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Caitlin Clark’s Insane Warmup Routine Is Changing The Game
The Magic of Meeting Caitlin Clark: How One Nurse Makes Dreams Come True at Indiana Fever Games
Published: July 31, 2026
By: Ryan Hockensmith, ESPN
The Best Seat in the House
Imagine having a seat so close to the action that you’re right next to the tunnel where the players run in and out. That’s exactly where Debbie Elson sits at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home of the Indiana Fever.
- Her seat is just a few feet above the home tunnel
- She’s face-to-face with Caitlin Clark and her teammates during warmups
- Hundreds of fans without tickets to her section line up hours early, hoping to squeeze in
- Security only lets about 20 extra fans join the lucky ones already seated
IMPORTANT POINT: Even being an arm’s length away doesn’t guarantee you’ll meet Caitlin. Most fans learn this the hard way.
Caitlin Clark’s Pregame Routine: More Than Just Basketball
Caitlin Clark isn’t just a basketball player—she’s a phenomenon. Her pregame routine has become must-see entertainment.
What Happens Before Every Game:
- The Walk-In — Clark’s outfit and entrance go viral on social media
- Intense Warmups — She shoots 3-pointers, drives to the hoop, and practices with contact drills (assistant coach Austin Kelly purposely bumps her to simulate rough defense)
- Press Conference — She talks to media about her mindset
- The "Activation" Playlist — She must hear "Applause" by Lady Gaga before she’s ready
- Final Shot Ritual — She insists on ending warmups with a made basket
FUN FACT: Clark calls getting ready "getting activated." By 12:40 PM for a 1 PM game, she’s locked in—and so is the crowd!
The "Clarkonomics" Effect
| Before Caitlin (2023) | After Caitlin (2025) |
|---|---|
| ~4,000 fans per game | 16,560 fans per game |
| Few nationally televised games | All 44 games nationally televised (league first!) |
Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer Debbie Antonelli coined the term "Clarkonomics"—the massive spike in every metric related to the WNBA, directly tied to Caitlin’s popularity.
The Kimball Family’s Journey from West Texas
Meet the Kimball family from West Texas:
- Mom Kendi and Dad Chris (both nurses!)
- Three girls: Kayley (9), Kiley (9), and Kassidy (4)
- They fell in love with Caitlin watching her at Iowa on TV
- Family movie nights became Caitlin Clark watch parties
WHY IT MATTERS: "Life is bigger than basketball," says Kendi. "But it’s so important to have good role models for my three girls. Caitlin certainly is that."
The Race to Section 2
Getting close to Caitlin is like winning the lottery—except you have to sprint for it.
The Gauntlet (Step by Step):
- Arrive 3+ hours early — The Kimballs got there at 3 PM for a 7:30 PM game
- Wait in massive lines — Hundreds of fans already waiting
- Sprint when gates open at 5:30 PM — Security yells "Don’t run!" but everyone bolts anyway
- Be among the lucky 20 — Ushers count fans off: Kayley #17, Kiley #18, Kassidy #19, Mom #20
- Dad gets cut — Chris was #21 → sent to upper deck
- Fight through the crowd — 50+ people already packed at the rail
- Wait and hope — For 75+ minutes while Caitlin warms up
The girls held their treasures:
- Kayley: Caitlin’s #22 jersey
- Kiley: Basketball and marker
- Kassidy: Giant poster (wrapped around her arm like a cast—it was almost as big as she was!)
Enter Debbie Elson: The "Autograph Angel"
Right as the Kimballs were about to give up, Debbie Elson spotted them.
Who Is Debbie Elson?
- 61 years old, single, night nurse (11 PM – 7 AM at a long-term care facility)
- Fever season ticket holder since the 4,000-fan days
- Bought one expensive lower-bowl ticket in 2023 knowing Caitlin would be drafted
- Recovering from open-heart surgery four years ago
- Known by every usher, security guard, and staff member
Her Secret Mission:
"I try to spot the saddest kid. And I invite them to stand with me at my seat."
Her track record: ~80% of the time, Caitlin stops and signs for her guests.
Previous miracles:
- Helped a crying mom and daughter from guest services → both got autographs
- Helped Annie Howard at season opener → got autograph + free Fever gear box from staff
- Arena workers now point out kids for her to help
The Moment of Truth: Will Caitlin Stop?
The Kimballs followed Debbie down to her prime spot. Other Fever players stopped:
- Kelsey Mitchell signed
- Sophie Cunningham signed
But Caitlin is different. She’s swimming through a sea of 100+ fans crammed into space for 50. Security forms a human wall. Even two grown men who flew from DC for a birthday trip got blocked by security.
Caitlin’s dilemma:
"I always try to take 10-15 minutes to sign on the way in… It’s a humbling thing—when you see little girls who look up to you… But I have to lock in for the game. That’s my first priority."
The clock is ticking. 15 minutes until game time. Caitlin has to get to the locker room.
A Dream Come True
In 20 seconds that felt like both a millisecond and two hours:
| Girl | Item | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Kayley | #22 Jersey | SIGNED |
| Kiley | Basketball | SIGNED |
| Kassidy | Giant Poster | SIGNED |
One. Two. Three. Just like that.
The girls exchanged wide-eyed looks. Mom Kendi snapped a photo and caught Debbie’s eye—Debbie smiled back.
"I never had kids myself," Debbie says. "So this warms my heart."
The Kimballs could only whisper: "Thank you." They froze. They stayed a bit longer while Caitlin signed for others. Then headed to their seats. Debbie got tiny hugs from three happy girls.
Why This Matters: More Than Just an Autograph
The Fever won a memorable comeback that night. But the real victory happened in the tunnel.
The Ride Home:
- Girls clutching their signed gear in the car
- Past bedtime (11 PM), but "rules can be massaged"
- That zombie-tired stage where kids are too wired to sleep
- An hour later: finally quiet
In the Darkness, a Whisper:
"Mom, when can we go back?"
Summary
- Caitlin Clark has transformed the Indiana Fever and the WNBA ("Clarkonomics")
- Pregame at Gainbridge Fieldhouse is a chaotic, high-stakes scene for autographs
- Debbie Elson, a night nurse with a heart of gold, uses her prime seat to make dreams come true for kids who’d otherwise miss out
- The Kimball family drove from West Texas for their one chance—and thanks to Debbie, all three girls got Caitlin’s autograph
- It’s not just about signatures—it’s about role models, family memories, and the magic of "I was there"
FAQ
How early do fans need to arrive to get close to the tunnel?
Fans line up 3+ hours before game time. Doors open 90 minutes before tipoff, and security only allows ~20 extra fans into the lower bowl section near the tunnel.
Does Caitlin Clark sign autographs every game?
She tries to spend 10-15 minutes signing before each game, but she can’t reach everyone. She balances fan time with "locking in" for the game.
Who is Debbie Elson and why does she help kids?
Debbie is a 61-year-old night nurse and season ticket holder. She buys one prime seat near the tunnel and invites "the saddest kid" she sees to stand with her. ~80% of the time, Caitlin stops for them.
What is "Clarkonomics"?
A term coined by analyst Debbie Antonelli describing the massive spike in WNBA attendance, TV ratings, and popularity directly caused by Caitlin Clark’s arrival.
Why did the Kimball family travel all the way from West Texas?
They fell in love watching Caitlin at Iowa on TV. It became a family tradition. Mom Kendi says Caitlin is the kind of role model she wants for her three daughters. This was their one shot to see her live.
"There are so many things the Kimballs feel about Caitlin Clark that they want to tell her at this moment… The Kimballs tell her none of those things. ‘Thank you,’ is all anybody can muster."
