What’s wrong with athletics in the state of Indiana?
I’m still fuming about the events in Indiana collegiate athletics that have transpired over the past 24-48 hours. Dwelling on these gets me to riled up, so I’m only going to hit each issue very briefly.
IU loses to North Carolina in a game they could have – quite possibly should have – won. They made a strong showing, in spite of poor shooting and free throw percentages. I’d rather have seen them won than have just a “strong showing,” though. Robert Vaden’s late-game heroics; 3 3-pointers in less than a minute, made me think of Todd Leary’s performance in the ’92 Final Four loss to Duke. It was, however, a false hope.
IU’s potential mediocrity on the basketball seems to be the least of the administration’s worries. Once again, they are searching for a new football coach, after firing Gerry DiNardo. They said they wanted to restore the winning tradition of IU football. Let’s look at that “winning tradition” for a moment, shall we? In their 100 year history as a program, the Hoosiers have been to a grand total of 8 bowl games. They even have a losing record in those games, with a 3-5 record. It doesn’t look like they will be improving upon that record any time soon. While the Hoosiers did end the season with a terrible record (3-8), and a humiliating loss to Purdue, there were some very bright spots, including upsetting two teams that were then ranked in the top 25 – Oregon and Minnesota. It really appeared that DiNardo just needed more time to turn the program around. It takes a whole lot of energy to reverse the downward momentum of a program that has had such a track record for losing for so long. Now, they have to start all over again. And in three years, they’ll be firing someone else because someone at the top has this idea that the Hoosiers were once a national powerhouse in football (with only one Rose Bowl appearance – a loss) and the program won’t turn around quick enough. What this program needs is consistency, not a revolving door of coaches.
Maybe they hope to hire Ty Willingham, whose dismissal pours salt into the already gaping wound of Indiana intercollegiate programs this week.
Then, of course, there’s the Purple Aces, who had to kick three players off the team for theft. I believe Coach Merfield made the right decision. After all, they admitted to the crime. I wonder how the decision to do something like that came about…
“Hey, man! I’m bored. Everyone is gone for Thanksgiving.”
“Yeah, me too. Wanna have some fun?”
“Sure. What’s your idea?”
“Let’s go break into someone’s stuff and steal a laptop!”
“Dude, sounds like fun. I don’t care if I get kicked off the basketball team and ruin my opportunity at an education worth much more than a computer. I really want to have some fun. Let’s do it!”
“Let’s go.”
Real smart, guys.
The Aces still won without them, and are off to their best start in five years.
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