Indiana University Athletics
Jerry and Evelyn Archer--A True Cream & Crimson Couple
9/25/2006 12:00:00 AM | Varsity Club
Sept. 25, 2006
Dedication. There is no other way to characterize Jerry Archer's commitment to Indiana football. For 53 years, Archer has been an enthusiastic and unwavering supporter of the Hoosiers. From the old football stadium on 10th Street, to Memorial Stadium, Archer's support has outlasted five decades of changes.
Archer has been donning the Cream and Crimson in support of the Indiana football program through 10 coaching changes, while witnessing over 25 Hoosier All-Americans take the field, all eight of Indiana's bowl game appearances and numerous facility upgrades including the newly approved state-of the-art North End Zone project.
For 36 consecutive seasons, Archer has not missed an IU home game and has traveled to the majority of Indiana's away games to cheer on the Hoosiers. Archer's genuine love for the game, for Indiana University and for IU's student-athletes is the simplest explanation for his many years of support.
"We have continued to attend games because we love the college game and the game atmosphere," Archer said. "We do it to support the kids that represent IU. Football is the ultimate team game and can teach lessons about life that players will encounter in their professional careers. Getting up after you're knocked down, the thinking process--the strategy and never giving up are qualities in the game that are impossible to teach elsewhere."
It's not the Bowl wins or the long list of All-Americans that impress Archer the most about the program. Rather, it's the first-class operation the Indiana Athletic Department runs that he finds the most pride in. "My favorite aspect of Indiana Athletics is that we run an honest program where academics comes first," Archer said.
In addition to supporting what Archer believes is a well-run athletic program where the student really exists in the student-athlete, there are many aspects related to football that have kept him coming back year after year. "We enjoy the game day experience, including tailgating with friends and visiting campus," Archer said. "We have been fortunate to meet all of the previous coaches and their staffs. Many of the players we have met have been great kids as well."
Archer's love for IU football has carried over to his wife, Evelyn. Now, Evelyn shares the same passion for the Hoosiers as her husband. "Evelyn began coming to the games after we were married," Archer said. "She came from a small school in eastern Indiana that was too small to have a football team, so she had not been exposed to the game of football until we were married. She is almost as fanatic about football now as anyone."
The Archers are the embodiment of a true Hoosier Fan. They love the game of football, and they believe in and are committed to the Indiana University Athletic Program and its student-athletes. They have been unwavering in their devotion to the Cream and Crimson through three-and-a half decades of coaching changes, facility changes, and good years and lean years, wearing the colors proudly every time the Hoosiers take the field.
