Indiana University Athletics
The Silver Tint of Success
12/4/2007 12:00:00 AM | General
Dec. 4, 2007
Coach Hoeppner frequently recited the poem "Don't Quit" as a mantra to guide the hard work and effort of all those affiliated with IU Football. Today the final stanza of the poem resonates more than ever:
Success is failure turned inside out
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit,
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit!
How appropriate these words were for the 2007 IU Football season. At the beginning of the season there was cautious optimism. Many IU fans wanted to believe the Football Hoosiers were close to turning the corner, seeing the silver tint in the clouds - but committing fully to a team is difficult after twelve losing seasons and thirteen straight years without a bowl berth.
Those of you who stuck with the team (heck, even those of you who bailed but came back after the Purdue game) have seen a season of rewards.
As fans we were rewarded by the dedication of the team and the coaching staff, and saw it culminate with a victory off of the foot of Austin Starr to bring home the Old Oaken Bucket. We've seen a season that concluded without a debate of what-ifs and coaching uncertainty, but instead with positive energy and a bowl invitation.
The athletic department and IU administration rewarded Coach Bill Lynch with a new contract to coach the IU Football Hoosiers through 2011. With a 7-5 record, a victory over Purdue, and an Insight Bowl berth, the Hoosier's 2007 season reflects the stability their coach and his staff brought to the Football Hoosiers in a time of difficulty.
The coaching staff rewarded recruits with news of further leadership stability heading into next season. Young men and their families who possessed even the slightest uncertainty are now relieved to know Coach Lynch is leading the team with the same vision and system that interested them in the first place. The coaching staff, including Coach Lynch, has already hit the road to recruit the next group of strong, fast athletes to build on IU's success.
The Insight Bowl rewarded the football program with an invitation to play Oklahoma State on New Year's Eve. The selection reinforced what we already know: IU earned its trip to a bowl as an exciting team with a compelling storyline. It's appropriate that bowl officials recognized these factors, and we fans are rewarded knowing that Coach Hep will be remembered throughout the Insight Bowl coverage as a central factor in IU's invitation to play in Tempe on New Year's Eve.
One question remains: How will IU fans reward the program for the exciting 2007 season? I've got some ideas.
First fans can reward IU Football by buying tickets for the Insight Bowl and traveling to Tempe to support the Hoosiers. We need a powerful Crimson presence in ASU's Sun Devil Stadium - not only to show the support of IU but to counter what will be a large and raucous Oklahoma State fan base. A loud Hoosier crowd is critical beyond the Insight Bowl, as our IU fan turnout at this bowl appearance will impact future bowl invitations.
Second, fans can show Coach Lynch the support he deserves. I respect everything Terry Hoeppner represents, including the hope and excitement he brought to Indiana as head coach. Coach Hep came to IU with a vision for turning the program around and put the foundation in place that made the 2007 season possible. The fan chants of "Terry Hoeppner" ringing throughout the stadium are well deserved.
My hopes are the fan chants of "Coach Bill Lynch" will soon follow. Under the leadership of Coach Lynch, Indiana football saw dramatic improvements in nearly all aspects of the game. The offense made more first downs, converted a higher percentage of third down yards per game, and gained more yards than they did in 2006. The defense held opponents to fewer offensive yards gained, increased the number of interceptions, and recorded three times the number of sacks than in 2006. The IU coaching staff continues to develop the talent and has earned their recognition.
The final reward for IU Football should be more fans sitting in Memorial Stadium in 2008. The only way this will happen is for fans to have faith in the program - which will require all of us who are on board and behind the team to remind other fans who are hesitant that it is indeed safe to be a Hoosier Football Fan. If each season ticket holder could convince just one person to buy a season ticket next year, Memorial Stadium would be a daunting place for opponents to come to face the Hoosiers.
Savor the moment and remember the feeling. This is what IU football feels like when we win. But never forget that the beneath the silver tint are clouds of doubt - and that is what should drive the program forward. I hope to see you in Tempe. Until then, Go Hoosiers!
