As Iowa State's center and star player Audi Crooks stepped to the free throw line late on Wednesday December 10, emotions were running high. Rather than a seething rivalry, it seems that an emotional bonding moment over late fathers left a deeper mark.

Alongside Crooks, who lost her father in 2021, Iowa State Coach Bill Fennelly, who also lost his father a few years ago around the same time, shared a powerful gesture that captured the emotion of the moment. Pointing towards the sky, Fennelly silently reminded Audi that her father was watching her.

“It was a special moment,” Crooks reflected in the postgame conference as they both bonded over shared loss.

For Audi, the game held several memories and nostalgia. She and her father had been avid Iowa vs. Iowa State fans, passionately watching and discussing every matchup. The loss of her father in August 2021 left a void, especially in moments like these when their shared love for basketball was felt so strongly.

Just before taking the free throw that put Iowa State up by four, Audi was moved to tears. The memory of her father’s presence gave her both comfort and strength.

In the first half of the game, when Audi was ready to lift her team, Coach Fennelly recalled a moment telling the press: “She looked at me and goes, 'We've got two up there, we're good.' I said, 'Make some damn layups and we'll be good.'” This call for confidence amidst grief was the spirit that carried the Cyclones to an emotional victory.

Coach Fennelly too found comfort in the moment, knowing his father, who passed away six years ago tomorrow, was watching from above. The game became more than a rivalry showdown. It was a subtle tribute to the fathers who shaped their lives and encouraged the love for basketball.

Written by

Fatema Kapasi

Edited by

Joyita Das