Getty Image
The Indiana Hoosiers football program is not exactly steeped in history. In fact, Indiana’s football history is incredibly bleak if you really dive into it.
The Hoosiers have just three winning seasons this century and Indiana has never won 10 games in a season.
But first-year head coach Curt Cignetti is doing everything in his power to change that. The Hoosiers are 4-0 to start the season and are looking to go 5-0 for the first time since NINETEEN SIXTY-SEVEN.
In order to do so, Indiana will need to beat visiting Maryland, and Cignetti wants to make sure he has a raucous home crowd on his side. The Hoosiers coach sent an email to students this week asking them to drop everything, including studying, to attend Saturday’s game.
https://twitter.com/HenryThuss/status/1839683043662946670
“It’s been 57 years since IU Football started a season 5-0, but we have a chance to do it Saturday with a win over a very good Maryland team,” the email began. “We have every intention of making it happen, and I’m asking for your support.
“We need you there for the opening kick. We need you there in the stands being loud in the first quarter. And the second quarter. And in the third. And, most importantly, in the fourth.
“When the clock hits zero and we’re 5-0, I want you there to be able to celebrate a historic win with us.
“The tailgates can wait. The parties can wait. If you need to study, that can wait too.
“There are good things happening with IU Football, and you’re a big part of it.
“I look forward to seeing you for four quarters on Saturday.”
Cignetti is a winner. He won at the Division II level. He won in FCS, and he won with James Madison when the Dukes entered the FBS ranks.
So he clearly knows what he’s doing. But we can’t imagine Indiana University professors will be too happy about him telling students to prioritize football over classes.
But hey, if Indiana wants to be serious as a football school, that may just be what it takes.