Indiana University Athletics
Voice of the Hoosiers
4/6/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
For the past 32 seasons, there has been one constant associated with Indiana football. To find him, one does not need to look on the field or on the sideline, but to the broadcast booth. Don Fischer has been the voice of the Hoosiers for over three decades, recognized by IU fans across the state of Indiana.
The 2005 season will mark Fischer's 33rd season in the booth, serving as the play-by-play voice for both the Hoosier football and men's basketball teams. He has been named Indiana Sportscaster of the Year 22 times by two different organizations and the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association has awarded him 18 times.
"I have been at IU for a long time and I have enjoyed my time here," Fischer said. "I have enjoyed football as much as I have enjoyed basketball. This job has allowed me to meet a ton of people, and it has allowed me to go to a tremendous amount of places."
Through the years, the 2004 Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association inductee has worked with an eccentric coach in Lee Corso and the much-respected Bill Mallory, but he is as excited as ever for the opportunity to work with new head coach Terry Hoeppner
"I cannot wait for our opening ballgame," Fischer said. "I'm looking forward to it so much because I really believe Hoeppner has brought the energy back to this program again, which we have lacked for so long."
In addition to his feeling of excitement, Fischer believes Coach Hoeppner has generated a positive atmosphere throughout the state - an element that has been missing in the program for the better part of the last decade.
"The thing that excites me about the whole program is the energy and the enthusiasm Hoeppner has brought to the program," Fischer said. "There is a buzz in this state about Indiana football for the first time in maybe 10 years. On top of that, just the fact that he brings such a love to the school and the program, I think people relate to that in this state, especially IU fans. People are excited about the upcoming year and the interest is there again."
It is one thing to bring a newfound excitement to the fan base, but Fischer believes it also will translate into victories on the gridiron. If anyone knows, it is Fischer. He has seen his share of coaching changes over the years, and he believes this change is for the best.
"I expect things to change immediately," Fischer said. "I think this team will win more ballgames this year. We have a veteran team back. We have some guys that did redshirt that have some talent, and Hoeppner brought in a very good recruiting class. From what I can see from the team and the new start under Coach Hoeppner, there is an enthusiasm and excitement we haven't seen in a while. So, I think the success will be almost immediate. I certainly believe Indiana is capable of a bowl game this upcoming season."
Speaking of bowl games, Fischer has had the opportunity to be a part of seven of the eight postseason contests the Hoosiers have played in the program's history. He broadcast the 1993 Independence Bowl, 1991 Copper Bowl, 1990 Peach Bowl 1988 Liberty Bowl, 1988 Peach Bowl and 1986 All-American Bowl, but his favorite match up was one he viewed from the comforts of his own living room.
"From a football standpoint, the 1979 season was special. That ballclub was the first winning team I broadcast under Lee Corso, and it went to the Holiday Bowl. The only game I've never done since I began broadcasting IU football is the 1979 Holiday Bowl," Fischer said. "The Mutual Broadcasting System had the rights to that broadcast and would not allow us to do our network broadcast. So, I sat in the living room and went crazy watching the broadcast on television."
The '79 Holiday Bowl is just one of several memorable moments Fischer has experienced during his tenure. Two other special moments date back to the `Bill Mallory Era'.
"The 1987 season was a memorable one for me," Fischer said. "That team beat Ohio State and Michigan in the same year. We beat Ohio State in Columbus and then knocked off Michigan a couple weeks later in Memorial Stadium in a driving rainstorm. Watching the players carry Coach Mallory off the field after beating Ohio State was awesome.
"Then in Coach Mallory's last game, we beat Purdue. The emotion the kids put into the game and the tears that were flowing and everything else that went into that win; that was a special moment as well."
How much longer he sees himself behind the microphone is anyone's guess. Right now, Fischer enjoys what he is doing and is having the time of his life.
"I hope I can keep this pace up for a long time to come," Fischer said. "I have been here for a long time and hope to be here for a lot longer time. It is so much fun. There is a lot of work involved, but it is not hard work because it is a work of love. I have been fortunate enough to be able to do something my whole life that I dreamed about doing as long as I was a kid. I have been blessed. There is no question about it."
