WEST DES MOINES, IOWA – For Caitlin Clark, March 2025 has been a whirlwind. From leading Iowa in a dramatic NCAA Tournament run to being the face of college basketball across the nation, the All-American superstar has been praised for her on-court brilliance and off-court poise. But nothing prepared her fans—or her hometown—for what happened during a surprise visit to her alma mater, Dowling Catholic High School.
What was meant to be a low-key stop to see former teachers and support staff turned into a moment that brought the entire community to tears.
A Quiet Legend Still Sweeping the Halls
While walking through the polished halls of Dowling Catholic, Clark paused near the gymnasium she once dominated as a high school phenom. But what caught her attention wasn’t the basketball banners hanging above—it was the familiar figure mopping the floor beneath them.
1,111 School Janitor Stock Photos, High-Res Pictures, and Images – Getty Images | Janitor, Cleaning, Cleaner
“Is that… Mr. Russell?” she reportedly whispered to her former assistant coach.
Indeed, it was.
Eighty-year-old James Russell, the longtime school janitor who had worked at Dowling Catholic for over six decades, was still there, quietly going about his duties with the same pride and humility he had the day Clark first met him as a freshman.
“I couldn’t believe he was still working,” Clark said in an emotional interview later that day. “He’s the kindest man I’ve ever met. Always made us laugh. Always stayed late to lock up after games. He deserves the world.”
And in true Caitlin Clark fashion—she meant it.
Her Next Move Leaves Staff and Students Speechless
What happened next stunned everyone.
Clark immediately asked to speak with the school’s principal and financial coordinator. According to several sources, she quietly arranged to fund a full retirement package for Mr. Russell—complete with healthcare coverage, a brand-new Ford truck (his had broken down three winters ago), and a $50,000 bonus to help him finally take the fishing trip to Montana he had spoken of for years but never taken.
“She didn’t want attention for it,” said Principal Theresa Madden. “But how could we not celebrate such a gesture? It’s not just about money. It’s about gratitude. Caitlin didn’t forget the people who helped shape her.”
Clark eager to enjoy the ride | News, Sports, Jobs – Times Republican
A Viral Moment from a Humble Hero
The moment Mr. Russell was surprised with his retirement package was captured in a tear-jerking video posted to the school’s Instagram page. In the footage, the elderly janitor stands stunned, trembling as Clark hugs him tightly and whispers, “You’ve always taken care of us. Now it’s our turn.”
Within hours, the video had been shared by ESPN, Bleacher Report, and dozens of celebrities. NBA legends like Magic Johnson and Dwyane Wade reposted the video, praising Clark’s character and reminding the world that true greatness extends far beyond the hardwood.
“Caitlin Clark has the heart of a champion—on and off the court,” Magic Johnson wrote. “This is what leadership looks like.”
Clark’s gesture sparked conversations around the country about underappreciated school staff and elderly workers who continue to work past retirement age out of necessity.
Soon after the story broke, Clark’s agent revealed that she had committed to donating part of her upcoming NIL earnings to a scholarship fund for support staff children in Iowa public schools.
“She wants to keep this going,” the agent said. “To Caitlin, Mr. Russell represents countless unsung heroes across the country.”