Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University Tailgate Tour Sets Record
6/12/2009 12:00:00 AM | Varsity Club
June 12, 2009
Bloomington, Indiana - The 2009 Indiana University Tailgate Tour has set a record attracting more than 2,500 Hoosier fans through six stops on its annual trek around the state. The tour kicked off in Bloomington on May 12 and had its last stop in Jasper on June 4.
Head coaches Tom Crean, Sherry Dunbar, Felisha Legette-Jack, Bill Lynch and Vice President/Director of Athletics Fred Glass also visited Evansville (May 21), Jeffersonville (May 27), Merrillville (June 1) and Fort Wayne (June 3).
"Indiana University Athletics is back!" said Glass. "This unprecedented support is a shot in the arm to everyone connected with IU Athletics. We would like to thank the hundreds of fans who come to our events as well as the University and local organizations who made the events possible."
Key volunteers who helped organize the events around the state included Kay Terkhorn in Bloomington, John Hevron and Charlie Cantwell in Evansville, Les Wright in Louisville/ Southern Indiana, Larry Alt and Shirley Manning in Merrillville/ Northwest Indiana, David Davis in Fort Wayne/ Northeast Indiana, and Nancy Otte in Jasper.
The tour allowed IU's head coaches to thank fans and alumni for their support and provide insights on the 2009-2010 football, basketball and volleyball seasons. One more stop is scheduled for Indianapolis on Wednesday, Aug. 26. The time and venue will be announced at a later date.
The tour got off to a rousing start at the DeVault Alumni Center before Glass and the coaches headed to the Eagle Valley Golf Club in Evansville where they were greeted by a group of more than 300 IU backers.
Another standout crowd of close to 800 awaited the Hoosiers for their annual stop at Huber Winery in Jeffersonville. In addition to the aforementioned Indiana coaches' cavalry, the IU baseball team made a surprise appearance en route to its NCAA Regional in Louisville. Two days later, approximately 1,500 Hoosier fans were among the sellout crowd of 4,600 when the Hoosiers battled the Cardinals on their home field.
"It was a tremendous event for our program to be a part of," said Baseball Coach Tracy Smith. "I know our players really appreciated the fan support in Louisville and the stop over at Huber Farms really helped get us a lot of attention."
After enjoying some Southern hospitality, the Tailgate Tour headed North up Interstate 65 to Merrillville and East on US 30 for a stop in Fort Wayne. The Merrillville Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza hosted a contingent of close to 300 fans, a large increase from the number of fans a year ago.
"It is always an honor to meet and spend time with so many Hoosier fans throughout the state," said Crean. "Everywhere we went, you could feel a level of enthusiasm that was inspiring. It reaffirms my belief that Indiana is a special place and our supporters are among the most loyal in the country."
Extra tables were needed as an overflowing crowd of provided a rousing ovation poured into Fort Wayne's Ceruti's Catering. Fort Wayne proved once again it is IU territory. "The visits in the Northern part of the state were absolutely incredible," Lynch said. "I always love going to Fort Wayne and this year was no different. The stop in Merrillville compared to 2008, it was night and day. It is a great reward for us to visit the fans and supporters of all of our programs. Thank you Hoosiers and we can't wait to come to Indy."
The tour concluded with another strong showing as 300-plus people cheered on the Hoosiers at Dave Buehler Plaza in Jasper.
"This year's Tailgate Tour has been sensational," Legette-Jack said. "We had a tremendous turnout at each stop, and it was exhilarating to feel the enthusiasm of the Hoosier Nation! The only thing that topped the Hoosier Nation was the thrill of hanging out with my fellow coaches. I truly believe Indiana Athletics is alive and well."
The 2009 Tailgate Tour is sponsored by the IU Varsity Club and the IU Alumni Association. Proceeds from the tour benefit Indiana University and the student-athlete scholarship fund.
For more information, please contact the IU Varsity Club at 812-855-0866 or varsity@indiana.edu. Up-to-date tour details and registration information can also be found on the Tailgate Tour web site.
"The Hoosier faithful lived up to their name at every stop we made throughout the state," Dunbar said. "We were looking forward to meeting the fans who support IU Athletics, and we were really pleased that so many people turned out to welcome us to their communities. We are all working hard toward winning seasons to reward all of that enthusiasm!"
