Caitlin Clark to be keynote speaker at University of the Cumberlands

WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. (FOX 56) — A basketball superstar is headed to Kentucky at the end of March.

According to a news release, WNBA phenom Caitlin Clark will be a guest speaker at the University of the Cumberlands “Annual Excellence in Leadership” in March.

Clark’s list of records and accolades, at only 23, is staggering. Her inaugural season in the WNBA resulted in packed arenas, exploding viewership, and an increase in interest in women’s sports, according to the release. Her list of accolades includes:

• 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year
• 2024 First Team All WNBA
• 2024 WNBA All-Star
• 2024 WNBA 1st Overall Pick
• NCAA All-Time Leading Scorer (Men & Women)
• NCAA All-Time 3-PT FG Leader (Women)
• 4x AP All American
• 2x Naismith Women’s College Player of the Year
• 2x John R. Wooden Award
• 3x Academic All-American

“Clark is uniquely positioned to resonate with our students, as she is close in age to many of them and not too far removed from her own college experience,” said Dr. Larry Cockrum. “Clark holds several impressive titles but has stuck close to her roots, using her platform to empower and uplift young athletes. The Cumberlands community will learn much from her exceptional career and dedication to leadership.” 

On top of her impressive resume on the court, Clark is also working to extend her impact on the younger generation, encouraging them to keep dreaming big. She created The Caitlin Clark Foundation, which aims to improve and uplift the lives of youth and their communities through the three pillars of her success:

• Education
• Nutrition
• Sports

Clark is set to take the stage at 7 p.m. on March 25. The event will be held in the O. Wayne Rollins Center. Tickets are free to the public but are being handed out on a first-come, first-served basis.

Other notable keynote speakers include Drew Brees, Laila Ali, Terry Bradshaw, Shaquille O’Neal, and many others.