Indiana University Athletics
Wilson Awards Eight Walk-On Scholarships
8/24/2015 9:41:00 AM | Football
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- One by one, Fred Glass called their names.
"Ben Bach…Erich Toth…Come on guys," Glass said. "…Griffin Oakes…Anthony Corsaro…Michael Cooper...Mitchell Paige…Damon Graham…Ricky Brookins…"
This was uncommon. It isn't every day IU's Director of Athletics joins practice and begins talking about the value of leadership with a list of names. The players weren't told what was coming or why Glass was making them stand in front of their entire team.
But they were about to find out.
"Guys, because you've had the courage to set high expectations and the confidence to meet and exceed it," Glass said, "I'm pleased to let you know that Kevin Wilson is extending you scholarships for the 2015 season."
Chaos ensued. A huddle formed with the seven walk-ons in the center. Everyone else was jumping up and down, yelling and congratulating their teammates.
At Indiana, a walk-on earning a scholarship is cause for celebration.
Within the Hoosiers' locker room, there's a wall dedicated to celebrating what Wilson calls "walk-on successes."
The wall is covered in a collage of nearly life-size photos of every walk-on who's earned a scholarship at Indiana during Wilson's tenure. Their names join their pictures on the wall to the left.
"Now we've got to add some guys to our wall," Wilson said.
Wilson, a former walk-on offensive lineman at North Carolina, takes pride in the success of his walk-on program. He uses the walk-on wall as a reminder to every player—scholarship or no scholarship—that those who work hard will be rewarded.
Wilson knows the emotions walk-on goes through. After paying for school himself for two seasons, he himself earned a scholarship as a junior playing for the Tar Heels.
"For me, it was special for Mom and Dad," Wilson said. "I had the same number. I had the same locker. I had the same role in practice. But the bill was now paid for. All these families sacrificed. They've got loans. They've invested time.
"I know these guys are going to be making some calls to parents, and as a parent now, I really think about that."
Wilson has awarded 41 walk-on scholarships over his five-years in Bloomington. He has two more available this year and said he may be adding two more names to the walk-on wall before too long.
But that's down the road still. Friday was reserved for celebrating the eight men who no longer need to worry about paying for school this year.
"It's kind of a motivator, but it's also an honor thing," Wilson said. "Those kids, they've done good work for us and deserve the recognition."
