For generations, Indiana University has been known for its basketball legacy, limestone buildings and the question that stumps newcomers and natives alike: What exactly is a Hoosier? This week, though, the answer is simple – a Hoosier is a football fan with a reason to believe.
On Monday, the Indiana Hoosiers will take the field in Miami for the College Football National Championship, facing the University of Miami in their hometown.
For Indiana alumni and fans across Duke Energy, it’s a moment that once seemed as unlikely as a bison parachuting into Memorial Stadium. Yet here they are – undefeated, undaunted and playing for a national title.
We asked some of our Indiana employees how they were feeling about the Hoosiers’ historical run. Surreal, unifying and overdue were among the many responses. Here’s what a handful of our employees, in particular, had to say about their Hoosier pride.
Roger Flick, director of rate administration in Plainfield, is “happy beyond my wildest dreams.” He notes that his grandfather was buried with an IU jersey.
Chad Sherer, a line specialist based out of Carmel Operations Center and former IU football player, says, “Being one win away from a national title was unfathomable just a couple of years ago – it’s now a reality.”
Sandra Pritchard, Plainfield-based senior prototype manager, is excited for fans to have IU football to cheer about – and for the return of Hoosier the Bison.
Owensville-based Carrie Martin, an enterprise training program manager, and her husband, Glen Martin, a Power Grid Operations line working foreman out of Princeton Operations Center, have a son at IU. Glen called the moment “awesome for the university and the town.”
Jeff Duff, a lead engineer who works at Bloomington Operations Center, remembered leaving games “feeling like Charlie Brown as Lucy pulls the ball away,” now calling IU the “national poster boy” for a new dynamic in college football.
Duke Energy Indiana President Stan Pinegar earned two degrees from Indiana University. While an undergrad, he attended every home football game. "I saw lots of losses, but always had a great time. I attended the Iowa game this year and cooked on my Blackstone tailgating before the game. I have never had so many friends as I did that day!"
Andrew Woods, a line specialist who works in Sullivan, summed it up in a way that so many of us understand.
“There should be a ‘Hoosiers 2’ movie filmed to always remember this historic turnaround of our IU football program.”