A Man Called Hutch – Saying Goodbye to Terry Hutchens
12/21/2018 5:26:00 PM | General
BY PETE DIPRIMIO
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - They called him Hutch.
That was enough.
Mention the name and a smile would erupt, a story would follow.
Terry Hutchens had that effect on people.
In so many ways, despite the car accident that tragically took the veteran Indiana University sports writer's life at age 60, he still does.
"Hutch's passing has stunned and saddened all of our broadcast team," said Don Fischer, the long-time Voice of the Hoosiers. "He was our football statistician for almost 20 years and was exceptional in that role.
"But he was so much more than that. His trash-talking, dry wit and sarcastic humor made every Saturday special. He could dish it out, and he was also able to take the verbal hits that had everyone laughing, smiling and enjoying our time together."
Added IU head basketball coach Archie Miller in a tweet: "Saddened to hear the news of the passing of Terry Hutchens! Our deepest thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Susan, mother Dena, sister Kelly and two sons and Bryan and Kevin. RIP Terry, you were truly one of the best!"
Everybody, it seemed, knew Hutch -- sports fans, coaches, college administrators and so many more. He was a big guy with a big sense of humor and an even bigger heart.
Word of his accident hit like a fist to the gut to those who knew him, and who knew of him.
"All of us with the IU Athletics Family are deeply saddened by the passing of Terry Hutchens," IU Vice President and Director of Athletics Fred Glass said. "He was a great chronicler of IU Athletics history for over 20 years, but far more importantly, a devoted father, husband and a treasured friend to so many.
"I will dearly miss him and our deepest sympathies are with his wife, Susan, and sons Bryan and Kevin."
You were never a stranger long around Hutch. He was forever introducing himself, offering handshakes, opinions, help and, inevitably, jokes or wisecracks. He was always willing to share -- a ride, a word, a kind gesture, a good-natured ribbing.
But not scoops. Kindness had competitive journalism limits.
Hutch could be famously grumpy or warmly charming, sometimes within the same minute. He wasn't afraid of hard work or adjusting to life's curves.
More than ever these days, curves are part of journalism.
Hutch was as prolific a writer as the state has produced, from countless stories for newspapers such as the Indy Star and CHNI Sports Indiana to at least 11 sports-related books (10 pertaining to IU) and more. He spent years teaching sports writing at IU, and there are a lot of people in the profession who are better because of it.
Sometimes that teaching insight turned unconventional. As former Indiana student Jordan Littman tweeted recently, "As my professor, (he) told me to never wear pajama pants to class again. He played a huge role in getting my career started, and I always will be grateful to him for that."
As a sports writer, you sometimes have to ask tough questions, uncomfortable questions, questions that would tick off a coach or administrator or athlete.
Hutch would always ask -- sometimes with a touch of humor to lighten the mood.
"My heart goes out to the Hutchens family," IU football coach Tom Allen said. "Terry had such class and professionalism, and I was fortunate to get to know him over these past three seasons.
"We thank him for everything he gave to our program, our fans and our university. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time."
Hutch thrived in the long hours, late nights, tight deadlines, break-story pressures and the grueling drives -- often in brutal weather -- to and from games.
He was a dedicated reporter with a vast network of contacts he never hesitated to utilize for maximum impact.
He was highly regarded enough that at least two Big Ten basketball coaches -- IU's Miller and Ohio State's Chris Holtmann -- opened recent post-game press conferences by honoring him. Purdue basketball coach Matt Painter called him an "outstanding person and a great writer."
"He's been a terrific person to us," Miller said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. He's meant a lot to Indiana basketball."
IU is honoring Hutch just as it did with another sports writer who passed, Ed Magoni. Hutch's seat on press row and in the media room will remain open all season.
"Hutch was my friend and colleague," Fischer said. "I think I speak for the rest of our crew in saying that our football broadcast booth won't be the same without him."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - They called him Hutch.
That was enough.
Mention the name and a smile would erupt, a story would follow.
Terry Hutchens had that effect on people.
In so many ways, despite the car accident that tragically took the veteran Indiana University sports writer's life at age 60, he still does.
"Hutch's passing has stunned and saddened all of our broadcast team," said Don Fischer, the long-time Voice of the Hoosiers. "He was our football statistician for almost 20 years and was exceptional in that role.
"But he was so much more than that. His trash-talking, dry wit and sarcastic humor made every Saturday special. He could dish it out, and he was also able to take the verbal hits that had everyone laughing, smiling and enjoying our time together."
Added IU head basketball coach Archie Miller in a tweet: "Saddened to hear the news of the passing of Terry Hutchens! Our deepest thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Susan, mother Dena, sister Kelly and two sons and Bryan and Kevin. RIP Terry, you were truly one of the best!"
Everybody, it seemed, knew Hutch -- sports fans, coaches, college administrators and so many more. He was a big guy with a big sense of humor and an even bigger heart.
Word of his accident hit like a fist to the gut to those who knew him, and who knew of him.
"All of us with the IU Athletics Family are deeply saddened by the passing of Terry Hutchens," IU Vice President and Director of Athletics Fred Glass said. "He was a great chronicler of IU Athletics history for over 20 years, but far more importantly, a devoted father, husband and a treasured friend to so many.
"I will dearly miss him and our deepest sympathies are with his wife, Susan, and sons Bryan and Kevin."
You were never a stranger long around Hutch. He was forever introducing himself, offering handshakes, opinions, help and, inevitably, jokes or wisecracks. He was always willing to share -- a ride, a word, a kind gesture, a good-natured ribbing.
But not scoops. Kindness had competitive journalism limits.
Hutch could be famously grumpy or warmly charming, sometimes within the same minute. He wasn't afraid of hard work or adjusting to life's curves.
More than ever these days, curves are part of journalism.
Hutch was as prolific a writer as the state has produced, from countless stories for newspapers such as the Indy Star and CHNI Sports Indiana to at least 11 sports-related books (10 pertaining to IU) and more. He spent years teaching sports writing at IU, and there are a lot of people in the profession who are better because of it.
Sometimes that teaching insight turned unconventional. As former Indiana student Jordan Littman tweeted recently, "As my professor, (he) told me to never wear pajama pants to class again. He played a huge role in getting my career started, and I always will be grateful to him for that."
As a sports writer, you sometimes have to ask tough questions, uncomfortable questions, questions that would tick off a coach or administrator or athlete.
Hutch would always ask -- sometimes with a touch of humor to lighten the mood.
"My heart goes out to the Hutchens family," IU football coach Tom Allen said. "Terry had such class and professionalism, and I was fortunate to get to know him over these past three seasons.
"We thank him for everything he gave to our program, our fans and our university. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time."
Hutch thrived in the long hours, late nights, tight deadlines, break-story pressures and the grueling drives -- often in brutal weather -- to and from games.
He was a dedicated reporter with a vast network of contacts he never hesitated to utilize for maximum impact.
He was highly regarded enough that at least two Big Ten basketball coaches -- IU's Miller and Ohio State's Chris Holtmann -- opened recent post-game press conferences by honoring him. Purdue basketball coach Matt Painter called him an "outstanding person and a great writer."
"He's been a terrific person to us," Miller said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. He's meant a lot to Indiana basketball."
IU is honoring Hutch just as it did with another sports writer who passed, Ed Magoni. Hutch's seat on press row and in the media room will remain open all season.
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) December 21, 2018
"Hutch was my friend and colleague," Fischer said. "I think I speak for the rest of our crew in saying that our football broadcast booth won't be the same without him."
FB: Aiden Fisher Media Availability (9/23/25)
Tuesday, September 23
FB: Pat Coogan Media Availability (9/23/25)
Tuesday, September 23
FB: Under the Hood with Indiana Football - Week 4 (Illinois)
Wednesday, September 17
FB: Kellan Wyatt Media Availability (9/16/25)
Tuesday, September 16