Indiana Impresses Pinstripe Bowl Reps
12/13/2015 1:22:00 PM | Football
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - As the New Era Pinstripe Bowl selection committee mulled over its options with invitations in hand, Indiana kept checking off all the boxes.
The Hoosiers were hungry, Pinstripe Bowl Senior Manager John Mosley said. IU went seven seasons without a bowl game and would be appreciative of the opportunity to play at Yankee Stadium.
Indiana's large New York alumni based played a factor in the selection, too. The Midwestern school's East Coast presence would all but assure fans would fill the stands. IU's closes losses against top-ranked teams in the competitive Big Ten proved the Hoosiers were an exciting and competitive enough team, and ABC had the ratings to back it up.
Above all else, Mosley said the selection committee purely wanted to see Indiana play.
"I just think they're an exciting team," Mosley said.
Mosley and the George M. Steinbrenner Trophy spent the last few days with head coach Kevin Wilson and his team leading up to IU's December 26th matchup with Duke in New York.
The trophy toured Bloomington for pictures with fans and was brought out during Saturday night's men's basketball game against McNeese State to a standing ovation from the Assembly Hall crowd.
Mosley said he's gotten to know Wilson well in their brief time together, reassuring him that the committee made the right choice in inviting Indiana to play in the sixth annual Pinstripe Bowl.
"There's another oomf about him that I've learned the last few days," Mosley said of Wilson. "I think he wants something for these kids. And I think he's preparing them not only for football, but for another life. Football happens to be a conduit for it. His coaching staff tends to be on board with him. The last few days, it's been a very pleasant experience to watch."
Mosley explained before Saturday's basketball game that inviting a deserving team is vital to the Pinstripe Bowl's success. He went on to say the game itself is critical in branding college football in the Northeast, where the Pinstripe Bowl is the only major postseason game thanks.
But when the Yankees committed to rebuilding Yankee Stadium, George Steinbrenner was firm in saying the field would need to be able to host a football game. And although his death in 2010 meant he never got to see a game himself, Indiana and Duke are carrying on the tradition he envisioned.
"This game means a lot to the New York Yankees. It means a lot to the Steinbrenner family," Mosley said. "Mr. Steinbrenner wanted to make sure that we would be able to host college football and bring big time college football back to New York City and to the area."
Mosley, who played football at Notre Dame, said he could relate to Indiana's excitement about going to a bowl. He himself played in the Sugar Bowl as a freshman in 1980 and the
Liberty Bowl as a senior in 1983 and knows firsthand how important the postseason is to a team.
He called the Pinstripe Bowl experience a "once in a lifetime opportunity" to enjoy New York and all the game has to offer. The teams will take breaks from game preparation to attend a comedy club, the Rockefeller Center, the National September 11 Memorial, Radio City Music Hall and a holiday party at Yankee Stadium, among other things.
"I express to the fans and the teams and the parents to take advantage of this opportunity," Mosley said. "I think it's going to be a great game.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - As the New Era Pinstripe Bowl selection committee mulled over its options with invitations in hand, Indiana kept checking off all the boxes.
The Hoosiers were hungry, Pinstripe Bowl Senior Manager John Mosley said. IU went seven seasons without a bowl game and would be appreciative of the opportunity to play at Yankee Stadium.
Indiana's large New York alumni based played a factor in the selection, too. The Midwestern school's East Coast presence would all but assure fans would fill the stands. IU's closes losses against top-ranked teams in the competitive Big Ten proved the Hoosiers were an exciting and competitive enough team, and ABC had the ratings to back it up.
Above all else, Mosley said the selection committee purely wanted to see Indiana play.
"I just think they're an exciting team," Mosley said.
Mosley and the George M. Steinbrenner Trophy spent the last few days with head coach Kevin Wilson and his team leading up to IU's December 26th matchup with Duke in New York.
The trophy toured Bloomington for pictures with fans and was brought out during Saturday night's men's basketball game against McNeese State to a standing ovation from the Assembly Hall crowd.
Mosley said he's gotten to know Wilson well in their brief time together, reassuring him that the committee made the right choice in inviting Indiana to play in the sixth annual Pinstripe Bowl.
"There's another oomf about him that I've learned the last few days," Mosley said of Wilson. "I think he wants something for these kids. And I think he's preparing them not only for football, but for another life. Football happens to be a conduit for it. His coaching staff tends to be on board with him. The last few days, it's been a very pleasant experience to watch."
Mosley explained before Saturday's basketball game that inviting a deserving team is vital to the Pinstripe Bowl's success. He went on to say the game itself is critical in branding college football in the Northeast, where the Pinstripe Bowl is the only major postseason game thanks.
But when the Yankees committed to rebuilding Yankee Stadium, George Steinbrenner was firm in saying the field would need to be able to host a football game. And although his death in 2010 meant he never got to see a game himself, Indiana and Duke are carrying on the tradition he envisioned.
"This game means a lot to the New York Yankees. It means a lot to the Steinbrenner family," Mosley said. "Mr. Steinbrenner wanted to make sure that we would be able to host college football and bring big time college football back to New York City and to the area."
Mosley, who played football at Notre Dame, said he could relate to Indiana's excitement about going to a bowl. He himself played in the Sugar Bowl as a freshman in 1980 and the
Liberty Bowl as a senior in 1983 and knows firsthand how important the postseason is to a team.
He called the Pinstripe Bowl experience a "once in a lifetime opportunity" to enjoy New York and all the game has to offer. The teams will take breaks from game preparation to attend a comedy club, the Rockefeller Center, the National September 11 Memorial, Radio City Music Hall and a holiday party at Yankee Stadium, among other things.
"I express to the fans and the teams and the parents to take advantage of this opportunity," Mosley said. "I think it's going to be a great game.
FB: Inside IU Football with Curt Cignetti - Week 4 (Illinois)
Thursday, September 18
FB: Under the Hood with Indiana Football - Week 4 (Illinois)
Wednesday, September 17
FB: Mikail Kamara Media Availability (9/16/25)
Tuesday, September 16
FB: Kellan Wyatt Media Availability (9/16/25)
Tuesday, September 16