In the 94-year history of the James E. Sullivan Award, Caitlin Clark has become the first person to win it back-to-back, surpassing an Olympic wrestler and a Paralympic swimmer to claim this honor.

Clark’s high school coach, Kristin Meyer, accepted the award on the Indiana Fever point guard’s behalf at the New York Athletic Club. Clark provided her acceptance speech via Zoom. She was drafted by the Fever, earlier this month, after leading Iowa to the NCAA Final Four for a second year running.

Voting by the public, the AAU Sullivan Award committee, AAU board of directors, sports media and previous winners decided the winner.

The other finalists were Olympic wrestler David Taylor, Olympic speed skater Emery Lehman, gymnast Frederick Richard, Texas volleyball player Madisen Skinner and Paralympic swimmer Noah Jaffe.

The 21-year-old was selected by the Fever after leading Iowa to another Final Four appearance

Caitlin Clark is practicing with the @IndianaFever so she was unable to attend the AAU James E. Sullivan Award ceremony where she became the first two-time winner in the award’s 94-year history.

Caitlin Clark Named Winner of 93rd AAU James E. Sullivan Award – University of Iowa Athletics

Caitlin Clark is practicing with the @IndianaFever so she was unable to attend the AAU James E. Sullivan Award ceremony where she became the first two-time winner in the award’s 94-year history.

Accepting the award for Caitlin was her Dowling Catholic coach, Kristin Meyer. Cool… pic.twitter.com/2vOOYjMsGg

— Keith Murphy (@MurphyKeith) April 24, 2024

 

Accepting the award for Caitlin was her Dowling Catholic coach, Kristin Meyer. Cool… — Keith Murphy (@MurphyKeith)

The award also honors leadership, citizenship, character and sportsmanship on and off the playing field.

‘The AAU Sullivan Award is an incredible honor,’ Clark said via Zoom.

‘I have been inspired by so many athletes that came before me and I hope I can be that same inspiration for the next generation to follow their dreams.’

She’s been the main driver for the dramatic uptick in women’s basketball interest with her mix of deep 3-point shots, flashy thread-the-needle passes and overall court presence.

A women’s basketball-record 18.9 million viewers watched Iowa’s loss to South Carolina in the NCAA title game, and a WNBA-record 2.45 million watched the draft.