Indiana University Athletics
Hoosier Roots: Mother’s Part-Time Job Ushers in Lifetime of Passion for IU Sports
12/10/2020 10:14:00 AM | General, Marketing & Promotions
Note: This is the first of our new IUHoosiers.com series, "Hoosier Roots," where we share interesting stories about Hoosier fans and why they love IU Athletics. We invite you to share your information here, and we may share your story as well!
Bloomington, Indiana – Joe Bookwalter knows he has one part-time gig to thank for his 45-year love of IU sports.
Now a social worker in the Veteran's Administration office in North Little Rock, Ark., Joe grew up in Bloomington, along with his mom, Betty, and his older brother, George. Betty spent her days like many other locals did during the 1970s and 1980s, working as a supervisor at RCA and then Thomson Electronics on South Rogers Street on the city's south side.
Betty spent 28 years at Bloomington's largest manufacturer, helping build and maintain the city's reputation as the "Color Television Capital of the World." But as meaningful as her day job was, it was her evening responsibilities on the IU campus that she cherished most.
Throughout Joe's childhood, Betty worked as an usher at Assembly Hall for the Hoosiers' men's basketball games.
"She loved it," said Joe. "She took a lot of pride in it, and never wanted to miss a game. She'd rather have been doing that than anything else."
Her role at IU's games not only developed her love for IU and Bob Knight that remains intact to this day, but it also created a passion in her kids, most notably Joe, as well. Raising her sons largely as a single mother, as soon as they were old enough to accompany her to IU's games, they did so.
Joe's first trip to an IU Basketball game came in 1975, and everything changed from that moment forward.
"I can still remember being there for the first time, knowing now how it felt to be in Assembly Hall, having it vibrate from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave," Joe said. "Every game from that moment on, I was hooked."
Joe continued to attend IU games for the better part of a decade. In the early days, he and his brother would often be without designated seats and they'd work their way as close to the floor as possible. As he got older, he began working in in the concession stands, bouncing back and forth between his seat and serving popcorn at intermission. He then spent two years as an IU student in the early 1980s and cheered them on as an IU undergrad.
His prized possessions growing up were a set of game programs from the 1975-77 seasons, all of which were signed by each member of the IU Basketball team as well as Coach Knight. Unfortunately, those items were lost years ago in a fire.
"I've always regretted losing those and would give anything to have them back," Joe said.
Joe eventually departed Bloomington and settled in Arkansas, where he earned both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in social work and has been a resident for more than 25 years. Despite the long-time absence from Bloomington and his former proximity to IU sports, his affinity for the Hoosiers hasn't diminished.
"If anything, my love for IU sports has just grown stronger," said Joe, noting that he was presently drinking from an IU coffee mug. "I have friends from back there I talk to one or two times a week. My high school friends, we still talk and are close. Bloomington has always had a special place in my heart. I love Bloomington. It just doesn't pay social workers very well."
The love of IU sports hasn't lessened for his mother, either. Now 88 years old and still living in Bloomington, Betty talks with her son before and after just about every IU men's basketball game. He expects them to talk tonight as IU gets ready to take on Florida State as part of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.
"We're pretty much on speed dial with each other on game days," Joe said. "She can break the game down pretty good. She's pretty sharp when it comes to IU."
Joe treasures those phone calls, and appreciates how IU sports has been a common bond and shared love and experience for mother and son.
"I'll always cherish this part of our lives, the connection that we have because of IU sports," Joe said.
Bloomington, Indiana – Joe Bookwalter knows he has one part-time gig to thank for his 45-year love of IU sports.Now a social worker in the Veteran's Administration office in North Little Rock, Ark., Joe grew up in Bloomington, along with his mom, Betty, and his older brother, George. Betty spent her days like many other locals did during the 1970s and 1980s, working as a supervisor at RCA and then Thomson Electronics on South Rogers Street on the city's south side.
Betty spent 28 years at Bloomington's largest manufacturer, helping build and maintain the city's reputation as the "Color Television Capital of the World." But as meaningful as her day job was, it was her evening responsibilities on the IU campus that she cherished most.
Throughout Joe's childhood, Betty worked as an usher at Assembly Hall for the Hoosiers' men's basketball games.
"She loved it," said Joe. "She took a lot of pride in it, and never wanted to miss a game. She'd rather have been doing that than anything else."
Her role at IU's games not only developed her love for IU and Bob Knight that remains intact to this day, but it also created a passion in her kids, most notably Joe, as well. Raising her sons largely as a single mother, as soon as they were old enough to accompany her to IU's games, they did so.
Joe's first trip to an IU Basketball game came in 1975, and everything changed from that moment forward.
"I can still remember being there for the first time, knowing now how it felt to be in Assembly Hall, having it vibrate from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave," Joe said. "Every game from that moment on, I was hooked."
Joe continued to attend IU games for the better part of a decade. In the early days, he and his brother would often be without designated seats and they'd work their way as close to the floor as possible. As he got older, he began working in in the concession stands, bouncing back and forth between his seat and serving popcorn at intermission. He then spent two years as an IU student in the early 1980s and cheered them on as an IU undergrad.
His prized possessions growing up were a set of game programs from the 1975-77 seasons, all of which were signed by each member of the IU Basketball team as well as Coach Knight. Unfortunately, those items were lost years ago in a fire.
"I've always regretted losing those and would give anything to have them back," Joe said.
Joe eventually departed Bloomington and settled in Arkansas, where he earned both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in social work and has been a resident for more than 25 years. Despite the long-time absence from Bloomington and his former proximity to IU sports, his affinity for the Hoosiers hasn't diminished.
"If anything, my love for IU sports has just grown stronger," said Joe, noting that he was presently drinking from an IU coffee mug. "I have friends from back there I talk to one or two times a week. My high school friends, we still talk and are close. Bloomington has always had a special place in my heart. I love Bloomington. It just doesn't pay social workers very well."
The love of IU sports hasn't lessened for his mother, either. Now 88 years old and still living in Bloomington, Betty talks with her son before and after just about every IU men's basketball game. He expects them to talk tonight as IU gets ready to take on Florida State as part of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.
"We're pretty much on speed dial with each other on game days," Joe said. "She can break the game down pretty good. She's pretty sharp when it comes to IU."
Joe treasures those phone calls, and appreciates how IU sports has been a common bond and shared love and experience for mother and son.
"I'll always cherish this part of our lives, the connection that we have because of IU sports," Joe said.
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