Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Concluded Big Ten Media Day
7/24/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 24, 2003
Chicago, Ill.- The Big Ten Media Day and Luncheon concluded Thursday afternoon. The 32nd-annual Kickoff Luncheon capped off the two-day event.
The day started with print and radio interviews for both players and coaches at 8:00 a.m. in the Columbus section of the Hyatt Regency in downtown Chicago. Each player and coach sat at their own table, while the media went around to interview them. Indiana head coach Gerry DiNardo was one of the more popular interviews on the day. The second-year Hoosier coach saw a steady flow of media that did not get below three or four media members until the session was over.
Both fifth-year seniors Joe Gonzalez and Brian Lewis saw a wide number of interviews. Gonzalez field questions dealing with a possible match up with his younger brother Tony, who is a freshman wide receiver at Ohio State. He also talked about the new AstroPlay turf at Indiana's Memorial Stadium as well as questions about the influence of his father on his career. Lewis talked about only having 65 scholarship players, Matt LoVecchio and the injuries he incurred last season.
After a two hour interview session, the players headed across the hall for an autograph and photo session. Each team had a booth set up with memorabilia, posters and handouts of each player to sign. Gonzalez and Lewis signed handouts of themselves with action shots and headshots as well as the schedule posters at the table. Some of the livelier moments came from the Big Ten's mascots, who played various games and ran around joking with the fans.
At the end of the autograph session, all 22 student-athletes were assembled in the front of the room for a photo opportunity. The coaches followed the players before everyone went in for the 32nd Annual Kickoff Luncheon. Look for quotes from both Gonzalez and Lewis at iuhoosiers.com tomorrow.
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.
