A Unique Perspective

As a wife, a parent, and a fan of Indiana University sports, who attended many tailgates in the grass lot football fields in Bloomington, I struggled with the atmosphere. When my boys were on campus and even when they weren’t, the wrecklessness that I saw created a concerning wrestling in my mind that competed against the greater value of academic and educational opportunities and lifelong connections.

My heart was torn between the desire to be with friends and family in a social gathering and the scene that occurs when college kids have the opportunity to explore their freedom (and some adults who may remain stuck in the behaviors of their young adult years🤣).

The adults were making their own poor decisions; that’s on them however my empathic heart was greatly burdened by the poor decisions that were being made and the consequences of those choices. 

I avoided walking by certain tailgate areas so that I didn’t take in the decadent behaviors and I prayed a lot! For the ones who were lost, for the ones who would become victims, for the ones who were experiencing situations that would interfere with their calling and their purpose, all the while knowing that they will still continue to be pursued by the One who loves them most. The conflicting thoughts in my mind were exhausting but for some crazy reason I feel those prayers and probably the prayers of many mothers and fathers just may be being answered, right before our very eyes!

Let’s explore…

In  2005 the Rock, A 3-ton limestone boulder from the original stadium construction was used as a touchstone for players during "The Walk". This tradition was dedicated by coach Terry Hoeppner.

In the Bible the rock is often used to symbolize unchanging nature and protection, stability, strength, refuge and salvation. It also refers to Jesus Christ. The walk is often looked at as the journey, the way.

Coach Hoep was at IU for only a brief time, when cancer claimed his life. Was his purpose for the program vital, with a legacy that continues to unfold?

Is it through him that the foundation of IU football shifted? 

Many good men have played football for IU over the years, I even know a few… could the Rock, a strong foundation have been the key to moving into the Promise land?

Let’s now look at this year’s team. No doubt that many current players and coaches and families of this unrecruited, overlooked, scrappy, unit, practice a personal faith openly.

The disciples were kind of a wayward bunch too.

The superpower of this team was through their relationships… 

Relationship with God, 

Relationship with themselves and relationships with each other… 

Coming together, with all of the differences for one common goal, united to do greater things.

Is it possible that there was no division among them? Probably not…however the division must have been set aside for the greater purpose, or I doubt the season could have ended up as it did… flippin, undefeated National Champs.

This is what I saw.

A team who honored God with prayers in the end zone and gratitude in their acknowledgments.

If this team truly made God the Powersource, why wouldn’t He send some resurrected influencers to help this team succeed? After all they are giving Him the credit!!! A humble joyous response that is evidence of setting ego aside and leaning on the One who is truly in control.

I don’t really know if God cares much about football but He does care about what we care about and if a group of humans is going to use the football field to honor God it does seem like it’s exactly something He would provide a few miracles for!

I saw a team on mission!

I saw a team that remained true to its goals!

I saw a team that needed leadership but it also needed followers who believed. The ones who don’t believe can work against the common goal.

I saw a team that made great sacrifices.

I saw a team set out to win, not a team that set out to beat others…

This was their own personal journey. They would either win it or they wouldn’t, but they took complete responsibility for the outcome!!!!

During the tournament run, I encountered very few haters, the people who hold onto rivalry or division were either silent or I was blinded…

The fan base was united, not in the competitive nature of we must beat our opponent but in the hopeful attitude of let’s win, let’s take care of business! There is a difference.

The tournament run contained an environment that displayed the fruit of the Spirit, joy, love, long suffering, patience, kindness, and faithfulness!

Older men were crying at the Rose bowl…

Families were scrambling to find ways to enjoy this journey together…

I felt as if it were a dream of which I did not want to be awaken!!!

On our trip to the Rose Bowl, I remember being at the airport with a flashback of Covid and praising God for a complete opposite situation. 

Coach Signetti is breaking down the book that will contain this successful run into chapters. Now begins chapter 3… he isn’t predicting another championship although you know that will be the goal…

Perhaps he understands that with each team and with each year different circumstances will arise.

His job will not be easy.

With each new group of players, he will need to figure out how to unify them as a team for the common good.

Injuries will occur, humanity will arise,

Hardships will come…

This is what I know for sure… if Indiana football continues to keep God on top, no matter what the record, the program will produce vibrant, fruitful humans, resulting in output that will be too great to measure.

I pray for these players and coaches… it’s possible that the highlight of their life is now in the rearview mirror. Memories that will never be forgotten but also will be very challenging to accomplish again.

Many will try hard to reach that high again, like an addiction, it’s a beast to work through. A 22 year old doesn’t want to believe its downhill from here, neither does a 64 year old coach! And they shouldn’t! They must press on and continue to strive for excellence. The next time however will probably not look or feel the same.

God’s promise is that if we remain with him as our lead… we will continue to do great things, they just may look different!

When coach said that he is excited for what these men will do in the future and that the future is in good hands, he wasn’t talking about just football, he was talking about character and what they will do in life with what they just experienced.

The answers sit on the inside! This remembrance will help them navigate what the future holds. Staying unified and standing firm in what this season taught them will be key to their success.

I can’t wait to watch! The future is filled with hope… no matter what!

And I’m happy to report that the tailgate scene is not what it used to be. The fans are in the game, cheering for their team, celebrating the victories and not drowning their sorrows! Still gathering with families and friends, but the purpose is bigger! Our team needs us! Hoosiernation has an important role to play! We don’t have time for wrecklessness anymore! We need to use our energy to help our team!

Thank you to Indiana Football and the many people who made this journey possible. What a ride!

HoohooHoosiers!

Stay Blessed, ya’all!