Indiana University Athletics
Big Ten Media Day Preview
7/21/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 21, 2003
Gonzalez, Lewis to Represent IU at Big Ten Kickoff Luncheon
Bloomington, Ind.- The Big Ten Football Media Day and 32nd Annual Kick off Luncheon will be held July 23 and 24 in the Hyatt Regency in downtown Chicago. The annual event is the largest pre-season college football celebration in the country and will be attended by over 200 media members, 1,500 fans and 22 current Big Ten student-athletes. The head coaches from all 11 Big Ten schools will also be present.
Fifth-year seniors Joe Gonzalez and Brian Lewis will represent Indiana. Both are coming off seasons that were cut short due to injuries. Gonzalez was granted a medical redshirt last season when his senior campaign was ended after only three games due to a hernia. Lewis ranked second on the team last season in rushing despite missing five games, including the last four with a thumb injury.
Gonzalez returns as the Hoosiers No. 1 free safety in 2003. He is the most experienced returning IU player with 36 career games played and 14 career starts. Before his 2002 season was cut short, Gonzalez had 18 tackles and an interception against Kentucky, which he returned for a touchdown. In 2001, the Avon Lake, Ohio, product was named honorable mention All-Big Ten by both the media and coaches, while making 65 tackles, including five for loss.
His success goes beyond the playing field as he is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and in 2001, was named to the Verizon Academic All-District V team. This past spring, Gonzalez represented IU at the NCAA Leadership Conference.
Lewis returns as the Indiana's starting tailback and its active career rushing leader with 929 yards on 192 carries. Despite missing five games in 2002, he was the team's second-leading rusher with 458 yards. The St. Louis, Mo., native rushed for over 100 yards twice in 2002 with 121 against Iowa and 101 versus Central Michigan.
The athletes and coaches will hold various interviews with local and national television, radio and print media. There will also be an autograph session for the fans with both the players and coaches from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Columbus C-F rooms at the Hyatt on Thursday, July 24.
The Hoosiers will open their 2003 campaign on the road in just over five weeks. Indiana will travel to Connecticut to battle the Huskies as they open their new stadium, Rentschler Field. The game is set for August 30 at 11:00 a.m. For ticket information call 1-866-IUSPORTS.
| Team | Players |
| Illinois | Jon Beutjer, Sr., QB Carey Davis, Sr., FB |
| Indiana | Brian Lewis, Sr., RB Joe Gonzalez, Sr., S |
| Iowa | Robert Gallery, Sr., OL Bob Sanders, Sr., DB |
| Michigan | John Navarre, Sr., QB Malrin Jackson, Jr., CB |
| Michigan State | Tyrell Dortch, Jr., RB Ronald Stanley, Jr., LB |
| Minnesota | Thomas Tapeh, Sr., RB Ben Utecht, Sr., TE |
| Northwestern | Jason Wright, Sr., RB Pat Durr, Sr., LB |
| Ohio State | Alex Stepanovich, Sr., C Darrion Scott, Sr., DT |
| Penn State | Gino Capone, Sr., LB Tony Johnson, Sr., WR |
| Purdue | Kyle Orton, Jr., QB Shaun Phillips, Sr., DE |
| Wisconsin | Jim Sorgi, Sr., QB Jeff Mack, Sr., LB |
