely high. You look at the scores these guys are shooting now, it's unbelievable. When I first started, you needed one good player and a supporting cast. Now you have to be five or six deep. I think that's a direct result of Title IX and the opportunities that have been created by that.

It's not by accident that all this has happened. It has been a progression and it takes time, but you're starting to see this crossover not just with golf, but in baseball, football, basketball, 

It's about talent, it's not about gender.  You're starting to see the respect that these women are garnering as coaches at the professional level in male-dominated sports. To me, when I see a female Major League umpire or a female NFL referee, I just shake my head. I never thought I'd see the day.

It's fun to sit back and watch and see how things are evolving for women. It's really exciting.

Marylou Mulflur is the Head Coach of the Washington women's team. Photograph of Caitlin Clark courtesy of the NCAA