Indiana Daily Student - Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024

IDS

‘Neverending’

Sexual abuse persists in the IU Jacobs School of Music

By Marissa Meador marnmead@iu.edu | @marissa_meador

Editor’s note: This story mentions multiple depictions of sexual abuse and assault.

Several women who spoke to the IDS wrestled with whether to use their full names in this story throughout the reporting process. Ultimately, four women who shared their experience with sexual violence and the adjudication process requested full or partial anonymity. Two of them chose to be identified by their first names while one, Daisy, chose to be identified by a nickname. Their reasons for requesting anonymity were complex, ranging from fear of retaliation from the men they accused of sexual violence, people in positions of power and a belief that speaking out about their experience may impact their career in music.

The IU Jacobs School of Music faced a reckoning in 2022 when students organized protests to demand a better response to sexual violence within Jacobs. Two years later, a culture of sexual abuse persists without much effective action from the Jacobs School, sources told the Indiana Daily Student. The IDS reported this story for eight months, interviewing six women who directly experienced sexism, harassment or assault from individuals within the Jacobs School of Music.

Jacobs Dean Abra Bush pushed back on the characterization of the school in an interview with the IDS but emphasized her commitment to helping students feel safe, pointing toward a new sexual misconduct task force she organized over the summer.

But despite efforts from Jacobs, several women described the issue of sexual abuse in the Jacobs School as “neverending.”

Freshly graduated from her master’s degree at Jacobs, Leah Warman wonders if her experience in the jazz studies department would have been different if she was a man.

IU’s jazz studies department, in line with most jazz spaces across the country, is overwhelmingly male. Warman, a tuba performance and jazz studies master’s student who said she was one of a handful of women in the jazz studies department before she graduated in 2024, described her experience as isolating and tokenizing.

When news broke about Demondrae Thurman, a euphonium professor who was serving as the Jacobs associate dean and brass department chair until allegations of sexual misconduct led to his April departure, it only intensified Warman’s feelings of alienation. Thurman had been a close mentor and was involved in bringing Warman to the Jacobs School of Music after she received her bachelor’s from the University of Alabama.

The allegations against Thurman came from former University of British Columbia music student

Claire Pollock in a Facebook post in April 2024. In it, she alleged Thurman had pressured her into sex six years earlier, when Pollock was 18 and a senior in high school.

She told the IDS in April that she met Thurman when her band flew him into Alberta, Canada in 2018. She claimed Thurman, married and in his 40s, had touched her thigh, made inappropriate comments, performed oral sex on her in a hotel room and asked her to do the same for him. At the time, IU had already hired Thurman, who would begin teaching later that year.

IU moved swiftly after Pollock shared her story. Jacobs Dean Abra Bush called a town hall the following day and announced Thurman was no longer serving in his previous roles as of noon April 29. The IU Euphonium Studio wrote on Facebook it refused to accept a future where he returned to the school.

Pollock quit music as a result of the experience. Years later, she confronted Thurman in a Facebook message. He acknowledged the incident, but denied her claims that there was an imbalance of power.

“I felt it was equal footing that we ended up there,” he wrote.

Pollock blames a culture of hierarchy endemic to the music industry. In small music circles where relationships are everything, Pollock said those who are aware of serial abusers fear speaking out would harm their ability to advance their careers. It’s an element of the industry that was echoed by both established and student musicians the IDS spoke with. Pollock said it’s an attitude that must change to buck this “sinister trend” in music.

Though sexual assault, harassment and sexism have been reported in music schools and industries across the country, sources described the jazz studies department as a particular hotspot for misconduct.

Some former Jacobs students, including alumna Abby Malala, described the jazz studies department as the “frat house” of Jacobs. Jazz piano student Abhik Mazumder said he finds it

hard to study jazz due to the frequency of sexual assault allegations and actionless lip-service to social equality.

“Now I can’t even detach the music I play from that kind of moral behavior,” Mazumder said.

The issue may be a byproduct of the culture itself, which can play a role in facilitating sexual violence, Zoë Peterson of the Kinsey Institute said. Peterson, who researches sexual violence at the institute, said men are more likely to perpetrate sexual violence if they are part of a peer group where men are supporting violence against women, particularly in male-dominated groups. These spaces can be rife with sexism and “sexual assault-supportive attitudes,” which include victim-blaming or dismissing sexual assault allegations.

“Every single person who heard even a whisper of it is guilty.”

Abby Malala Jacobs alumna

To Malala, even when people are not intentional enablers, they can struggle to come to terms with the fact that they live among people who commit sexual violence – especially when it involves someone talented and successful.

“Even if they’re not guilty of those things, I think they are invested in protecting each other because when the time comes, or if the time comes that they abuse their power, they want to know that they have put themselves in an environment where they will be supported in their abuse,” she said.

It takes a village to abuse someone, Malala said.

“Every single person who heard even a whisper of it is guilty,” she said. ***

Daisy had expected to feel relieved once IU’s months-long investigation into the student she reported for sexual assault concluded. But when IU expelled the student, a jazz studies major, when the assault occurred in February

2023, the former IU student found herself still afraid.

Included in Daisy’s Title IX case was a recording she took of a January 2024 phone call with the perpetrator, Solomon Keim, in which he does not deny sexually assaulting her and admits to raping multiple people.

“Yes, I have raped a lot of people,” Keim said in the recording, which was obtained by the IDS. “And broken a lot of people.”

Keim did not respond to a list of allegations sent to him by the IDS over email and text.

Keim’s case is not the only Title IX investigation into a Jacobs student since the IDS published its first investigation on Jacobs in January 2022.

In February 2022, a female Jacobs student, who requested total anonymity for fear of retaliation, reported a sexual assault by another Jacobs student. IU found him responsible for both sexual assault and harassment, and issued him a two-year suspension after a nearly 11-month investigation. While she waited for a hearing, she was forced to remain in the same classes and ensembles as her abuser, she said.

When IU suspended the perpetrator in January 2023, it did not inform any faculty members, she said, giving her abuser the opportunity to “write his own story” of the reason behind his departure. She said he told one professor he was dropping out of school for mental health reasons.

“Which to me felt like a slap in the face,” she said.

As she waited for the investigation to conclude, she felt unsafe each day she had to be around her abuser. The prolonged contact interrupted the healing process, she said.

“There are two worlds in Jacobs: one that is actively witnessing and experiencing violence and misogyny in their educational environment and one that is willfully unaware of its existence around them,” the student wrote in a text to the IDS. “Educating the unaware becomes another heavy burden to carry for survivors – one that is both re-traumatizing and often fails to enact lasting change.”

Some women who report

their assaults are told there is not enough evidence to discipline the alleged perpetrator. The impact of going through a sometimes year-long investigation process only to receive a negative outcome can be devastating, two women told the IDS.

To university Title IX Coordinator Jennifer Kincaid, one sexual misconduct case is too many.

“That’s the goal, right, is just to have every student come here and not be impacted by sexual violence,” she said. “Unfortunately, a societal problem doesn’t stop at our doorstep or end when people leave here, and we just try to do our best work to help students, both with prevention and if they experience sexual misconduct.”

While the process is critiqued both by victims and alleged perpetrators, gaps may be systemic rather than intentional, according to Title IX experts.

Justin Brown, the director of civil rights and Title IX at Denison University in Ohio, said it’s easy for administrators to talk about wanting to stop sexual violence, but that universities are not financially incentivized to work on prevention efforts.

“Those platitudes are very easy, but for the people actually doing the work, they’re mostly meaningless unless backed up with support and resources,” he said.

People who work on sexual violence prevention and response efforts are underpaid, with overall efforts being understaffed and underfunded, Brown said. Ideally, sexual violence prevention programming would go beyond orientation, with touchpoints through sophomore, junior and senior year. But additional pressures on educational institutions, like opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives or keeping up with college rankings and donors, can impede the effort for substantive change, Brown said.

Though universities face major trouble if they fail to satisfy Title IX requirements, there are no consequences for universities who don’t provide prevention efforts to begin with.

SEE JACOBS, PAGE 3

of these routine, pervasive, repeated sexual assaults, IU systemically mishandled and turned a blind eye to Hoosier men’s basketball players’ complaints of Dr. Bomba, Sr.’s sexual misconduct, contrary to federal regulations,” the lawsuit reads.

SEE LAWSUIT, PAGE 4

IU professor guilty of child pornography possession

By Brenna Polovina bpolovin@iu.edu

Editor’s Note: This story includes mention of potentially triggering situations, such as child pornography.

IU professor emeritus Richard Wilk filed a guilty plea to possession of child pornography, a level 5 felony, Sept. 10. He was sentenced to two years of home detention, which began Oct. 3, and one year of suspended jail time. According to the probable cause affidavit, Wilk was arrested Jan. 9 after police found a “large quantity” of child pornography saved to his IUaffiliated Dropbox account. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children notified police Dec. 13, 2023, after Dropbox flagged the illegal content Dec. 10, 2023. Wilk was released on bond Jan. 10. One Bloomington Police detective reportedly took Wilk out to his car to talk while others searched his home, where Wilk admitted to viewing child pornography. Wilk told the detective he was curious and had an addiction problem. The affidavit said Wilk advised the detective he should pursue the child pornography producers. The conditions of Wilk’s home detention are attending counseling and court-ordered classes and abiding by a courtimposed curfew. He’ll be on probation and permit visits from a probation officer.

SEE PROFESSOR, PAGE 4

SOURCE: ETHAN CHOO | EHCHOO@IU.EDU GRAPHICS BY: ALAYNA WILKENING

Behind the counter of IU Dining

By Chloe Oden chloden@iu.edu | @chloeoden0

Every day, thousands of students flood IU’s dining halls to fuel up for another day of learning. Indiana University has six “all-youcare-to-eat” dining locations, and three main chefs design the menus and handle day-to-day operations.

Many students may never consider how their meals get in front of them, and the process is no simple undertaking.

Sourcing IU Dining’s food

According to IU’s Executive Chef, David Tallent, there are three main vendors for the dining hall food, and one source with close ties to campus.

The produce for the dining halls comes from Piazza Produce, which is based in Indianapolis. General wares and dry goods come from Gordon Food Service, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. IU Dining also has strong ties with Fischer Farms in Jasper, Indiana. Fischer Farms supplies the majority of the beef and pork utilized in recipes.

Although it once was able to contribute more to the dining halls, IU Campus Farm is still recovering from the impacts of COVID-19, but has been providing vegetables to Forest Dining Hall this semester. According to Jennifer Piurek, executive director for the Campus Auxiliary Experience, when the semester began, IU Campus Farm sold IU Dining heirloom tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, zucchini,

okra, bell peppers, green beans and green onion.

Chef de Cuisine Jack Henniger, chef for the Southeast Neighborhood, used these vegetables and created a vegetable stir fry, BLTs, fresh tomato salsa, slow roasted tomato sauce and pizza toppings.

How does IU Dining create its menus?

Henniger and the other two chefs de cuisine, Zak Kell for the Central Neighborhood and Darren Worth for the Northwest Neighborhood, create their menus for the dining hall locations alongside Tallent and dietitians.

“They choose the recipes that they want to use,” Tallent said. “If they want to create new recipes, they have full reign to do that.”

According to Piurek, food allergy safety is a major priority at IU. Using Nutrislice, students can filter out their allergies, diets and other restrictions to find what meals at McNutt Dining Hall, Collins Eatery, Goodbody Eatery and Forest Dining Hall are safe for them.

“Every time that a recipe is created, there’s a whole huge back end process with our dietitians, and they have this team of six or seven interns, and they spend hours entering all this nutrition information, because food allergy safety is really important to us at IU and we have been recognized for taking that seriously,” Piurek said.

At some dining concepts, like Heartland, Tallent said, they try to limit any of the top nine allergens that they

can. Heartland serves comfort foods of the Midwest and can be found at Forest Dining Hall and McNutt Dining Hall. According to Tallent, they especially try to limit sesame, tree nuts and soy in their recipes.

Each semester, both head chefs and sous chefs at the dining locations are given the opportunity to host pop-up dining experiences.

“Last night at Forest, Chef Rockett, he did something that reminded him of having dinner with his grandma,” Tallent said. “He did brisket, baked potatoes, beer cheese and he’s from southern Indiana, so really kind of homestyle. It was his chance to be the chef.”

According to Tallent, the themed meals are an opportunity for the chefs who feed students all day, every day to be able to cook “their” food.

According to the Inclusive Dining Newsletter from IU Dining, the area manager for residential dining, Ashley Massie, created the sous chef pop-up series to change up what students usually get to eat and give sous chefs the chance to showcase their talent and love for cooking.

Each of these chefs has full control of their chosen theme and menu. In January, sous chef Salamon Mathews created a Hawaiian meal inspired by his heritage. This meal included “kalua pork, huli huli chicken, macaroni salad, sticky rice and sweet and sour vegetables,” according to the newsletter.

Not only are sous chefs

given their chance to add their own personal flair to IU Dining, but the Student Meal Plan Committee, with representatives from each residence hall, the IU Student Government and Union Board, meet with campus dining leadership bi-weekly to discuss how to better cater to the students on campus who frequent any of IU’s Dining locations.

One example of their input, according to Tallent, was the desire for plantbased milks.

“We have more vegan and vegetarian than ever,” Tallent said. “I think a lot of that comes from those students and their voices and their input.”

Future plans and initiatives

In the future, IU’s campus dining has goals to further its sustainability initiatives and expand its ReusePass program. Already at Collins Eatery and Read

Dining Hall, IU has begun to implement ReusePass reusable to-go containers that are returned within three days of checking out using a QR code. The goal is to limit single use to-go containers, limit waste, save water and avoid greenhouse gas emissions.

In the future, Tallent would like to expand on the ReusePass program and implement more local vendors.

“We are certainly going to continue to push sustainability areas that we’ve been working with and trying to work with our vendors to get them to think more locally,” Tallent said. “Not all produce has to come from California or Mexico, but maybe think a little closer to home and make our carbon footprint a little bit less and support more farmers.”

Along with this, IU Dining and Hospitality and IU Sustainability applied for a $75,220 grant from the In-

diana Department of Environmental Management’s Community Recycling Grant Program for a food waste dehydrator.

According to Tallent, this dehydrator is meant to limit wasting food after it’s been put on students’ plates. The food that students don’t eat usually ends up in trash bags, Tallent said. “This food dehydrator should hopefully help us shrink that and maybe make it manageable,” he said. After dehydration, the food would become compost, reducing food waste volume by 90%, according to Piurek. Tallent said he is also working with Fischer Farms to create a blended burger recipe with beef and mushrooms. The proportions would be about 80% beef and 20% mushroom and “would lighten up on the protein and make it just a little more healthy and a little more sustainable.”

The implications of the election on abortion in Indiana

By Adelyn Rabbitt adrabb@iu.edu

With the 2024 presidential election around the corner, presidential candidates Donald Trump’s and Kamala Harris’ proposed abortion policies have separate implications for the future of abortion in the United States. No matter who wins, reproductive healthcare experts, providers and advocates say it is possible that abortion access in Indiana may stay restricted, including the current abortion ban in the state.

Presidential candidates on abortion Trump, the Republican candidate, has been inconsistent and not made a definitive statement on his future abortion policies. However, Trump most recently proposed that abortion policy should be chosen individually in each state.

Trump said he would veto a federal abortion ban but would allow states to choose any restrictions for their citizens. He has also called himself the most “pro-life president” in U.S. history. Trump also suggested he would attempt to restrict access to the abortion pill mifepristone during his presidency.

Harris, the Democratic candidate, has alternatively based much of her candidacy around protecting abortion access. She said she would codify Roe v. Wade if elected, which would restore federal protection for abortion. Harris does not support states being able to individually ban abortion. She also supports access to mifepristone.

If Trump were to be elected, the abortion rights landscape of the U.S. would likely be similar to how it is today. Since the end of Roe v. Wade, states have been able to make abortion legislation decisions on their own. Forty states have developed their own abortion bans or restrictions, while 10 states have kept abortion fully legal with no gestational limit.

Ten states have no abortion restrictions, 20 states allow abortion until fetal viability, eight states have more restrictive gestational limits and 13 states have banned all abortion.

Under Harris’ proposed abortion policy and reinstallation of Roe v. Wade, all states would be prevented

from individually banning abortion, and abortion rights would be universal for all people in the nation. However, it could be difficult for Harris, if elected, to make abortion legal nationally. Though Harris can advocate for abortion rights and reinstalling Roe v. Wade, Congress would ultimately decide the legislation. With the Republican majority in the U.S. House, it is unlikely that federal abortion protection will be passed by Congress.

The current filibuster in the Senate is also a roadblock for either future president when attempting to implement their political agendas. Harris has expressed her support for eliminating the filibuster, specifically for Roe v. Wade. To do this, a new Senate precedent would need to be set or the text of Senate Rule 22 would need to be changed. Both are somewhat complicated processes.

Besides overruling the filibuster, Harris could give executive orders to protect certain aspects of abortion care, though these orders can be challenged and terminated in court.

“The state of Indiana has shown repeatedly, year after year, that it is not a safe place for pregnant people to live.”

Forest Beeley Indiana programs director for All-Options

What kind of abortion access is available in Indiana now?

Indiana currently has a near-total abortion ban that prohibits all abortions with the slim exceptions of saving the mother’s life, avoiding serious health risks in the mother, fetal anomalies or in the cases of rape or incest. Abortions permitted in the cases of rape or incest are restricted to procedures done no later than 10 weeks after fertilization. Because of the abortion ban in Indiana, women have been forced to take alternative routes to receive abortion care. Indiana’s abortion ban, along with all other U.S. states that have abortion bans, does not bar residents from traveling across

state lines to get an abortion. Indiana borders Illinois, which allows abortion until fetal viability, Michigan, which has no abortion ban or restriction, and Ohio, which allows abortion up to 21 weeks and 6 days.

“So, in some ways we are ‘lucky’ in the fact that we are a state where abortion is banned, but we have states all around us that are very accessible,” Forest Beeley, Indiana programs director for All-Options, said. “For folks, it’s still so frustrating to have to travel two hours each way for your abortion, but people in parts of Indiana were doing that before the ban went into effect.”

All-Options is a national organization that helps people access pregnancy, parenting, abortion, fertility and adoption resources.

All-Options’ only physical resource center is in Bloomington on Walnut Street. At the resource center, diapers and parenting supplies are provided. AllOptions also runs Indiana’s only abortion fund, which allows them to give hundreds of thousands of dollars per year to Indiana residents who need abortion care.

“We fund around 60 to 80 abortions per month,” Beeley said.

Another resource for people seeking abortions in Indiana is Planned Parenthood. There are Planned Parenthood centers in Michigan, Ohio and Illinois that are open to serving residents of Indiana. Specifically, Planned Parenthood Flossmoor Health Center in Illinois is available for Indiana residents.

“Our center in Flossmoor was actually built to be able to serve those Indiana residents,” Jocelynn Gil, assistant health center manager for Flossmoor Planned Parenthood, said. “We are 15 to 20 minutes from the Indiana border, so we have always seen a high volume of patients from Indiana.”

Flossmoor has seen a 40% increase in abortion care patients since Roe v. Wade was overturned. The percentage of people coming to Flossmoor from out of state for an abortion rose from about 2-3% to about 25% after federal protection of abortion rights ended in 2022, according to Gil.

Traveling for an abortion, though legal, can be difficult.

“Folks still have to find a provider, find a way to take care of their kids, find a way to get there if they don’t have a car, figure out how to pay for gas, how to take time off work,” Beeley said. “All of these barriers still exist.”

Planned Parenthood provides help for traveling patients.

Their team of abortion navigators are available to help assist patients, especially out of state patients who require extra resources. Gil said these abortion navigators can help people seeking abortions with costs of lodging, travel, food, gas and the procedure itself.

Indiana “trap laws”

Even if federal protection of abortion rights was restored nationwide, there may still be laws that make abortion less accessible in the state.

“The state of Indiana has shown repeatedly, year after year, that it is not a safe place for pregnant people to live,” Beeley said. Trap laws, such as the 18-hour waiting period, clinic requirements and ultrasound requirements, are laws created by states that make it difficult for doctors to provide proper abortion care.

“It doesn’t matter who wins the election, that’s not going to change,” Beeley said.

Impacts of abortion bans and restrictions

The U.S. has the highest number of deaths from pregnancy or childbirth complications out of all developed nations. Of these deaths, four out of five

could be prevented by making abortion legal and accessible, according to CNN Health.

Banning abortion can also have an economic impact on people’s lives, especially minorities. Additionally, women’s lives are put at risk when abortion bans or restrictions are enforced.

Lucrecia Mena-Meléndez said abortion bans and restrictions unfairly disadvantage low-income communities. Individuals who cannot economically access abortion or reproductive healthcare may attempt abortions using unsafe methods, which increases the risk of complications or death, as well as long term health issues.

Banning abortion does not completely stop people from getting abortions.

“Bans and restrictions don’t lessen the need for abortion care,” Mary Jane Maharry, director of communications and marketing at Planned Parenthood

Illinois, said. “It just causes people to have to overcome more barriers to try and access the care that they need and deserve.”

Statistics show that even before the Dobbs decision, about 68,000 women died from unsafe abortions or abortion attempts each year. Unsafe abortions cause about 13% of maternal deaths. The number of maternal and newborn deaths is higher in states with abortion bans or restrictions than in states with accessible abortion. In Indiana, the rate of infant mortality rose from 6.7 in 2021 to 7.2 in 2022, when Roe v. Wade was overturned. “There’s so many layers to what may or may not happen based on the national stage,” Beeley said. “And I think that’s why it’s so important also to make sure that folks are voting for their state and local officials because votes can really make an impact.”

GISELLE MARSTELLER | IDS

A student grabs lunch inside Forest Dining Hall on Oct. 9, 2024, in Bloomington. This year, the dining hall offers 10 micro

‘Changing the culture of IU’ — with chicken

By Jack Forrest jhforres@iu.edu | @byjackforrest

IU senior Mark Lowney set out with an incredible goal: eat 25 chicken fingers in front of a crowd of around 80 people.

He failed.

But, in another sense, he succeeded.

Flyers went up Oct. 8 across campus, from a lecture hall in the Radio-Television Building to a statue of Ernie Pyle. They advertised the event plainly, reading: “Watch one man attempt to eat 25 chicken fingers this Friday 4 p.m. Fine Arts Plaza.”

One line in particular from the poultry-promoting poster drew the attention of some.

“We’re changing the culture of IU,” the line read.

It’s a line that presents an obvious question.

“I wanted to see how they were going to change the culture,” freshman Savannah Dorr said about why she attended the event.

It’s a question that was, at least initially, a “throwaway line.”

“Truthfully, ‘what does it mean?’ is a great question,” sophomore John Carter Krell, who pitched the idea to Lowney, said. “Because I don’t even think we know.”

“It’s stupid, but it’s smart”

Lowney and Krell are host and producer, respectively, of IU Student Television’s “Not Too Late” entertainment show. Lowney said the show, now in its 14th season, is typically filmed on a set in the Media School’s Franklin Hall. This season, he wanted to do more segments outside the studio.

This push for boundarybreaking sketches coincides with a fresh room of writers and producers, Krell said. After many producers of “Not Too Late” graduated in the spring, the show was left in the hands of a younger staff — at least four freshman or sophomore writers have joined this year, Krell said.

“Really, this year is when we’re kind of taking the reins of the show and determining what we want to see for episodes and then determining what’s logistical and what’s not,” Krell said.

Over the years, Krell said, the show has evolved with the humor of the time. Before, it appeared much more like a traditional late-night show, once featuring actor Jesse Eisenberg as a guest in an interview reminiscent of those on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Now, it’s far less structured and more sketchbased. In one episode from last season, Krell plays Air Bud, the dog from the film series of the same name, as he considers committing to the IU basketball program. In another from this season, Lowney hosts a debate between IUSTV co-entertainment director Logan Vaught and a fictional conspiracy

Brown said it’s not an intentional choice – many administrators think the work is being done and just aren’t devoting the time to take stock of their gaps.

While the IU Office for Sexual Violence Prevention and Victim Advocacy offers an array of opportunities to become educated on issues of sexual violence prevention and consent, few programs are mandatory. Besides a training module on sexual violence, drugs and alcohol required for first-year and transfer students, one of the only other ways all students are educated about sexual violence is the It’s On Us Bystander Intervention Program for new students living in residence halls. Students have always been expected to participate but IU only made the program mandatory in 2023, the office’s director Sally Thomas said. In an effort to understand

theorist named “Cranberry Willy.”

“I guess in that way, we are sort of changing the culture of IU, for one IU Student Television show, but it’s got to start somewhere,” Krell said.

Krell and Lowney said they take inspiration from shows like “Saturday Night Live” and comedians including Nathan Fielder, Tim Robinson and Conan O’Brien — all of whom employ awkward, absurd brands of humor.

This style is characteristic of Gen-Z humor, which Lowney said is silly in a clever way. He said growing up with cartoons like “SpongeBob SquarePants” influenced his and others’ senses of humor.

“It’s stupid, but it’s smart,” Lowney said. “It’s very contradictory; I don’t know how to describe it.”

It’s in that context that Krell pitched the chicken eating challenge to Lowney as a segment on the show, 10 days before it’d take place. The idea was specifically inspired by the “Cheeseball Man,” who, much like “Not Too Late,” advertised his attempt to eat an entire container of cheeseballs in April in New York City. Over 1,100 people RSVP’d to watch, according to USA Today.

Lowney was down — though he requested they change it from the restaurant Krell originally pitched, Kentucky Fried Chicken, to Raising Cane’s.

So, the rules were set: Lowney would attempt to eat the 25 Cane’s fingers, along with eight signature sauce cups. He decided not to dunk the food in water, as some professional eaters do to make swallowing easier, but he would have two bottles of water to aid his effort.

What Lowney was attempting would total 4,770 calories in one sitting — 3,250 for the 25 fingers and 1,520 for the sauce cups,

the work being done within the jazz studies department, the IDS reached out to all jazz faculty members May 1, asking for an interview to discuss what has been done to prevent sexual assault and improve the environment for women. Only Tom Walsh, the department’s chair, agreed to comment, providing a statement four months after the IDS initially reached out. On Sep. 17, Walsh said he would be happy to speak to the IDS over the phone as long as it was off-the-record. When the IDS agreed to the call, Walsh suddenly changed course and refused. In the statement, Walsh wrote that he invited Sally Thomas to give a mandatory presentation on consent to jazz studies majors in the fall of 2022 and 2023. The jazz studies department also hired Natalie Boeyink, the department’s only female tenure-track professor, in 2023. Other changes Walsh highlighted included more female guest artists, offering playing opportunities and scholarships to women in the department and an increased “presence of women in the photographs displayed in (the) combo room.”

“While we can’t force anyone to behave in a certain way outside of our classrooms, we can convey values that we believe will ben-

according to nutritional information from the Raising Cane’s website.

Further, Lowney would not aim to eat the chicken in a specific time limit, à la the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. He was going for spectacle.

Lowney said he had one prior experience with an eating challenge; he and some of his friends from his hometown did a “drive-thru challenge,” which was for fun and not for “Not Too Late.” At 10 fast food restaurants, they asked for the same order as the customers ahead of them and had to eat the entire order.

“It’s like a normal amount of food 10 times, and you get some breaks because you have to drive from restaurant to restaurant,” Lowney said. “This is like 25, all at once. I think this will be harder, but I’m ready to take it on."

Lowney and Krell hoped their chicken stunt would draw eyes to “Not Too Late.” They were quickly proven successful.

A viral post on X, resharing the posters has over 700,000 views as of publication, and Pizza X, the Bloomington restaurant staple, followed Lowney on X, Krell said. This wave of publicity led Krell to hope for a higher turnout than they had initially expected, saying the event could be one of the biggest the show has ever done.

Regardless of the turnout, Lowney felt confident in his ability to achieve glory heading into the event.

“I hope I crush it, and I hope I save the town, and I get the girl, and I defeat the bad guy,” Lowney joked two days before the event. “I think all that can happen on Friday.”

“This Is Indiana”

Although Lowney has no aspirations of becoming a professional eater, he did take a page from Joey Chest-

efit each individual and the whole community,” Walsh wrote in the statement.

During the summer of 2024, after the IDS had reached out to IU officials for comment and in the wake of the Demondrae Thurman allegations, Jacobs Dean Abra Bush created the Task Force on Sexual Misconduct. The task force’s goal was to analyze the culture of the school and recommend solutions. Their final recommendations, according to an August 2024 email Bush sent to Jacobs students, staff and faculty, included developing guidelines for social interactions between faculty and students, creating a code of conduct for visiting artists and providing education and training.

“The creation of this task force was not in response to any one incident but rather an acknowledgement that work needs to be done in this area at the Jacobs School of Music,” she wrote in the email.

In an interview with the IDS in September, Bush claimed the task force had been planned for a long time. However, she could not give a specific timeframe for when the planning began.

Bush said she takes the issue of sexual misconduct very seriously and listed efforts taken by the school in

nut’s book. The Thursday and Friday leading up to the event, he went on a wateronly fast, consuming about 6 liters of fluid.

The average man should consume about 3.7 liters of water per day, according to the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Water-only fasting helps aid eating challenges by stretching and relaxing the stomach before massive calorie intake, according to CBS News.

Lowney, Krell and the “Not Too Late” crew arrived to the Fine Arts Plaza early, setting up a table and chair for Lowney in front of the Fine Arts Building around 3:37 p.m. Oct. 11. This included multiple crew members with video cameras to allow for crowd interviews and footage. Atop Lowney’s table sat two Powerade bottles filled with water, the platter of 25 chicken fingers, the sauces, paper towels, a small trash can and a gold paper crown.

Gradually, the crowd they had hoped for arrived. At least 60 spectators gathered around the table one minute before the advertised start time, and by the time Lowney took his first bite, around 80 people were there to watch.

Among them were three of Lowney’s friends — all with an order from Chick-filA. Senior Krissy Brzycki, one of those friends, said they would have been there even if they didn’t know Lowney. Her Chick-fil-A order was just a tea.

“I think I’m going to be sick of the sight of chicken by the end of this, for him, in empathy,” Brzycki said.

Around 4 p.m., Krell, acting as the emcee for the event, introduced Lowney with a dramatic speech, characterizing the challenge as “something never before seen, nor imagined.” Krell said later it was inspired by

recent years, such as diversifying faculty and creating a policy specifying appropriate and inappropriate touch. When asked if she believed the Jacobs School or the music industry in general had a particular issue with sexual abuse, she said she had no way of knowing what was happening at other schools and pushed back on the idea that sexual assault was more frequent in music.

“I do think that when people have significant professional profiles, sometimes these issues are more public than they are in other parts of organizations or at the university, for example,” she said.

Daisy’s story Daisy walked home alone in the cold in February 2023, noticing a mark on her neck where her assailant had choked her until her vision darkened. She texted her friends as she remembered

Lowney finished what would be his last piece of chicken: No. 19. He sat, with the small trash can now back in his lap, and puked — a little over 35 minutes after he began eating. The crowd thinned as he vomited, and IUSTV co-entertainment director Logan Vaught thanked the spectators for coming. It was over.

“Whatever way that might mean”

The day before the event, Lowney and “Not Too Late” filmed multiple endings, including one for if he didn’t finish. The episode, which airs Oct. 17, will go with that one. Regardless, Krell saw it as a success. He said the attendance exceeded their expectations, and he hoped it would drum up support for the show.

the similar theatrical introductions by Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest emcee George Shea. The crowd chanted, “Mark, Mark, Mark!” as they waited for him to come out. Two “Not Too Late” staffers opened the doors of the Fine Arts Building, and the chicken man of the hour, sporting a red headband, trotted out.

And he was off. The crowd cheered him on as he scarfed down his first finger, then the next. Two minutes in, he chucked the throw-up trash bin behind him. The “Not Too Late” crew played music from a speaker; among the songs was “Gonna Fly Now,” the theme song from the boxing movie, “Rocky.”

Freshman Mara Vecera and her partner, Pepe Avila, said they decided to bet on whether Lowney would reach 25 fingers. Vecera said he couldn’t, while Avila had more faith in him. The loser would have to buy dinner — and Raising Cane’s was one of the options. In the first 15 minutes, Lowney put down 15 chicken fingers. One person in the crowd said he’d run out of sauce before chicken.

“He’s not going to run out of steam, I’ll tell you that,” another responded. Lowney leaned into working the crowd. He dedicated one chicken finger to “environmental sustainability.” Another went to “feminism.” He called out X users who claimed 25 chicken fingers would be easy to eat.

But his pace was beginning to slow noticeably. Around 4:28 p.m., he sat with his head down. His eating decreased from tender-bytender to bite-by-bite. He stood up and paced around the grass behind the table. The song, “This Is Indiana,” played from the speaker as Lowney’s spirits appeared low.

Around 4:38 p.m.,

the empty look in his eyes, then how he had continued to slap her even after she told him “no.” She listened to Nat King Cole’s “Mona Lisa” on repeat, unable to change the song. Later, he would tell her the song reminded him of her, a remark she found chilling.

She had just wanted to return a T-shirt. He convinced her to stay and played the saxophone for her, she told the IDS later. The sex was consensual at first, she said, but then he became aggressive. Daisy reported her assailant, Solomon Keim, to IU in January 2024. Since then, she has been caught in a flurry of documents and meetings from the Title IX process, fighting to ensure the man who hurt her never hurts another woman again. But the hardest part is the quiet moments, a feeling she describes as being submerged face-down in a bathtub.

***

Two days after the assault, Daisy confronted Keim. During the confrontation, Keim apologized for his “aggressive” behavior and said consent was important to him, according to text messages. In subsequent conversations, Daisy said Keim would portray himself as a

“There’s been nothing quite like this, and maybe there won’t, maybe there will,” Krell said. “I think now the possibility’s out there that really, if you want to, you can have a really stupid idea and do it here, and I think that’s amazing that there will be a team of people who are willing to collaborate on something like this. While initially sort of a throwaway, I think maybe we have changed some sort of the culture here.”

Cynthia Munro, the mother of an IU sophomore from the Baltimore area, had a different perspective. She said she attended after hearing about it from her son, in part because it reminded her of something she’d seen at Ohio State University in the late 1980s.

“I was just intrigued because being in a college campus, and the kind of excitement of people doing things that make no sense really once you’re out of college,” she said.

She said eating contests like this one, though, fell in line with the “ridiculousness” of Gen-Z humor, which she called both universally appealing and unappealing. When the crowd had all left, and only the “Not Too Late” crew remained, Mark Lowney stayed in his seat. Some of his colleagues put the paper crown on his head. He said he will never do another eating challenge and probably never have Raising Cane’s again. He said he didn’t want to let the attendees down and hoped they had a good time, even if they privately judged him for falling short. But minutes after throwing up in front of the crowd and cameras, he recognized the impact he’d had — even if he couldn’t say what that was.

“I don’t think this campus will ever be the same, in whatever way that might mean,” Lowney joked. The episode premieres at 11 p.m. Oct. 17 on the IUSTV YouTube channel and IUSTV Entertainment Instagram page, Krell said.

victim. She began to sympathize with him, feeling that if she stuck by him, maybe he would get better. Then her pain would be worth something, she thought.

“He had this narrative that he created where he was like this broken little baby bird and he just needed somebody to hold his hand until his wings would get better and he could fly on his own,” she said. “It was never framed like he was a predator, it was always framed like he was sick.”

Ultimately, Daisy broke it off with Keim in October 2023. She reported the assault to IU and the Bloomington Police Department in January 2024. Among the evidence she shared was a recording of her final phone call with Keim from Jan. 14, where he did not deny assaulting her and admitted to sexually assaulting multiple people.

A few weeks later, BPD got back to her. In an email to the student, a police detective wrote that Keim had admitted to physically assaulting her but that there was not enough evidence to pursue a rape charge.

GISELLE MARSTELLER | IDS IU senior Mark Lowney lounges in front of his peers while he digests numerous chicken tenders Oct. 11, 2024, in front of the Fine Arts Building in Bloomington. Lowney is the host of IU Student Television’s entertainment show “Not Too Late."

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Wilk currently holds the title of Distinguished Professor Emeritus at IU, where he taught anthropology from 1988 until his 2017 retirement, according to his biography on IU’s list of distinguished and titled professors. Because of this, Wilk has special access to university grants and funding, software, visiting lecturers and more, according to IU’s Emeriti Faculty webpage.

Mark Bode, IU executive director of media relations, did not confirm the status of Wilk’s Distinguished Professor Emeritus title and said IU does not comment on individual cases.

"However, I can say generally, in situations when a faculty member is convicted of a crime, it regularly triggers the removal of honorary and emeriti titles,” Bode said.

Likely over 100 student athletes were subjected to inappropriate invasive examinations from Bomba during his time as team physician, the lawsuit says.

IU is currently investigating allegations made in a letter sent to the university in September by a former student-athlete. Legal counsel later confirmed the student was Mujezinovic.

Kathleen DeLaney, who represents Miller and Mujezinovic, told the IDS in the interview that she has had minimal contact with IU’s general counsel.

“I’m skeptical about the outside investigation,” DeLaney said.

Bomba acted as team physician from 1979 into the late '90s and was inducted into the IU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1994.

He was also team physician under Bob Knight on the 1984 Olympic basketball team.

“I’m standing up for all student athletes who have suffered abuse,” Mujezinovic said in the lawsuit. “I hope that more of our former teammates will speak out and share their stories publicly.”

Mujezinovic played at IU for two seasons from 1995-97, and Miller played four seasons from 1994-98. Both played over 30 games in every season with IU.

“I will never understand why IU leadership did nothing to protect us from what I now understand was sexual abuse,” Miller said in the lawsuit.

Mujezinovic and Miller state in the lawsuit they were required to undergo a physical examination with Bomba each season. The lawsuit goes on to say that IU head men’s basketball trainer Tim

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Garl assigned players to Bomba and his son, Brad Bomba Jr.

Garl was hired at Indiana in 1981 and has remained in the same position. The lawsuit also alleges that former IU men’s basketball head coach Bob Knight and other team and university staff were likely aware of Bomba’s practices.

IU Executive Director of Media Relations Mark Bode did not issue a new statement but did refer the IDS to the previous Sept. 11 statement from IU. An Indiana Athletics spokesperson did the same when the IDS requested for comment on Garl’s behalf.

Another former IU men’s basketball player came forward Oct. 15 with allegations of sexual abuse from former team

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“I was subjected to horrifically invasive and completely unnecessary exams by team physician Brad Bomba Sr., propagated as a perverse rite of passage within the program’s toxic culture of hazing, dehumanization, and silence,” Doe said in the release.

Doe also alleged that team trainers and other staff were “keenly aware” of Bomba’s practices, at times joking about them or degrading players.

Doe wrote in the press release that he was inspired by another anonymous student athlete who came forward about Bomba’s alleged sexual abuse in a letter to IU

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“Michelle Simpson Tuegel intends to conduct a full investigation into Doe’s experience, Bomba’s alleged sexual misconduct, the wider culture around Indiana basketball and the University’s enabling of that culture and misconduct, with the intention to bring legal action against the institution on behalf of Doe and any other survivors,” the press release said.

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Health Spotlight

By Jack Davis

jjd5@iu.edu | @oladipoparker

Bloomington is lauded as a town with an impressive food scene, but in recent years, several local favorites have been lost. A few I miss include Laughing Planet, Darn Good Soup and Falafels. Some reading this story won’t have had the pleasure of ever trying these restaurants, but for longtime residents, we remember these spots fondly and feel their loss in Bloomington’s shrinking restaurant scene.

There are plenty of reasons why some restaurants have closed their doors over the past few years. This is a college town, and the summer months are quiet when students head home. This reduction in population leads to a decrease in business for most restaurants.

And, like all cities during the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant industry had struggled to stay afloat. Bloomington was not saved from this fate. Darn Good Soup, a casual restaurant on the square that featured a variety of delicious soups, was one of my go-to restaurants, but it was permanently closed during the pandemic.

It wasn’t alone. According to the Washington Post, it’s estimated that 90,000 restaurants closed due to the pandemic. This includes everything from bars, cafes, dinners and much more.

Though we still have

Remembering Bloomington’s closed restaurants

wonderful restaurants in town, especially on Fourth Street, some restaurants now feel very similar, and there’s a reason. The pandemic hurt Bloomington’s blossoming restaurant scene, which coincided with another significant development: the rise of restaurant hospitality groups.

These groups create different concepts for each restaurant, but somehow it all feels the same, like it was meant more for Instagram than a unique dining experience. I mean, the new Yogi’s, which is owned by a hospitality group, serves solid pub food, but lacks the personality of the original Yogi’s, which is now just an empty lot on 10th Street.

Bloomington has also become a hotspot for national chain restaurants, especially near campus. Raising Cane’s, Dave’s Hot Chicken, Five Guys and Goodfellas are just four new restaurants on Kirkwood alone in the past few years. While the food may be fast, these chains impact our local restaurant industry and change the vibe of Kirkwood. Local places shouldn’t have to be forgotten just because of large chains.

Recently, two longtime restaurants closed their doors for a better reason than the two previously mentioned. The owners of Irish Lion and Cafe Pizzaria both retired after years of tireless service in Bloomington. Cafe Pizzaria is one of the most well-known restaurants in Bloomington, having been open for 70 years. Several people attempted to visit for one last meal without knowing it had unexpectedly closed its doors in August. According to one person quoted by WRTV, “It’s a heartbreaker, it’s one of the iconic places

in Bloomington. It was part of my childhood and it’s gone.” Restaurants have a way of impacting our lives. Memories are made over meals.

For the 19 years I’ve lived in Bloomington, I’ve seen many of my favorite restaurants close shop. I crave the gyro from Falafels, the chicken tortilla soup from Darn Good Soup and the carry-out burritos from Laughing Planet. These independent restaurants provided great food and had personality. We should do our best to lift our locally owned restaurants despite the ever-changing restaurant landscape in

Bloomington. Encourage your friends and family to explore the diverse dining scene in Bloomington because the best way to keep them in business is by referring them to others in the community. Here’s to hoping something local goes into the space formerly known as Cafe Pizzaria.

Is F1’s attempt to maintain its brand damaging its relationship with fans?

By Ayzah Khan ayzkhan@iu.edu

Watching Formula 1 races throughout the year has become a regular habit for me. Fascinated by this historical sport, I follow everything from changes in the driver lineup to the community on social media, discussing and even attending races.

However, with Formula 1 officials enforcing new limitations on content creators over the summer, I hope my affinity for this sport does not change. As a fan for eight years, I feel uneasy about these shifts that detract from the true nature of the sport.

With Formula 1 working toward securing its brand image, creators whose content and online identities are based on Formula 1 racing have slowly begun to dissociate their handles from the sport. Rumor is that Formula 1 is pushing for this, with racing officials sending cease and desist letters to certain creators monetizing their content. These creators include Formula 1 influencer Mikae-

la Kostaras, who changed her username from “@shelovesf1” to “@shelovesvrooms.” The producers of the podcast “F1r the Girls” also changed the show’s name to “Paddock Project.” Neither provided a reason for the name changes to their respective audiences.

Over the years, Formula 1 has continuously tried to tighten guidelines surrounding media, including trying to prevent drivers from posting video footage and photos from the paddock. Granted, the protection of intellectual property and trademarks is important to any global organization of this level, but many feel that Formula 1 could have reacted to the hard work of these creators in a different way.

With the release of Formula 1’s own Netflix show “Drive to Survive” in 2019 and an increase in F1 online content in recent years, the sport has not only grown largely but has also reached new audiences. A study by Buzz Radar revealed that 22% of fans were likely to learn about the sport through social media and

How

By Max Moore

mjm39@iu.edu

Democratization has been a long and persistent battle in the history of our country. The creation of the Constitution, the Civil War, the women’s suffrage movement and the Civil Rights Movement are all moments in U.S. history where democracy prevailed and created necessary representation for more Americans. But, with these advancements, there are still those who try to push back. It is this pushback that prevents the progression of our union. By making the voting process more inclusive we achieve a more accurate representation of the people’s will.

The issue with making voting more accessible across the country is that it doesn’t ensure a candidate’s victory but gives a stronger voice to the people. For those fixated on power, it is typically more beneficial to simplify the voting process where it benefits them. The most recent example is in Nebraska, where national Republicans attempted to change the state’s unique electoral system in hopes of putting one more point on the board for their candidate.

14% through “Drive to Survive.”

Passionate fans from the community, including myself, feel that Formula 1 could have handled this better, whether that was by establishing a creator partnership program that would benefit both Formula 1 and these creators, or by simply issuing clear guidelines for content creators on how to use F1-related branding without infringing on trademarks.

“It’s tough because I can see it from both sides, because they have a right to protect their intellectual property and they have trademarks on everything,” sophomore and Formula 1 fan Mia Roe said. “But looking at it from a different angle, they have gained so many fans because of people making content on the internet. It’s a giant marketing pool that they don’t even have to pay for.” Roe pointed out one of the sport’s biggest benefits from content creators is free marketing. I think this is something officials have dismissed, not realizing how much it truly

brings to F1.

These creators have brought thousands of fans closer to the sport and have gone on to benefit Formula 1. I would like to believe I am an example of one of those many fans because, even though my love for the sport began a lot earlier than its uprising on social media, its presence on these platforms still plays an integral part in my keeping up with the sport.

This content also shows us fans another side of F1, whether that is through fun videos, memes or even podcasts with guests, including the drivers themselves. With most races being held in European time zones, the community mainly consisted of international fans before its rise online. However, the presence of these creators has brought back a significant number of American fans after years of stagnant viewership.

But F1’s actions are beginning to push fans away from the sport to other much more welcoming series, including IndyCar, which is at the highest tier

open-wheel racing car series in the United States in the world of motorsport. Unlike Formula 1, IndyCar has not only been encouraging creators but has also been using social media to its advantage by bringing fans closer to the action.

Last year, IndyCar hosted a televised event at The Thermal Club, a raceway in Thermal, California, that hosted a non-championship exhibition for auto racing. The creator team included the hosts of “Traffic Talk,” a motorsport-based podcast, and motorsports streamer and

Nebraska could decide the presidential election

In presidential elections, the outcomes hinge on key “swing states” that do not traditionally vote Democrat or Republican. These states are often the focus of campaigns, and where candidates spend most of their time visiting, advertising and hosting rallies. However in this cycle, Nebraska, historically a red state, has entered the spotlight for a different reason. Nebraska and Maine are the only states that do not practice the typical winner-takeall electoral system. Instead, the two states allocate their electoral votes by congressional district, allowing for a more accurate representation of the state. Ideally, the rest of the country would adopt this stance since it would ensure the people’s vote was reflected more accurately.

But, where some see progress, others see a problem to be solved. Most recently, national Republicans pushed for a change to this method of allocating votes, but not in the name of democracy. In the 2020 election, Joe Biden was able to secure Omaha, Nebraska’s “blue-dot,” leading to a 4-1 split between him and Trump. This time around, Trump wanted to make sure

that this was not possible, since one vote could potentially be the difference between winning or losing.

In a race that has been neck and neck since Kamala Harris became the Democratic nominee, there are a few situations where Omaha could decide the election.

Assuming Harris has similar success to Biden’s 2020 run, she would secure the “Blue Wall,” including swing states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. Conversely, if Trump holds battleground states, such as Arizona, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina, as he did in 2016, we could be in for an unprecedented election. In this scenario, both candidates would win 269 votes, leading to a tie and leaving the results up to a final vote in the House of Representatives. If that isn’t enough to prove the significance of the blue dot, let’s consider what could have been had Trump been successful in changing Nebraska. In this scenario, Trump would win all five of Nebraska’s votes, regardless of the voter makeup in Omaha, and would take the election in a 270-269 victory. This win is not based on representation, not based on the

vote of those in Omaha, but based on a partisan push to un-democratize the state.

Fourtuenaly, this change was ultimately stopped in Nebraka’s legislature, thanks to Omaha state Senator Mike McDonnell, who resisted pressure from Trump and fellow Republicans. Had he supported the switch, two other senators in the unicameral legislature would have followed suit and created the change.

Though Republicans were unsuccessful, the attempt highlights many broader issues within American politics and the GOP. Republicans framed the change as a way to “unite” Nebraska under a winner-take-all system. But true unification is achieved when all of the people’s voices are heard in the most accurate fashion possible. That is democracy. Proper democracy is also not denying the results of a lawful election, as Trump has continued to claim since his defeat in 2020.

Ideally, our country would work based on popular vote, allowing for democratic majoritarian rule — a concept endorsed by many of the greatest democratic thinkers, including the late Yale professor and politi-

Ash Vandelay. As a fan of motorsport myself, I would appreciate it if F1 did something similar, as it gives us fans an insight into a part of the sport that we don’t get to see very often, especially with the content we receive being monitored by F1. This is a potential learning experience for Formula 1, prompting a rethink of its strategies when it comes to protecting its reputation. Ultimately, I believe F1 has a right to protect its brand, but such heavy-handed methods could cause it to lose traction.

cal theorist, Robert A. Dahl. Dahl said in his book “A Preface to Democratic Theory” that “The principle of majority rule is naturally the only principle compatible with democratic government.”

Dahl emphasizes that a true democracy must be representative of all its people and majority rule is an essential function of the pure democratic process. To tie this situation back to Indiana, let’s consider how we play a critical role in this situation as well. Indiana, much like Nebraska, is a politically predictable

state but still has areas of variance such as urban cities like Indianapolis. Continuing to use a winner-take-all system in our state potentially makes those who live in places like Indianapolis, a large part of the state’s population, feel as if their vote is irrelevant because they know, ultimately, their vote won’t alter the results. This could erode voter participation, leaving much of the city’s population feeling that their vote holds little power, ultimately undermining the very foundation of democracy itself.

JACOB SPUDICH | IDS

Cafe Pizzaria is pictured Aug. 28, 2024, at 405 E. Kirkwood Ave. in Bloomington. The restaurant closed on Aug. 28, 2024, after 71 years in business.

creator

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz Jr. rounds the track during the first practice of the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix auto race Nov. 16, 2023, in Las Vegas. Formula 1 officials sent cease and desist letters to certain creators monetizing racing content.

COURTESY OF CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP | TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

The Nebraska State Capitol is pictured May 14, 2024, in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska started its congressional-district method of awarding electoral votes in 1992.

JACK’S JAMS

Hiss Golden Messenger and Hannah Frances shine

By Audrey Pfeiffer

anpfeiff@iu.edu

Folk Americana singers

Hiss Golden Messenger and Hannah Frances sang songs and shared stories about sobriety, grief and fate during a performance Oct. 9 at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. The proceeds went to Amethyst House, a non-profit organization providing drug and alcohol addiction rehabilitation in Bloomington.

Before the show began, Amethyst House Officer John Batey said Amethyst House’s mission is to destigmatize and provide treatment for those with substance abuse disorders. Lead singer of Hiss Golden Messenger, M.C. Taylor, also spoke on the importance of this organization.

“I am very happy to be playing on behalf of Amethyst House, an incredible organization doing very important work, and I’m honored to be a part of it,” Taylor said.

The show kicked off with opener Hannah Frances, who entered the stage to excited applause. She performed “Bronwyn” as her first song.

Frances released her newest album, “Keeper of the Shepherd,” this year, which features a blend of emotional depth and indie influences. Between songs, Frances described the story behind her album and the content of the songs, including her barn in Vermont and her familial grief.

During her time on stage, Frances performed a mix of songs from her debut album, “My Heart is a Sea Bell,” her newest album and some unreleased songs from her album coming out next year.

Frances took a moment to recognize Hiss Golden

By Sarayu Gannamani

saganna@iu.edu

IU has hundreds of clubs and organizations for students to choose from, making it difficult to find the right one to commit to.

A student’s busy schedule only allows them to devote time to a few clubs at once, so here is a guide to help you find clubs that are the right fit for you.

Identify your interests

First, figure out what hobbies or activities you want to pursue. Some people look for clubs closely aligning with their major or academic goals, and some want to choose a club based on an interest they pursued in high school. Others may want to try something completely new. In my opinion, it is good to get involved in a diverse set of clubs.

By Ursula Stickelmaier

ustickel@iu.edu

“Boy, it’s not that complicated” that Sabrina Carpenter’s new album, “Short n’ Sweet,” is a hit, but it’s her live performances that make this era truly iconic.

In August 2024, Carpenter released her latest album “Short n’ Sweet.” The album features songs about dating and Carpenter’s past relationships. Since its release, “Short n’ Sweet” has quickly become one of Carpenter’s most popular albums, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 Albums chart. Carpenter officially began her musical career in 2014 when she released her first ever single “Can’t Blame a Girl for Trying.” Around that same time, Carpenter started acting for Disney Channel, where she played the role of Maya Hart in the “Boy Meets World” spinoff “Girl Meets World,” which aired its first episode that same year. Carpenter also spent some time on Broadway, performing in the lead role of Cady Heron in the musical “Mean Girls” from March 10, 2020 to June 7, 2020. Carpenter’s career has only grown since, skyrocketing her into massive popularity. “Short n’ Sweet” gained 233 million streams in its first week. With this growth, her

Messenger for allowing her two-week leg of tour with them and said she was grateful for this experience, since her section of the tour is coming to a close.

“It’s been a true pleasure and inspiration to see [Taylor] every night, and it’s a privilege to play music in general and travel to do so,”

Frances said.

After Frances exited the stage, there was an intermission for the stage to be reset with Hiss Golden Messenger’s setup, including a vase of flowers and an ethereal backdrop.

Once lead singer Taylor entered, he quickly went into his opening song

“Hallelujah Anyhow.” Taylor told a story about the impact Indiana had on the start of his music career and his debut album, “Bad Debt.” About 15 years ago, Taylor wanted to get 100 copies of a vinyl printed, so he went to LUNA music owner Todd Robinson in Indianapolis to do so.

COLUMN: A guide to choosing the right club for you

I used to think I had to join clubs solely aligning with my professional goals or ones that looked good on my resume. However, I realize now that this is not the case. While organizations connected with your major are important for getting experience in your chosen career path, getting involved with clubs related to your hobbies or ones that allow you to try something new are equally important. They can provide a way for you to unwind and relax or focus on other interests that are important to you.

“Most students should think of what they want to do for fun when joining a club,” Char Jones, vice president of operations at WIUX, said. “So much of college is focused on having a successful career after college, and while that is

important, sometimes it’s just nice to do something for yourself.”

Consider size of the club

Some students work best in an environment with fewer people, whereas others thrive in larger organizations. If you are nervous about meeting a large group of people, you have to decide if it is something you want to try or if it will be counterproductive. Stepping outside of your comfort zone is equal parts intimidating and rewarding.

Do research

The beINvolved website is a great source to explore all the clubs and organizations at IU. You can use the categories filter to narrow down the options by theme such as arts and entertainment

or sports, but also school. Social media is also helpful in discovering new clubs and organizations. A club’s posts can help inform the overall goals, values and upcoming events you might be interested in.

Go to the call-out meeting

Once you create a list of clubs of interest, attending a club’s call-out meeting can be really helpful. Clubs provide important information like schedules and application deadlines while introducing you to current members. You also have the chance to meet others who are considering joining. Attending these meetings can help you understand the environment of the club, which can further guide you in deciding if you want to join. Even if you don’t end up joining the club, it’s

Taylor sold the vinyls out of the trunk of his car.

“It was that shop that was the first place to sell ‘Bad Debt’ anywhere,” he said. “So, Todd, wherever you are, thank you.” Taylor emphasized the heavy messages that “Bad Debt” carries. The themes of sobriety, grief and faith can be hard for someone to listen to all-in-one sitting, which Taylor recognizes.

“The first couple nights that we were doing this tour, I got on stage and was just like ‘Oh my God. What are we doing?” Taylor said.

Connecting to the Amethyst House sponsor, Taylor sang “Super Blue (Two Days Clean),” a song about his sobriety.

Despite the dark themes of the album, Taylor said it was important to show his thought process of making the songs relate to current experiences.

“The energy we seem to be living with is if you can collectively hold the good stuff and bad stuff at the same time,” Taylor said. “You better be able to, because that’s how life is.” For the rest of the show, Taylor performed more songs off “Bad Debt,” including “O Little Light,” “Straw Man Red Sun River Gold,” “Call Him Daylight” and others. After finishing his performance, Taylor thanked Frances for her contributions during this leg of the tour.

Hiss Golden Messenger and Hannah Frances can both be found on all music streaming services through their websites.

a good way to meet people and learn about what you value in an organization.

Stay up to date

It is very important to keep up with updates for the clubs you are interested in, especially things like application deadlines or call-out meeting dates. You can find most of the information by following the organization on social media, joining its GroupMe or subscribing to its newsletter if there is one.

COLUMN: Sabrina Carpenter is a tour de’ force

music has evolved as well.

The person behind the voice you hear on Carpenter’s first ever album, “Eyes Wide Open,” is much different than the iconic and provocative performer fans see today. It’s this change in her musical style and stage presence that makes her so entertaining to watch. When talking about Carpenter’s most captivating performances, fans most often mention any performance of her song “Nonsense,” specifically her (in)famous outros. On her “Emails I Can’t Send” tour, Carpenter would change the outro of her song “Nonsense” to rhyme with the city or event she was playing in. Usually, these outros included sexual innuendos and became so popular that fans even began to make a guessing game of what the outro could be before each show. Some of Carpenter’s notable outros were during her Philadelphia show in October 2022, her performance in the BBC1 Radio Live Lounge in February 2023 and her Paris show in July 2023. With Carpenter beginning her “Short n’ Sweet” tour, the “Nonsense” outros have been retired from her setlist. Regardless, every iconic outro will stay in fans’ hearts forever.

More recently, Carpenter performed at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards with a medley of three songs from

her latest album, “Please Please Please,” “Taste” and “Espresso.” The “Taste” section of this performance gained a lot of attention on social media apps, such as TikTok, not just because of Carpenter’s performance, which featured a spacethemed set with alien and astronaut backup dancers, but because of who was in the crowd.

“Taste,” which came out this year as part of her “Short n’ Sweet” album, is rumored to be about the love triangle between Carpenter’s fan-suspected 2023 fling Shawn Mendes, Mendes’ former girlfriend Camila Cabello and Carpenter herself. Fans believe the song to be in response to Cabello’s song “June Gloom,” which was released in June of this year and includes lyrics that hint toward Mendes and Carpenter’s relationship. All this added to the fans’ shock when Carpenter sang “Taste” at the 2024 VMAs, an event that had both Mendes and Cabello in attendance. It may have felt like a bold choice from Carpenter, but it was definitely one that made the show all the more iconic. With her latest tour now just beginning — her first show kicked off in Columbus, Ohio, on Sept. 23 this year — fans have already begun obsessing over various attributes of Carpenter’s concerts. How a performer opens and ends

their show is typically a big part of the performance. One sets the tone for the rest of the night and the other, if good enough, will leave fans with that same excitement they came in with. Carpenter takes this idea to a whole other level, doing her best to make her concerts entertaining even when she isn’t on the stage. For her Columbus show, Carpenter included a video at both the beginning and end of her act. Her opening video started with a cartoon version of

herself walking with various cartoon birds and cats, then transitioned to a funny video of her getting ready and “interacting” with the crowd before the screen came up. The whole thing, especially the beginning, was reminiscent of a ‘50s sitcom with a bit of an edge, very similar to Carpenter’s musical and performance style. Though the “Nonsense” outro has been retired, Carpenter added a video outro to her new tour. The video consists of several

different takes of Carpenter saying goodbye to her fans.

Shot in a home movie style, the outro video is sarcastic, funny and a great way to close out a concert even after Carpenter has left the stage. It’s the concert equivalent of movie end credit scenes. As Carpenter’s tour continues, there are sure to be many performances that both shock the crowds and take over the internet. And as a fan of Carpenter’s music and brand, I can’t wait to see what comes next.

GISELLE MARSTELLER | IDS Lead singer of Hiss Golden Messenger, M.C. Taylor, sings Oct. 9, 2024, in the Buskirk-Chumley Theater in Bloomington. Taylor performed his

MICHELLE REZSONYA | IDS

The Student Involvement Tower is photographed Oct. 8, 2024, at the Indiana Memorial Union in Bloomington. The tower has been used as a meeting space by many of IU’s student organizations.

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

Sabrina Carpenter performs onstage during the second day of the Outside Lands Music Festival on Aug. 10, 2024, in San Francisco, California. Carpenter’s “Short n’ Sweet Tour” started Sept. 23, 2024.

Heartland Film Festival brings global films to Indianapolis

By Danny William dw85@iu.edu | @deepwizardry_

INDIANAPOLIS

– Living

Room Theaters slowly came to life Oct. 12 on the third day of the 33rd Heartland International Film Festival.

Running from Oct. 10-20, the multi-venue festival plans to host over 200 filmmakers and 110 films. Starting at noon, Oct. 12 saw screenings across the city of Indianapolis at Kan-Kan Cinema and Restaurant, Living Room Theaters, Landmark Glendale 12 Theater and Newfields, as well as virtually on Heartland Film’s Virtual Film Hub.

The day kicked off at Living Room Theaters with the second presentation of the Indy Shorts winners. The screening presented multiple short films, including “Purgatown,” winner of the Indiana Spotlight Award at Heartland Film’s High School Film Competition, and “Makayla’s Voice: A Letter to the World,” a documentary about a teenage girl harnessing her voice while grappling with a form of autism that leaves her nonverbal. Heartland Film has hosted Indy Shorts International Film Festival since 2018, and the festival takes place during the summer.

John B. Ludwick, an associate professor at Ball State University, was a storyboard artist on “LUKi & the Lights,” an animated short film about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Ludwick began working on the film in 2021 with director Toby Cochran.

“What you see in the film now is almost exactly what I storyboarded,” Ludwick said.

“That’s a privilege.”

The film won the Audience Choice Award at Indy Shorts.

“Essentially, you’re trying to make this thing, and even though it’s a film, you’re trying to reach out and communicate with people and help them understand how you feel about a thing,” Ludwick said. “And to see that other people felt that way, I don’t know, is there a better reward than that?”

Jessica Chapman is the director of marketing at Heartland Film. On top of promoting the festival, she moderated Q&A sessions with filmmakers after screenings early in the day at Living Room Theaters. Chapman has attended HIFF since she was in middle school.

“It used to be our family fall tradition,” Chapman said. “We’d hop around to as many theaters as we could.”

Now, Chapman has a hand in creating the beauty of HIFF.

“I love the fact that these are films that you don’t necessarily see every day. Sometimes you’re getting sneak-peek looks at big films before they hit theaters. You’re also getting to see local Indiana filmmakers,” Chapman said. “But at the end of the day, I think my favorite part is being able to actually meet the filmmakers and hear from them from the Q&As. I think that’s kind of the beauty of the festival, is really connecting the audiences with the filmmakers.”

HIFF’s theme this year is Expand Your Universe. Chapman said film can transport a viewer across the galaxies of identity.

“Film has such a great way of really putting yourself in someone else’s shoes and allowing you to see other places and other ideas that you just might not have ever experienced before,” Chapman

said. Later in the day, the PitchDox Main Event started nearby at Kan-Kan Cinema and Restaurant. Five documentary filmmakers pitched their films for the chance to win $10,000 in funding. The event was hosted by Hoodox, an Indiana nonprofit aimed at uplifting Hoosier documentarians and hosting a space for their work.

Malakai Tyne Bisel, Derek Hockemeyer and Victoria Britton won the award for their short film “Bloom,” which

follows a Fort Wayne man, Alex Babich, in his quest to grow the nation’s tallest sunflower. All Fort Wayne natives, the trio initially thought the film would be a light exploration of a local curiosity. However, they found something much deeper than they anticipated.

“We realized that his attempts to balance obsession with his time with his family and his partner and his responsibilities was a lot more interesting,” Bisel said. Britton described Babich as a self-

made man and entrepreneur.

“And as filmmakers, independent filmmakers, we can definitely respect that as well,” Britton added. The filmmakers will use the $10,000 award to improve technical aspects of the film, as well as delving deeper into Babich’s life and family.

“What this film has done is reminded me that filmmaking is not a given. It’s something that you get to do. It’s a privilege, it’s a passion,” Hockemeyer said. “And I think

being able to work on this project now with PitchDox’s support, just being able to pursue that, is going to be amazing. And I’m so excited.” The festival will continue until Oct. 20 with daily screenings across Indianapolis. Many films are available to stream virtually for $15 each, which will be available until the end of the festival. Tickets cost $12 each for in-person screenings. A final awards presentation will be hosted Oct.

DANNY WILLIAM | IDS

Malakai Tyne Bisel, Derek Hockemeyer and Victoria Britton

for a photo Oct. 12, 2024, at the Heartland International Film Festival in Indianapolis. The filmmaking trio won $10,000 at the

Indiana checks in at No. 25 in AP preseason poll

By Dalton James jamesdm@iu.edu | @daltonmjames

Indiana women’s basketball is ranked No. 25 in The Associated Press’ preseason poll released Oct. 15. The Hoosiers are one of six ranked Big Ten squads behind No. 3 USC, No. 5 UCLA, No. 14 Ohio State, No. 18 Maryland and No. 23 Nebraska.

Indiana is coming off a 26-6 season in 2023-24, falling to the University of South Carolina in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. After Mackenzie Holmes and Sara Scalia graduated following the season, the Cream and Crimson are now tasked with replacing 45.3% of their scoring production from last season.

Indiana head coach Teri Moren added a pair of transfers in the offseason in guard

Shay Ciezki and forward Karoline Striplin from Penn State and the University of Tennessee, respectively. The Hoosiers also added three players in the 2024 high school recruiting class — forwards Faith Wiseman and Sydney Fenn alongside guard Valentyna Kadlecova.

Hoosier Hysteria is slated for 7:30 p.m. Friday inside Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. The event will consist of the team being introduced, Moren addressing the crowd, various skills competitions and an intrasquad scrimmage. It will stream live on Big Ten+

The Hoosiers will host Maryville University at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 before opening their regular season against Brown University at 7 p.m. Nov. 4. Both contests will stream on Big Ten+.

All Saints Orthodox Christian Church

6004 S. Fairfax Rd. 812-824-3600 allsaintsbloomington.org webbrk1@gmail.com Youtube video of services on website

Sunday: 9 a.m.: Sunday Matins

10 a.m.: Sunday Divine Liturgy

Monday: 9 a.m.: Third Hour Prayers

Tue. & Thu.: 9 a.m.: Divine Liturgy

Wednesday: Noon.: Sixth Hour Prayer

6 p.m.: Daily Vespers

Friday: 9 a.m.: Divine Liturgy

Saturday: 5 p.m.: Great Vespers

Father Peter Jon Gillquist

Thomas Przybyla - Pastoral Assistant

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Bloomington Young Single Adult Branch

2411 E. Second St.

To Contact: Send message from website maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/ wards/237973

Sunday: 12:30 p.m.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has four congregations in Bloomington—Three family wards and our young single adult branch for college students. This info is for the YSA Branch. Weekday religious classes at 333 S. Highland Ave, Bloomington IN 47401, next to campus.

More info at churchofjesuschrist.org.

Lutheran - Missouri Synod

University Lutheran Church and LCMS U Student Center

607 E. Seventh St. 812-336-5387 indianalutheran.com facebook.com/ULutheranIU instagram.com/uluindiana

Sunday: 9:15 a.m.: Sunday Bible Class

10:30 a.m.: Sunday Divine Service

Wednesday: 7 p.m.: Wednesday Evening Service

Student Center open daily:

9 a.m. - 10 p.m.

The LCMS home of campus ministry at IU, our mission is to serve all college students with the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ, located across from Dunn Meadow and the IMU. The Student Center is open daily for study, recreation, and prayer. For full schedule, visit our website.

Rev. Timothy Winterstein - Campus Pastor

United Methodist

Jubilee

219 E. Fourth St. 812-332-6396 jubileebloomington.org

Facebook: First United Methodist Church of Bloomington, IN Instagram: @jubileebloomington

Sunday: 9:30 a.m., Classic Worship 11:45 a.m., Contemporary Worship Wednesday: 7:30 p.m., College & Young Adult Dinner

Jubilee is a Christ-centered community open and affirming to all. We gather on Wednesdays at First United Methodist (219 E. 4th St.) for free food, honest discussion, worship, and hanging out. Small groups, service projects, social events (bonfires, game nights, book clubs, etc.), outreach retreats, and leadership opportunities all play a significant role in our rhythm of doing life together.

Markus Dickinson - jubilee@fumcb.org

Inter-Denominational

Redeemer Community Church

111 S. Kimble Dr. 812-269-8975 redeemerbloomington.org facebook.com/RedeemerBtown

Instagram & Twitter: @RedeemerBtown

Sunday: 9 a.m., 11 a.m.

Redeemer is a gospel-centered community on mission. Our vision is to see the gospel of Jesus Christ transform everything: our lives, our church, our city, and our world. We want to be instruments of gospel change in Bloomington and beyond.

Chris Jones - Lead Pastor

American Restoration Movement

North Central Church of Christ

2121 N. Dunn St. 812-332-2248 nc3family.org Facebook.com/nc3family

Sunday: 10 a.m., Worship 11 a.m., College Class

Come learn about historic Christian teaching on theology, ethics, and culture. We offer an alternative to the post-modern ideologies and teachings you often see in your lives today.

Shane Himes, PHD - Senior Minister

Orthodox All Saints Orthodox Christian Church

6004 S. Fairfax Rd. 812-824-3600 allsaintsbloomington.org

webbrk1@gmail.com Youtube

Christian Science Church

2425 E. Third St. 812-332-0536 bloomingtonchristianscience.com facebook.com/e3rdStreet

Sunday Church Service: 10 - 11 a.m. Wednesday

a sense of peace and joy. We appreciate the Christian Science Monitor news magazine for its integrity, fairness and compassion.

(Christian Science Monitor) csmonitor.com Christian Science

Instagram: @bloomingtonbahai Sunday: 10:40 a.m.,

Services, Devotional Meetings. Please call or

and tranquility of all peoples." Karen Pollock Dan Enslow Bahá'í Faith

FILE PHOTO | IDS

Indiana women’s basketball players on the bench are pictured celebrating against Lipscomb University on Nov. 19, 2023, at Simon Skjodt

Assembly Hall in Bloomington. The Hoosiers were ranked No. 25 in the preseason AP poll released Oct. 15.

Indiana earns second highest ranking in Big Ten

By Mateo Fuentes-Rohwer matfuent@iu.edu | @mateo_frohwer

After going unranked for all of the 2023-24 season, Indiana men’s basketball ranked No. 17 in The Associated Press preseason poll released Oct. 14.

The Hoosiers secured the second-highest transfer recruiting class in 2024, according to 247Sports. Their transfer class features sixthyear senior Oumar Ballo, 247Sports’ second-ranked player in the transfer portal.

Along with Ballo, 2023-24 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and redshirt sophomore Myles Rice and sophomore Kanaan Carlyle joined the Hoosiers from Washington State University and Stanford University, respectively.

Bryson Tucker, a 2024 McDonald’s All-American and a five-star recruit, according to 247Sports Composite, was the only member

of Indiana’s incoming high school recruiting class.

Fifth-year senior guard Trey Galloway, junior forward Malik Reneau and sophomore forward Mackenzie Mgbako headlined Indiana’s returning players. Galloway (10.6) and Reneau (15.4) secured career-highs in points per game in 202324, and Mgbako earned co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors.

The Hoosiers are the second-highest ranked Big Ten squad, only behind No. 14 Purdue. UCLA is No. 22 while Rutgers is No. 25. Indiana’s new-look squad will be on display at Hoosier Hysteria at 7 p.m. Friday. The Hoosiers begin their preseason with an exhibition matchup with the University of Tennessee at 3 p.m. Oct. 27 inside Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Check the IDS every Thursday for your directory of local religious services, or go online anytime at idsnews.com/religious For membership in the Indiana Daily Student Religious Directory, please contact ads@idsnews.com Your deadline for next week’s Religious Directory is 5 p.m. Monday

Society of Friends (Quaker)

Bloomington Friends Meeting

3820 E. Moores Pike

812-336-4581

bloomingtonfriendsmeeting.org

Facebook: Bloomington Friends Meeting

Sunday (in person & Zoom) :

9:45 a.m., Hymn singing

10:30 a.m., Meeting for Worship

10:45 a.m., Sunday School

(Children join worship 10:30-10:45)

11:30 a.m., Refreshments and Fellowship

12:30 p.m., Events (see website)

Wednesday (Zoom Only) :

7 p.m., Meeting for worship for Peace

Friday (Zoom Only) :

9 a.m., Meeting for worship

We practice traditional Quaker worship, gathering in silence with occasional Spirit-led vocal ministry by fellow worshipers. We are an inclusive community with a rich variety of belief and no prescribed creed. We are actively involved in peace action, social justice causes, and environmental concerns.

Peter Burkholder - Clerk burkhold@indiana.edu

Non-Denominational

Christ Community Church

503 S. High St. 812-332-0502

cccbloomington.org

facebook.com/christcommunitybtown

Instagram: @christcommunitybtown

Sunday: 9:15 a.m., Educational Hour

10:30 a.m., Worship Service

We are a diverse community of Christ-followers, including many IU students, faculty and staff. Together we are committed to sharing the redeeming grace and transforming truth of Jesus Christ in this college town.

Bob Whitaker - Senior Pastor

Adam deWeber - Worship Pastor

Dan Waugh - Adult Ministry Pastor

Christian Student Fellowship

1968 N. David Baker Ave. 812-332-8972 csfindiana.org

Instagram: @csfindiana

Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Christian Student Fellowship (CSF) exists as a Christ-centered community focused on helping students truly know Jesus Christ. Our ministry operates from an on-campus house where students can live. Reach out to schedule a tour of the house or a visit to our Thursday night worship service!

Ben Geiger - Lead Campus Minister

Stephanie Michael - Campus Minister

Joe Durnil - Associate Campus Minister

Hailee Lutz - Office Manager

City Church 1200 N. Russell Rd. 812-336-5958

citychurchbloomington.org

tiktok: @citychurchbtown

Instagram: @citychurchbtown

Sunday Service: 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11:45 a.m.

City Church is a multicultural church on the east side of Bloomington. We provide transportation from campus. Our college and young adult ministry meets on Tuesday nights.

David Norris - Pastor

Sacred Heart Church

615 N. Fairview St. 812-345-5239 sacredheartbloomington.org facebook.com/sacredheartbloomington

Sunday: 10:30 a.m.: Refreshments and Fellowship 10:45 a.m.: Worship Service Tue., Wed., Thu.: Midweek Meals (Check Facebook)

Sacred Heart is a nondenominational church that seeks to follow Jesus by acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with God. We strive to be a safe, inclusive community where you can bring your doubts, questions, struggles, and joys before a loving God and find true belonging. All are welcome! Dan Caldwell

Episcopal (Anglican)

Canterbury Mission

719 E. Seventh St. 812-822-1335 IUCanterbury.org facebook.com/ECMatIU

Instagram & Twitter: @ECMatIU

Youtube: @canterburyhouseatiu9094

Sunday: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Mon., Wed., Thu.: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Noon - 8 p.m. Fri., Sat.: By Appointment

Canterbury: Assertively open & affirming; unapologetically Christian, we proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ by promoting justice, equality, peace, love and striving to be the change God wants to see in our world.

Ed Bird - Chaplain/Priest

Independent Baptist

Lifeway Baptist Church

7821 W. State Road 46 812-876-6072 lifewaybaptistchurch.org facebook.com/lifewayellettsville

United Church of Christ and American Baptist Churches-USA First United Church 2420 E. Third St. 812-332-4439 firstuc.org facebook.com/firstuc

Sunday: 10:30 a.m., Worship

Monday: 10 a.m. via Zoom, Bible Study

We are an Open, Welcoming, and Affirming community of love and acceptance dedicated to welcoming the diversity of God’s beloved. We exist to empower, challenge, and encourage one another to live out Jesus’ ways (compassion, truth, and justice) authentically as human beings in community to create a better world.

Rev. Jessica Petersen-Mutai Senior Minister

Baptist Emmanuel Church

1503 W. That Rd. 812-824-2768 Emmanuelbloom.com Instagram & Facebook: @EmmanuelBloomington

Sunday: 9:15 a.m., Fellowship

Sunday: 10 a.m., Worship Groups: Various times

Emmanuel is a multigenerational church of all types of people. Whether you are questioning faith or have followed Jesus for years, we exist to help fuel a passion for following Jesus as we gather together, grow in community, and go make disciples.

John Winders - Lead Pastor

Second Baptist Church

321 N. Rogers St. 812-327-1467 sbcbloomington.org facebook.com/2ndbaptistbloomington youtube.com/@secondbaptist churchbloomington

Sunday Service: 10 a.m., In house and on Facebook/YouTube Sunday School: 8:45 - 9:45 a.m. Bible Study: Available In House and on Zoom Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m., Thursdays, Noon

Please come and worship with us. We are in training for reigning with Christ! Need a ride? Call our Church bus at 812-3271467 before 8 a.m. on Sunday

Rev. Dr. Bruce R. Rose - Pastor Tallie Schroeder - Secretary

Unitarian Universalist

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Rose House LuMin & St. Thomas Lutheran Church

3800 E. Third St. 812-332-5252 Stlconline.org lcmiu.net

Instagram: @hoosierlumin facebook.com/LCMIU facebook.com/StThomasBloomington

Rose

LuMin and St.

Lutheran Church invite you to experience life together with us. We are an inclusive Christian community who values the faith, gifts, and ministry of all God’s people. We seek justice, serve our neighbors, and love boldly.

Rev. Adrianne Meier Rev. Lecia Beck Rev. Amanda Ghaffarian - Campus Pastor

Unity Worldwide

Unity of Bloomington A Center for Spiritual Growth

4001 S. Rogers St. text/call: 812-333-2484 unityofbloomington.org

IG: @unityofbloomington facebook@UnityofBloomington

Sunday Celebration: 10:30 a.m.

Discover a vibrant, welcoming community at Unity of Bloomington – “a positive path for spiritual living”. Our center offers a space for spiritual growth; embracing all with open arms. We proudly affirm and welcome the LGBTQ+ community, fostering love, acceptance, and inclusion. Join our loving congregation, where everyone is valued and encouraged to explore their spiritual journey. At Unity of Bloomington, all are welcome and together we thrive!

Minnassa Gabon - Spiritual Leader

Phyllis Wickliff - Music Director

Reformed Protestant

Trinity Reformed Church

2401 S. Endwright Rd. 812-825-2684 trinityreformed.org lucas@trinityreformed.org facebook.com/trinitychurchbloom

Sunday: 10:30 a.m., Sunday Morning Services 7 p.m., Bible Study at the IMU

We are a Reformed Protestant church on the west side of Bloomington with lively worship on Sunday mornings and regular lunches for students after church. We love God and His Word. Please get in touch if you’d like a ride!

825

Sunday: 9 a.m., Bible Study Classes 10 a.m., Morning Service

5 p.m., Evening Service

*Free transportation provided. Please call if you need a ride to church.

Student Ministry: Meeting for Bible study throughout the month. Contact Rosh Dhanawade at bluhenrosh@gmail.com for more information.

Steven VonBokern - Senior Pastor Rosh Dhanawade - IU Coordinator 302-561-0108 bluhenrosh@gmail.com

Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington 2120 N. Fee Ln. 812-332-3695 uubloomington.org facebook.com/uubloomington

Jody Killingsworth - Senior Pastor Lucas Weeks - College Pastor Church

Sunday: 10:15 a.m., via in person or livestream We’re a multi dynamic congregation actively working towards a more just and loving world. We draw inspiration from world religions and diverse spiritual traditions. Our vision is “Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, Changing the World.” A LGBTQA+, Dementia Friendly, Welcoming Congregation to all ages and groups and a Certified Green Sanctuary.

Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray

Senior guard Trey Galloway drives the ball during a fastbreak Dec. 16, 2023, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington. The Hoosiers were

Indiana’s Miller, Heuer earn Big Ten awards

By Mateo Fuentes-Rohwer

| @mateo_frohwer

matfuent@iu.edu

Indiana men’s soccer fifthyear defender Jansen Miller and freshmen midfielder

Charlie Heuer secured midweek Big Ten honors Oct. 15.

The honor marks Miller’s first Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week award since transferring to Indiana in 2022. The center back contributed an assist in Indiana’s victories over the University of Kentucky and Penn State, while also helping keep a clean sheet against the Nittany Lions.

Heuer’s Big Ten Freshman of the Week award comes off the heels of Indiana’s 2-0 victory over Penn State. The midfielder scored both goals in the match, the first two of his collegiate career in only his third appearance of the year.

Miller and Heuer both featured in Indiana’s dominant 5-0 victory over Michigan on Oct. 15. Indiana improved its record to 6-3-5 overall and 4-1-2 in the Big Ten.

Woodson compares Bryson Tucker to Hood-Schifino

By Daniel Flick danflick@iu.edu | @ bydanielflick

Indiana men’s basketball head coach Mike Woodson is no stranger to five-star freshmen. His newest one is even less of a question mark — because Woodson has seen similar.

Forward Bryson Tucker, the Hoosiers’ lone high school recruit in the 2024 class, made an immediate impression on Woodson and his staff.

And while Indiana is just under three weeks away from its exhibition opener Oct. 27 against the University of Tennessee, Woodson feels he’s seen enough to dish lofty praise toward Tucker.

“He kind of reminds me of ‘Fino’ a little bit in terms

of his demeanor,” Woodson said Oct. 3 at Big Ten Media Day in Rosemont, Illinois, referencing former Hoosier guard Jalen Hood-Schifino.

Like Tucker, Hood-Schifino entered Bloomington as a highly touted recruit. He was Indiana’s highestranked signee in the 2022 class and quickly proved why, averaging 13.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists en route to winning 202223 Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

Hood-Schifino was selected No. 17 overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2023 NBA Draft. His smooth midrange jumper and scoring capabilities made him the prospect he was, but his veteran poise allowed him to maximize it. Take,

for instance, Hood-Schifino’s 35-point explosion in a winning effort at Purdue on Feb. 25, 2023, in a raucous Mackey Arena.

Whether Tucker gets the playing time to produce such results this season remains to be seen. Indiana has a deep roster, one that fifth-year senior guard Trey Galloway called the most talented he’s played on. Tucker, however, may leave the Hoosiers with no choice but to let him see the court.

Woodson said Sept. 18 at Indiana basketball’s institutional media day Tucker still has to learn the college game, but he’s very talented and has played at a high level since arriving on campus in June for summer workouts.

This reasoning stems from the 18-year-old Tucker’s mental maturity, which Galloway said isn’t typical for players with his high school resume. Tucker quickly picked up Indiana’s style and system with an eagerness that’s stood out to his veteran teammate.

“The way he’s wanted to come in and learn has been very, very helpful for us,” Galloway said Sept. 18. “We haven’t had to do as much teaching for him, because he’s gotten it pretty quickly.”

Tucker adds versatility to the Hoosiers’ offense, as he can play both on and off the ball and Woodson believes he can handle the ball if needed. Galloway noted Tucker’s also a proven shot maker.

Indiana knew it was getting a talented player in Tucker — one look at a recruiting page said as much — but his maturity and the way he carries himself off the court have been pleasant surprises.

“The way he’s wanted to come in and learn has been very, very helpful for us.”

Trey Galloway

For this, Woodson credits Tucker’s upbringing to his father, Byron, and mother, Tina.

Aspen Heights Atlas on 17th

The Avenue on College

BAM Property Management

Bio fe Plasma Services LP

Brawley Property Management

City Flats

CORT Furniture

Current at Latimer Square

The Dillon

Distinct Management

Elkins Apartments

Evolve

The Fields Apartments

Granite Student ving

HAND

Hoosier Commons

Hub Bloomington - Core Spaces

Hunter Bloomington

IU Housing Operations and Assignments

IU Student Legal

Jamar Properties

Ken Nunn Law Office

“I think a lot of that is because he didn’t play AAU ball,” Woodson said. “Daddy (and) Mama kept him away from it, and he basically trained the old-fashioned way. And it’s been a nice carryover for him.” Freshmen often face a steep learning curve inseason, a phenomenon better known as the “freshman wall.” Galloway said it’s challenging for first-year players to find a rhythm and get comfortable, which prohibits them from playing to their potential. It’s possible, if not probable, Tucker encounters that at some point. But thus far, it’s been smooth sailing for the Hoosiers’ latest prized recruit.

Kirkwood Property Management

The League

The Monroe

North Point Management

Olympus Properties

Orion Property Management

Park On Morton

The Quarters

Regency Multifamily

Relato Apartments

Reserve on Third

The Rive

Sarge Rentals

The Standard

State Bloomington

Stratum at Indiana

Tenth and College (Cedarview)

Third Apartments

Urban Station & Stageyard

Varsity Properties

Village at Muller Park

WICK Apartments

Woodbridge Apartments of Bloomington

“Now, does he have a lot of things to learn? They all do,” Woodson said. “But boy, he’s shown in our early stage right now that he belongs.”

LAUREN MCKINNEY | IDS

NEVER DAUNTED UNSTOPPABLE INVINCIBLE UNDEFEATED UNTOUCHABLE VICTORIOUS HOOSIERS

HOMECOMING

GUIDE 2024

An Indiana Daily Student Special Publication

What to know about IU’s Homecoming Parade

By Ursula Stickelmaier ustickel@iu.edu

There’s one week in October where the IU campus is buzzing with more than just current students. This week marks the 116th Homecoming celebration at IU since the school established the event in 1908 with “Gala Week.”

Originally, it was a week-long celebration that included a circus and banquet for alumni. Since being established, an important part of Homecoming has been the Homecoming parade, a staple-event IU fans can look forward to Oct. 18 this year.

The first documented reference to the parade was a photograph of a float in the 1923 IU Homecoming Parade, according to IU Blogs, making this year’s celebration the 101st parade since that photo in the Arbutus yearbook.

The early years of the parade included many of the same things fans see during the celebration today. City officials, prominent athletic staff members and athletes, Greek organizations, the school marching band, cheerleaders and even local celebrities were among some of the original participants in the parade. Since then, various IU clubs have be-

come more involved in parade festivities, along with Bloomington businesses.

“The parade is a great avenue for student organizations and the community to come together to celebrate IU and show off their Hoosier pride,” Fransico Cáceres, the Student Alumni Association member in charge of the parade, said.

Fans can expect to see a variety of floats, decorated cars, walking groups and performance acts in the parade this year.

“We are expecting around 60 entries and cannot wait to see what everyone comes up with this year,” Cáceres said.

Groups participating in the parade will be judged on a five-point scale based on six different criteria. According to the IU Alumni Association, that criteria will include how well the theme is incorporated, the amount of participation, the creativity of the entry, presentation appeal, the quality and detail put into the construction and if the organization’s name is displayed in a clear and original way. Walking and performance groups will also be judged on how well their wardrobe fits the theme and the success of their choreography. Floats, decorated cars,

musical acts and walking groups will be judged in separate categories, with the winner of each one receiving a commemorative plaque. There will also be an overall winner of the parade who will receive a trophy.

The Homecoming court, which, according to the Herald-Times, has been a tradition since the 1940s, will also be a part of both the parade and Homecoming football game.

This year’s parade theme will be Hollywood Hoosiers, though it hasn’t officially been announced yet as to who will be in the parade. Attendees of the event can most likely expect to see Hollywoodesque floats and parade members walking the streets of Bloomington.

Free parking will be available to those looking to attend the event in the IU Athletics lots. From there, fans can walk to 13th Street where the parade will officially begin at 5:30 p.m. When looking for a spot to watch from, the route will be on Woodlawn Avenue and the parade will walk from 13th Street to 17th Street, leaving plenty of space to choose from.

Other 2024 Homecoming events can be found on the IU Alumni Association page.

Where to watch the Hollywood Hoosier parade

Go Hoosiers” for parade members to see Oct. 20, 2023, on Woodlawn Avenue. The Homecoming parade will be on Woodlawn Avenue between 13th Street and 17th Street.

BRIANA PACE | IDS

A cheerleader is photographed on Oct. 20, 2023, on Woodlawn Avenue. The parade theme this year is “Hollywood Hoosiers.”

A glimpse into parades of

Gail Krieble, a then-freshman from Terre Haute, is chosen 1966 Homecoming Queen.

Doug Wulf and Debra Jackson serve as Homecoming King and Queen in 1983.

Rally in front of the Sample Gates.

Fireworks burst overhead while the band played at the pep rally.

Then- Sophomore cheerleader Kaci Beaty fires up the crowd during the IU football Homecoming game against Northwestern in 2003.

Q&A

with the 2024 Homecoming Court

By Ellie Adam ehadam@iu.edu

Every homecoming, the IU Alumni Association chooses 12 undergraduate students to be a part of the IU Homecoming Court, which plays an avid part in the homecoming celebrations, parade and football game. Two candidates will be crowned king and queen and awarded a $500 scholarship. The Indiana Daily Student spoke with each member of the 2024 homecoming court.

Alaina DeVille

Junior studying cybersecurity , representing IU Student Government

What do you love most about IU Homecoming?

The culture, excitement and buzz that all comes with the Homecoming game. The before, the during and the after is such a special experience. Because of how well IU has been doing in football this season, I think this upcoming Homecoming will be particularly special. There has been a change of momentum and culture of staying at the games to show love for our team.

What made you decide to apply for Homecoming Court? I feel like I’ve had so many opportunities and experiences within the IU community, and I wanted to represent my experiences and uphold this tradition that IU has created. It led me to apply because I love this campus, and I want to be a part of its legacy. I want to put a good foot forward with how we present ourselves and the Homecoming Court in general.

Emily Koechel

What makes you most excited about being a representative on the Homecoming Court this year?

My entire family is very IUdriven; my grandfather was the police chief here for years. My mom and dad both met and got married here. They had their wedding reception at the union in the Tudor Room. I love IU because of the family and connections I have with it which makes me beyond honored to represent Hoosier Hype Crew on the Homecoming Court. To think that I’m even part of this is awesome.

Why do you think students should know about IU homecoming? Homecoming is a very important part of our university. It ties in the spirit of everything. It brings the alumni and current student body together and we have this great opportunity to celebrate this university together.

Veronica Salama

Senior studying biology & neuroscience, representing IU Student Government

What about IU is so special to you? When I came to IU, I wanted to make sure I was getting to experience everything that the university had to offer while focusing on academics. I love the community that IU has given me, and I’m still friends with the same people I met my freshman year of college. Seeing our friendships grow over the years has been beautiful. My friends are my biggest cheerleaders. I honestly don’t think I would be here without them. They text me, check in on me and show up when they can. For someone who is so busy, having that type of support system is really crucial.

What do you love most about IU Homecoming? I love how students rally and go all out for Homecoming. It’s a huge part of IU tradition and I feel like every year students go all out. It’s amazing to see how much people take pride in their school, especially this year since we’re good at football. The school spirit is just so mesmerizing, seeing the stands filled with red and white is honestly one of the best parts about Homecoming.

Kate Dimmett

Senior studying marketing, representing IU Student Foundation

What made you decide to apply for Homecoming Court? I was encouraged to apply at a Riders Council meeting, and I thought “why not.” I’ve had friends and mentors who have been on the Homecoming Court in previous years, and they had such great experiences. I thought it would be a great opportunity to meet more IU student leaders. I still can’t believe I’m a senior and this year I’m just trying to soak it all in.

What do you love most about IU Homecoming? The tradition and how it brings so many people back. It’s especially exciting because of how well our football team is doing this year. Every year that I’ve been at IU I have been in the IU Homecoming parade. I love that it highlights so many IU organizations and gets the whole community involved. I love that it really brings all of IU and our community together.

Francisco Cáceres

Junior studying public relations and Spanish, representing

What made you decide to apply for Homecoming court?

want to bring all the passion and energy that we give at all these events. Being able to show a greater appreciation not just for IU but for the students that are giving all their time and effort. Homecoming has been one of my favorite things I’ve been involved in at IU,

Last year I was the Homecoming chair for SAB. Our big goal was to win the Homecoming Parade Float Competition because it’s about the points at the end of the day. I came to the steering meetings at the alumni center, where I met some amazing people who are a part of the alumni committee (Alumni Association) and saw how fun it was. We ended up winning the parade and grand champion overall. I had a lot of fun doing it all and was then encouraged by SAB and the alumni committee (Alumni Association) to apply

Editor’s note: The IDS was unable to get an interview with candidate Lu Harper who is representing the Queer Student Union in time for publication.

Gracie Stoller

What made you decide to apply for this year’s Homecoming Court? I was in the Marching Hundred last year, and two of my very close friends ran for Homecoming. Hearing about all the experiences they’ve had sounds amazing and I would love to give back to the community in some of the small ways that they did.

Why do you want to represent IU Powerlifting on the Homecoming Court? I would love to represent both the music and public health aspects that I embody out on the field. I think it’s cool that I get to represent IU Powerlifting because I’m very passionate about women and strength sports. I love to encourage women to pursue anything that they want to do. Junior studying exercise science, representing IU Powerlifting

Jack Lloyd

Why should students know about Homecoming?

What made you want to apply for Homecoming Court? I was encouraged through the student foundation. This seems like something I would never do, but I knew this was definitely something my sister would do so I thought I’d give it a try. I thought it would be fun to tell my family and friends about it. It’s cool to learn about it as

Ayzera Rice

Why do you think it’s important for you to represent your chapter Zeta Phi Beta on

upon: doing community action and serving the community. So that’s what I’m here to emphasize.

How has IU made a significant impact on your college experience? Coming to IU means a lot to me because I know that I wouldn’t have gotten the same opportunities that I have today

Rachel Curry

Why do you wish to represent Alpha Kappa Alpha on Homecoming Court? It’s more of an advocacy aspect for me. I want people to kind of recognize that there are so many different student organizations out there and there is a lot they can be a part of. I am both the president and a legacy member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Most of the women on my dad’s side were members of AKA too. It’s very special that I get to be a part of this, especially within my own college experience. You are also co-president of the social-work student association and a member

Senior studying human biology, representing the American Medical Women’s Association

a good break in the semester where people can just relax and enjoy everything that IU has to offer. Whether it’s to connect with the alumni or your family and friends.

Senior studying sports media, representing Hoosier Hype Crew

By Natalia Nelson and Parker Rodgers

nelsonnb@iu.edu | parkrodg@iu.edu

In town for Homecoming Weekend? There’s plenty to do ahead of kickoff.

Friday, Oct. 18

This year’s theme for Bloomington’s annual Homecoming parade is “Hollywood Hoosiers.”.

Starting at 5:30 p.m. on 13th Street, floats will head down Woodlawn Avenue to 17th Street. A Marching Hundred performance will round out the parade. The BloominGrass Festival is the place to be for bluegrass and folk fans. For two nights at 7 p.m. at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, musicians including Sam Bush and the John Prine Tribute will take center stage.

After the parade, fans can head up the street to catch Indiana men’s soccer take on Michigan State at 7 p.m. at Bill Armstrong Stadium. The team is looking to extend its home win streak to three games after securing two home victories against the University of Kentucky on Oct. 8 and Penn State on Oct. 11.

Hoosier Hysteria is set to take place at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, giving fans their first glimpse of both the men’s and women’s basketball teams. The event includes skills challenges followed by a scrimmage. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the action starting at 7:30 p.m. Entry is free, but fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to donate to the Hoosier Hills Food Bank.

Saturday, Oct. 19

An annual Homecoming classic, the IU Alumni Association’s Hoosier Huddle tailgate starts at 9 a.m. at the Virgil T. DeVault Alumni Center and promises food, drinks and live entertainment. registration closed Oct. 16.

Saturday’s main event is Indiana’s Homecoming football game at noon against Nebraska inside Memorial Stadium.

The Hoosiers enter the game undefeated, looking to improve to 7-0 in the sold-out matchup. Indiana will face a Nebraska team known for its impressive sellout tradition, having achieved 401 consecutive sellouts at its Memorial Stadium.

Heightening the excitement of the contest is Nebraska five-star fresh-

man quarterback Dylan Raiola. The son of former Cornhusker and NFL center Dominic Raiola, Dylan has quickly established himself as a leader for the Cornhuskers. In just six games, he has thrown for 1,358 yards and nine touchdowns.

If fans want something to do before the game, they can catch Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff show — which is making its second-ever appearance in Bloomington — hosted by Rob Stone for pre-game coverage and analysis.

The new Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology will host its grand opening from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and will display two new exhibitions. It’s located at 416 N. Indiana Ave. Live music, tours and free food vouchers for the first 80 at-

tendees, courtesy of Rasta Pops and Pili’s Party Taco, will also be included.

The Buskirk-Chumley Theater will show Bloomington High School South’s production of “Beauty and the Beast” at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 for children and $27 for adults, available online or at the door if not sold out.

Sunday, Oct. 20

Indiana field hockey also has two Homecoming weekend matches at Deborah Tobias Field. The first is at noon Friday when it takes on the University of California, Berkeley. The second is at noon Sunday, when the Hoosiers face Stanford University.

With so many events, Homecoming weekend promises something for every Hoosier.

By Lilly Dingman ldingman@iu.edu

Indiana University has a rich history with plenty of traditions, such as the Little 500, which dates back to 1952, and Hoosier Hysteria, which celebrates the start of IU basketball. One of IU’s awaited traditions is Homecoming, a weekend filled with activities to get fans pumped for the Homecoming football game Oct. 19. Homecoming Parade Every year, IU kicks off

Homecoming Weekend with the Homecoming Parade that goes down Woodlawn Avenue. Hundreds of IU alumni, students and faculty will gather to see student groups and local community organizers showcase floats decorated in this year’s theme: Hollywood Hoosiers.

Homecoming Court

Every year, IU chooses a handful of outstanding undergrad students to be a part of the Homecoming Court. Those interested in

the role applied to be considered for the court in September. A panel of judges, composed of faculty and alumni, interview their top 12 candidates. Members of the court will participate in both the Homecoming Parade and the Homecoming game. During the game’s halftime, two of those students will be crowned as Homecoming royalty and receive a $500 scholarship.

Hoosier Huddle Tailgate There wouldn’t be col-

lege football without the tailgating that proceeds the game. The IU Alumni Association celebrates Homecoming with the annual Hoosier Huddle three hours before the Homecoming game kicks off at noon. From 9-11:45 a.m. at Virgil T. Devault’s Alumni Center, IU fans can attend the Homecoming tailgate that provides attendees with food and drinks from local businesses, live entertainment and giveaways. Spots are limited, so interested fans can reserve

a spot by going to My IU’s website. The Hoosier Huddle isn’t the only place IU fans can tailgate before the game. Many Hoosiers will have their own pre-game party in the Memorial Stadium parking lot and other surrounding areas. The parking lot will be filled with Hoosiers celebrating

Visiting Bloomington?

By Joey Sills sillsj@iu.edu | @sillsjoey

Homecoming weekend at

IU is a hallowed tradition, a prodigious event where students and alumni alike celebrate everything that makes our school what it is. It can be easy, then, to spend the weekend on campus, whether at Memorial Stadium or along the parade route or at any one of the several alumni events. But part of the marvel of the weekend is Bloomington itself: just as Old IU leaves an indelible mark, so too does B-Town. With that being said, here

are some places — new and old — you should be sure to visit this weekend.

Indiana Merch You probably already have some — read, a lot — of this in your closet already, but it’s hard to argue one ever has enough cream and crimson. I mean, it just looks fantastic on you. Make sure to stop by Greetings on Kirkwood if you’re looking for a wide array of affordable T-shirts or The Indiana Shop if you’re trying for something sportier. You’d be remiss to not also check out Tracks, but only if you’re okay with

walking away with a few vinyl records or CDs you just had to buy.

Places to Shop Besides clothing, you’ll probably be tempted to check in with some of the other stores around downtown. If you didn’t get your fill of music from Tracks, you’ll find everything you could possibly want at Landlocked Music right off the Square. Nearby is TD’s CDs and LPs, another record store that specializes in more obscure releases you might not find in your more mainstream spots.

While you’re on Walnut Street, swing by the Book Corner to pick up some reads; or, if you’re looking for a cheaper option, the Friends of the Library Bookstore, located in the Monroe County Public Library, is open most days of the week and always features some high-quality, but very affordable, volumes. And, if you’ve already been to these places and want to visit a hidden gem, then Steve’s Book-O-Rama on East Sixth Street is exactly your cup of tea. Right next to Steve’s are Vintage Phoenix, a dedicated

comic-book retailer, and Vulture Video, a movie rental store. Both of these decidedly old-school options are indicative of the independent, alternative side of Bloomington that helps make it such a cultural powerhouse.

Spots to Eat Of course, while you’re here, you’ll be tempted to stop by some of your old favorite restaurants, and that’s okay! Places like Mother Bear’s Pizza, Nick’s English Hut, Buffalouie’s and the Village Deli hold a special place in our hearts for a reason. But it’s also

worth visiting some of the less iconic, but still widely loved, gems surrounding campus: places like Fat Dan’s Chicago-Style Deli, FARMbloomington or Z & C Teriyaki & Sushi. It’s imperative to mention, too, the restaurants down Fourth Street, like Siam House, Indian Garden and Dats. And, if you’re truly in a hurry, Downtown Bloomington houses a bustling food truck scene — mobile restaurants like Pili’s Party Taco and Doner Kebab are almost always up and running and are just as good as their sitdown counterparts.

BRIANA PACE | IDS

Greetings on Kirkwood is pictured Jan. 30, 2024, on Kirkwood Avenue in Bloomington. Visitors found new IU gear and enjoyed the classic Bloomington restaurants nearby.

IDS FILE PHOTO

A group converses Sept. 29, 2023, outside of Mother Bear’s Pizza on Third Street. Mother Bear’s is famous for its high-quality pizza.

GAVIN MARIANO | IDS Tracks Music is pictured on Kirkwood Avenue in Bloomington. Tracks opened in 1988 and sells vinyl records, CDs and apparel.

FOOTBALL

IDS analyzes and predicts Hoosiers’ season

By Dalton James, Daniel Flick and Jhett Garrett sports@idsnews.com

With its 41-24 victory over Northwestern on Oct. 5, Indiana football officially reached the halfway point of its season with an unblemished 6-0 record. In the first season of the Curt Cignetti era, the Hoosiers are ranked No. 16 in the AP Poll — a place they haven’t been since the 2020 season. After bringing in over 50 new players ahead of the season, Indiana has meshed seamlessly and largely dominated its opponents as it has yet to trail a contest.

Led by sixth-year senior quarterback Kurtis Rourke, an Ohio University transfer, the Hoosiers’ offense leads the Big Ten in points per game (47.5), total yards per game (515.7) and passing yards per game (315.3).

Indiana kicks off the second half of its season at noon Saturday against Nebraska inside Memorial Stadium with Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff in town. In preparation, the Indiana Daily Student’s football beat reporters and columnist offer their analysis on the season and predictions for the rest of the campaign.

Biggest positive

DALTON JAMES: Curt Cignetti. Indiana football went 9-27 over the past three seasons — an abysmal stretch in which the Hoosier faithful couldn’t wait until basketball season. This season, however, is the opposite. Indiana has a pair of sellouts in its games against Nebraska on Oct. 19 and Michigan on Nov. 9. The fanbase is buying in, and for good reason — they finally have something to cheer for.

DANIEL FLICK: I think it’s fair to say Indiana athletic director Scott Dolson made the right head coaching hire last winter. When he fired then-head coach Tom Allen on Nov. 27, 2023, the Hoosiers’ football program was irrelevant — and a long way from the heights of 2020, when Indiana went 6-2. Now, Cignetti’s subtle sideline swagger seems to have rubbed off on his new-look roster, which has quickly brought the program to the forefront of national headlines. No matter how far Indiana goes this fall, Dolson should sleep well at night knowing he has Cignetti overseeing the onfield product.

JHETT GARRETT: The Indiana defensive line has not only been the biggest positive of the team but also one of the biggest positives in the Big Ten. It ranks second in sacks and tackles for loss with 19 and 41 respectively, only trailing Nebraska by one in both categories. The Hoosiers also have the third-most forced fumbles in the conference with five. They’re led by redshirt junior Mikail Kamara, who is tied for the most sacks in the Big Ten with five and ranked 11th nationally. Kamara also sits with the fourth most TFLs in the conference with 7.5. Senior James Carpenter has come alive in his last three games, picking up three sacks and providing another force to be reckoned with for oppos-

ing teams.

Biggest question

JAMES: The matchup with No. 4 Ohio State on Nov. 23. The Hoosiers haven’t beaten the Buckeyes since 1988, and over the last three matchups, they’ve been outscored 133-24. Ohio State brought in the No. 9 transfer portal class in the country, headlined by safety Caleb Downs, running back Quinshon Judkins and quarterback Will Howard, despite only adding seven transfers. It’s no cheap roster with Ohio State’s players receiving “around $20 million” in NIL, according to CBS Sports. While the Hoosiers could potentially enter the matchup with only a loss or two, the game serves as a measurement of where Indiana football is truly at in comparison to the perennial college football powers.

FLICK: Can Indiana’s defense return to form?

Through the Hoosiers’ first four games, defensive coordinator Bryant Haines led the unit to top 10 rankings nationally in several key categories, including points (9.3) and yards (199.3) allowed per game. But over the past two contests, Indiana has battled defensive struggles. Maryland scored 28 points and totaled 401 yards Sept. 28, while Northwestern — which tallied just 5 points against Washington on Sept. 21, its last game before facing the Hoosiers — notched 24 points and 336 yards Oct. 5. In both contests, the Hoosiers finished strong in the fourth quarter. Redshirt junior defensive end Mikail Kamara mentioned after the Northwestern game he looked forward to the defense getting healthier over the bye week — and as Indiana’s strength of schedule increases, its defense needs to find the level it reached earlier in the campaign, though that was done against lesser compe-

tition.

GARRETT: How will Indiana fair during the “tough part” of their schedule? Of course, what the Hoosiers have done through the first six games is impressive and should not be overlooked. They have simply outmatched opposing teams at nearly every position in those games. That much I don’t think will change outside of their visit to Columbus, Ohio, on Nov. 23 for a matchup with Ohio State. Kurtis Rourke has performed better than every quarterback in the Big Ten this season, with elite skill players at the running back and receiver positions. While the “they haven’t played anyone yet” argument is a valid point to bring up, the Hoosiers have a better roster than all but one team remaining on their schedule.

Most valuable player

JAMES: Quarterback is the most important position in football, and Kurtis Rourke has played it nearly perfectly through the first half of the season. The Oakville, Ontario, Canada, native went 118 for 160 for 1,752 passing yards alongside 14 touchdowns and two interceptions, earning two Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week awards. He hasn’t done anything flashy, but he’s hitting the open man and protecting the ball — except for the Hoosiers’ first two drives against Maryland on Sept. 28. When sixthyear senior offensive lineman Nick Kidwell was ruled out for the season in midAugust, protecting Rourke may have been a concern. The Hoosiers’ offensive line has largely put that concern to bed, allowing Rourke to be sacked just six times. If Indiana continues its undefeated streak, it’ll surely be thanks to Rourke.

FLICK: Rourke is certainly the home-run pick here,

but for the sake of being different, I’ll go with Mikail Kamara. Through six games, the 6-foot-1, 265-pound Kamara collected five sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss. Kamara, who transferred to Indiana from James Madison University last winter, is on pace to be the first Hoosier with double-digit sacks in a season since defensive end Jammie Kirlew totaled 10.5 sacks in 2008. Yet even when Kamara doesn’t finish with a sack, he gets close. He ranks No. 7 in the Football Bowl Subdivision with 26 quarterback pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. Indiana’s pass rush has flourished this fall — the Hoosiers’ defense finished with 20 sacks in 2023 and is already at 19 this season. Kamara is the unit’s biggest pass rushing threat, and while his numbers are strong, his presence creates one-on-one matchups for the rest of Indiana’s defensive front, which elevates the entire group. Kamara’s value is immense whether through his own production or the way he impacts opposing game plans.

GARRETT: Rather than having just one player, the running back duo of fifthyear senior Justice Ellison and seventh-year senior Ty Son Lawton has been the biggest advantage on the offensive side of the ball for Indiana. While Kurtis Rourke has propelled the Hoosiers to the second-most passing yards per game in the Big Ten, one can argue that the ground game set that up. Indiana ranks fourth in the Big Ten with 200.3 rushing yards per game. Players like redshirt junior Elijah Green and junior Kaelon Black have found their way into the end zone to give the Hoosiers the most rushing touchdowns in the Big Ten with 23, which also ranked third in the nation.

Biggest key to sustaining success:

JAMES: Curt Cignetti

constantly preaches preventing complacency, and while that’s likely the most important key to success, Indiana remaining healthy is also important. While the Hoosiers haven’t sustained many injuries other than Nick Kidwell’s seasonending injury and former senior receiver Donaven McCulley’s ailment, they need to stay healthy for the long haul. Sure, injuries are typically freak accidents, but if they do manage to stay healthy throughout the season, I foresee minimal losses to finish off the year.

FLICK: Curt Cignetti has said more than his fair share of buzzwords and phrases since his introductory press conference Dec. 1, 2023, but one that often goes undiscussed is “stalking complacency.” Originally, such an idea seemed foolish. Indiana won nine games between 2021-23 — what was there to be complacent about? Now, it makes sense. The Hoosiers’ bye week came at an advantageous time from a health perspective, as Indiana will enter the season’s second half with a fresh body and clear head. But after the Northwestern game, Cignetti warned of the downside of the bye, noting players will hear all about what they can and can’t do this season. Cignetti, however, is confident the veteran-laden Hoosiers won’t have any issues with outside noise infiltrating their mind. That said, Indiana football has been the talk of the town — but the ultimate goal, as Kamara said at Northwestern, shouldn’t be 6-0. That should merely be an indication of where the Hoosiers are headed. How well Indiana dodges complacency will be crucial to dictatcing how its season ends.

GARRETT: Indiana’s backbone has been the ability to get a stop on defense when the offense stagnates. The defense has been filled

with electricity led by junior Aiden Fisher, who leads the Hoosiers in tackles and has arguably been the best player for Indiana on that side of the ball. If you take away all 21 of his solo tackles, he would still be tied for the team lead in total tackles with 34. Adding his 1.5 sacks and solo pass deflection on the year, the JMU transfer is critical to the success of this team. Beyond the numbers, his leadership on and off the field is a big reason for why Indiana is 6-0. Fisher staying healthy is the biggest key to Indiana’s success on defense which has been a strong suit for much of the season.

Final regular season record prediction

JAMES: With Indiana football’s track record of falling to teams it shouldn’t, I am hesitant to say 11-1. But after assessing their final six games, I see no reason why the Hoosiers can’t finish with just one loss. While it’s always possible to falter on the road to Michigan State on Nov. 3, I foresee the Cream and Crimson winning that game, alongside beating Nebraska, Washington, Michigan and Purdue. Indiana could be in contention for the Big Ten Championship come early December, but an 11-1 finish would surely cement them in the College Football Playoff. Indiana and CFP in the same sentence? That’s certainly a new one.

FLICK: I’ll be the pessimist in the trio, but only marginally — I think Indiana finishes 10-2. Beating Ohio State on the road Nov. 23 is a tall task, and it feels plausible the Hoosiers could falter against either Nebraska, Washington, Michigan or Michigan State. Indiana is well-coached, has a deep group of offensive playmakers and continues to grow in confidence. That’s a dangerous collection of traits — and a 10-win Indiana should find itself in a strong bowl game. While not as fun as the College Football Playoff talk previously mentioned, it remains a miraculous feat considering where the program stood 12 months ago.

GARRETT: At the beginning of the year, I held off on strapping a rocket to this football team. Now, at the mid-season point, I don’t want to hold back any longer, which is why I think Indiana will finish the season 11-1 with a loss on the road against Ohio State. Outside of that meeting with the Buckeyes at the end of November, Indiana will be favored in every game the rest of the season, and rightfully so. While things could get tricky on the road against Michigan State, or at home against Michigan, Washington and Nebraska, they proved to me in the last two games against Maryland and Northwestern that this team can boat race solid competition. They have shown they can handle adversity and things not going their way, which is a great sign for the rest of the way. Indiana has put themselves in a position to be playing in Indianapolis the first weekend of December for a Big Ten Championship and maybe even a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Jailin Walker expected to be at ‘full speed’ for sold-out clash

By Dalton James jamesdm@iu.edu | @DaltonMJames

Coming off its first idle week of the season, Indiana football is set to host Nebraska at noon Oct. 19 inside Memorial Stadium. With Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff in town, one of the Hoosiers starting linebackers is expected to return from injury.

Senior linebacker Jailin Walker exited the Hoosiers’ contest against Northwestern on Oct. 5 just before halftime. As he walked toward the locker room at the break, Walker didn’t have his jersey or his pads on as he favored his right arm. He watched the second half from the sideline.

Now, two weeks later, Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti expects Walker to return to action Oct. 19

without missing a game.

“J-Walk is a guy you never count out,” Cignetti said during his press conference Oct. 14. “And I expect him to be full speed on Saturday.”

After moving to 6-0, Cignetti explained the training staff would see how Walker felt on Oct. 7. The Richmond, Virginia, native was limited during spring camp and didn’t play in the spring game as he underwent offseason shoulder surgery. Walker is no stranger to injuries, serious ones at that. Cignetti recalled Walker’s prior injuries that led medical staffs to believe he wouldn’t play again, just for him to return two weeks later.

Redshirt junior defensive lineman Mikail Kamara said Walker getting injured against the

Wildcats wasn’t the “worst thing in the world” because of the Hoosiers’ idle week. He declared Walker wouldn’t miss another game. While there are positions the Hoosiers don’t necessarily have a lot of depth, Cignetti said, he “feels good” about the linebacker room because of redshirt sophomore Isaiah Jones and freshman Rolijah Hardy’s continued development.

The Hoosiers are set to face off against Nebraska at noon Oct. 19 inside Memorial Stadium. Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff will set up on the plaza south of the stadium — its first trip to Bloomington since Oct. 8, 2022. Fox’s top commentary lineup of Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt and Jenny Taft will be on the call.

BRIANA PACE | IDS

Indiana football players run out of the tunnel before taking on the University of North Carolina at Charlotte on Sept. 21, 2024, inside Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. The Hoosiers are ranked No. 16 in the AP Poll.

BRIANA PACE | IDS

Senior linebacker Jailin Walker (middle) prepares to run out of the tunnel before a game against Florida International University on Aug. 31, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. Walker exited the Hoosiers’ matchup against Northwestern on Oct. 5 with an injury.

Inside the origin of the nickname ‘Waffle House’

How Indiana football reciever Elijah Sarratt got his viral nickname

By Daniel Flick

danflick@iu.edu | @ByDanielFlick

An hour and a half before kickoff against Northwestern on Oct. 5, Indiana football junior receiver Elijah Sarratt took a seat on the middle of three benches on the Hoosiers’ sideline.

Sarratt had a white Gatorade towel draped over his head on a mid-70s afternoon in Evanston, Illinois, while the bench offered an awning that further helped block out the sun.

It was the only time Sarratt was covered all day. With 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and the Hoosiers holding a narrow 27-24 edge, Sarratt made a contested catch over the middle, gaining 12 yards to help Indiana convert on third-and-9. Sarratt stood up, looked at the same sideline he sat on four hours prior, and gave an emphatic first down signal with his right arm, signifying the critical conversion.

Sarratt’s catch came with Northwestern redshirt sophomore defensive back Braden Turner draped over him. It didn’t matter. The Hoosiers finished the drive with a touchdown, extending their lead to two scores and effectively ending the Wildcats’ upset bid.

Indiana won, 41-24, and Sarratt finished with seven catches for 135 yards, his third game with at least 125 receiving yards this season.

Growing up, Sarratt didn’t have a nickname — his family called him “E.” His brother, Josh, had a more creative tag: Cheese.

As a child, Elijah said Josh whined frequently. His parents, Donnie and Kim, asked if he wanted cheese with his “whine.” Josh still goes by Cheese. Elijah, however, has a new nickname.

“Y’all can say Waffle House,” Sarratt said in a press conference Sept. 10.

“Because I’m open 24/7.”

Waffle House, the breakfast restaurant famous for its 24-hour, 365-day service, is a subtle yet indicative name for Sarratt. However, he didn’t give it to himself.

The creation of “Waffle House” came during summer workouts, when Indiana’s receivers discussed

nicknames for each oth-

er. Some, like 5-foot-11, 210-pound senior Miles Cross, who goes by “Hercules,” earned their nickname from physical characteristics.

Courtesy of redshirt sophomore Omar Cooper Jr., Sarratt received his through on-field play.

“I can’t attest to the validity of Waffle House always being open,” Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti said Sept. 30. “But even when he’s not, he’ll find a way to come down with the ball.”

Fifth-year senior Ke’Shawn Williams, who transferred to Indiana from Wake Forest University last winter, said the Demon Deacons had a collective name for their receiver room instead of individual tags.

It’s reversed in Bloomington, but the prevalence of nicknames remains the same — particularly for Sarratt.

“We call him Waffle House every day,” Cross said. “It’s real.”

And accurate. The 6-foot-2, 209-pound Sarratt leads Indiana’s receiver room with 29 catches for 513 yards on 41 targets. He’s also scored a pair of touchdowns.

Among 106 Football Bowl Subdivision wideouts with at least 40 targets, Sarratt is tied for No. 34 nationally in reception rate, catching 70.7% of the passes thrown his direction. The Stafford, Virginia, native has dropped just one pass all season.

Sarratt’s steady hands followed him into the transfer portal from James Madison University, where he dropped only two throws — both against Georgia Southern University on Oct. 14, 2023 — on 99 targets in 2023. The year prior, while attending Football Championship Subdivision school Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania, Sarratt didn’t drop any of his 65 targets, according to Pro Football Focus.

Such reliability stems from an exhaustive work ethic that Cooper said shows up each day on the Hoosiers’ practice field at Mellencamp Pavilion. Senior tight end Zach Horton, who played with Sarratt at

James Madison, noticed Sarratt’s energy in practice shortly after meeting in the spring of 2023.

“He’s just a hard worker,” Horton said. “Really hard worker. He’s constantly af ter practice working. It’s re ally nice to have him on your team than rather go against him — that’s all I know.”

Sarratt has made four contested catches on 10 tries this season, according to PFF. He’s made the extraor dinary become the expecta tion. And Sarratt, who fol lowed Cignetti from James Madison to Bloomington, has solidified himself as a dependable weapon in the Hoosiers’ offense.

“He loves ball,” Cignetti said. “He’s very competitive. He’s got good talent. He’s got great ball skills. He’s really good at contested catches. He’s always up — he’s got a great personality. He’s eager to practice, eager to play and loves ball.”

Sarratt arrived in Bloom ington this spring with a strong pedigree. He was a first-team all-conference selection at both Saint Fran cis and James Madison, and he led all true juniors in the FBS with 21 career receiving touchdowns entering the fall.

But the Big Ten presents a considerably stronger challenge than the North east and Sun Belt confer ences. Sarratt counteracted the step-up in competition by improving his body this summer, trimming fried foods from his diet.

Through three confer ence games, Sarratt has shown no signs of struggle. In victories over UCLA, Maryland and Northwest ern, he’s caught a combined 18 passes for 317 yards and one touchdown.

Fueled in part by Sarratt, Indiana is undefeated and ranked No. 16 nationally. The Hoosiers (6-0) host Ne braska (5-1) at noon Oct. 19 inside a sold-out Memorial Stadium, where the Fox Big Noon Kickoff crew will host its pregame show.

Yet no matter how much attention Indiana receives, nothing changes for Sarratt — when sixth-year senior quarterback Kurtis Rourke drops back to throw, “Waffle House” will have its doors open.

COLUMN: Hoosiers need to keep it simple against Nebraska

By Jhett Garrett jhgarr@iu.edu | @jhettgarrett

Homecoming weekend is one of the most anticipated times of the year for Indiana students. While football has a home game each year, there hasn’t been a contest with excitement around it like this one in recent memory.

Rat poison has been something that Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti has carried with him from his days at the University of Alabama, a term used to describe the outside noise. With his team now 6-0 and an opportunity at victory over the Cornhuskers in a marquee matchup, the chance of that poison spreading grows.

This year, Nebraska comes into Bloomington with a 5-1 record as Indiana comes off its bye week. The Hoosiers entered the off week at 6-0, their best start since 1967. With two weeks to prepare for the game, the work didn’t stop for the sold-out matchup.

“It’s balls to the wall all the time,” Cignetti said Oct. 14 when talking about coming off the bye week. “You’re getting better or getting worse, never staying the same.”

The Cornhuskers are led by freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola. The highest ranked quarterback in the 2024 recuriting class is performing at a high level despite his lack of experience. The Buford, Georgia, native has thrown for 1,358 yards, nine touchdowns and just three interceptions. Raiola will by far be the Indiana secondary’s toughest test so far this season.

“He’s a really talented guy who’s got great arm talent,” Cignetti said. “I think they’ve done a tremendous job with him.” Indiana and Nebraska are two similar teams, especially on the defensive side of the ball. While the Hoosiers have one of the best defensive lines in the Big Ten,

Nebraska’s may just be the best. The Cornhuskers lead the conference in sacks and tackles for loss with 20 and 42, respectively, just one ahead of Indiana in both categories.

The duo of senior Ty Robinson and sophomore James Williams have combined for eight sacks and 10 TFLs on the year, which will prove to be a tough challenge for Indiana’s offensive line.

The Hoosiers are going to need a big day out of their pair of running backs between fifth-year senior Justice Ellison and seventh-year senior Ty Son Lawton.

The duo has been one of the best in the Big Ten through six games. Their combined 13 touchdowns are more than 14 other Big Ten teams have total, propelling the Hoosiers to the conference lead with 23. Averaging 200.3 yards per game on the ground as a team, offensive coordinator Mike Shannahan should look to try to establish the running game in the early going.

However, the Cornhuskers rank third in the conference in rushing yards allowed per game with 84.2, which has them right behind Michigan and Indiana. In its meeting with Rutgers last week, Nebraska allowed just 78 yards on 19 carries from senior Kyle Monangai who has been one of the best running backs in the Big Ten this season. Should it be a slow day running the football, Indiana remains the top team in the Big Ten when it comes to passing yards per game with 315.3. This production comes behind arguably the best quarterback in the conference in sixth-year senior Kurtis Rourke, who has been great for Indiana all season long. He ranks first in the conference in touchdowns (14), first in yards per attempt (10.9) and has the highest quarterback rating in the Big Ten (192.1). These numbers have not

been achieved on his own.

The Indiana receiving room has been terrific for Rourke, combining for the secondmost receiving touchdowns in the Big Ten. Junior receiver Elijah Sarratt has been the best of the group, leading the team in receptions (29) and yards (513). It’s an area where the Hoosiers could pick the Nebraska defense apart as it will be the best receiving room the Huskers have seen this season.

In the second game of Nebraska’s season, it allowed University of Colorado receiver Travis Hunter to catch 10 passes for 110 yards. Should Sarratt be held at bay, there are proven players in the receiving room, and it’ll be hard for the Cornhuskers to stop them all.

Sophomore Omar Cooper Jr. has been the number two receiver for the Hoosiers this season with 375 yards and three touchdowns.

“That’s something that you’re trying to design plays that have answers and can free guys up versus all the different coverages,” Cignetti said. “Then it comes down to execution.”

They’ve executed the game plan well with seniors Ke’Shawn Williams and Myles Price, who will both be key pieces in the offense on Saturday. Williams leads Indiana receivers with four touchdowns on the season and Price is second on the team in receptions with 20.

This will be the perfect game for Price to find himself in the end zone for the first time this season.

The game plan is simple: keep it simple. Keep Raiola at bay, continue to dominate up front and get your playmakers the football in space. It will be a sold-out crowd in the biggest game of the season so far for Indiana. Should the Hoosiers keep the win streak going, the “rat poison” is going to get louder and louder.

BRIANA PACE | IDS Junior wide receiver Elijah Sarratt celebrates his touchdown in a game against Maryland on Sept. 28, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. Sarratt scored one scored one touchdown against the Terrapins.

JAMES RUSH | IDS

Sixth-year senior Kurtis Rourke looks to take a snap during a football game against Northwestern Oct. 5, 2024, at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium in Evanston, Illinois. Rourke transferred to Indiana from Ohio University on Dec. 14.

Hoosier Hysteria hypes up weekend festivities

By Quinn Richards qmrichar@iu.edu | @quinn_richa

Indiana men’s and women’s basketball will make their public debuts at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Friday evening during the school’s annual Hoosier Hysteria event. The night will feature full team introductions, skills competitions, special performances and an intrasquad scrimmage.

Team introductions will start at 7:30 p.m., with Indiana fans getting their first look at highly anticipated newcomers on both squads including men’s University

of Arizona transfer Omar Ballo and women’s Penn State transfer Shay Ciezki. Then, following performances from the IU Cheerleaders and the RedSteppers Dance Team, head coaches Mike Woodson and Teri Moren will briefly address the crowd detailing their expectations for the upcoming season. Indiana men’s basketball has its eyes set on a return to national prominence after missing the NCAA Tournament in an underwhelming 2023-24 campaign. The Hoosiers will feature a revamped roster with a

plethora of proven transfers and a healthy portion of veteran experience. As a result, there are lofty expectations for Woodson’s team that ranked No. 17 in the Associated Press preseason poll released Monday.

“There was a lot of work that had to be done this summer to fill out our roster,” Woodson said during IU’s basketball media day on Sept. 18. “And I thought we did a pretty good job of putting a roster together.”

On the flip side, Moren’s squad will have to recover from losing Indiana women’s basketball all-time

leading scorer Mackenzie Holmes. While Holmes’ name will be announced during team introductions, it will be as the newest member of the coaching staff, not as a player.

Last season, Indiana women’s basketball lost 7975 in heartbreaking fashion to the eventual national champion University of South Carolina in the Sweet 16. With the graduation of leading scorers Holmes and guard Sara Scalia, the Hoosiers will lean on an entourage of upperclassmen with hopes of earning a sixth consecutive bid to the NCAA

Tournament.

After Woodson and Moren speak, the players will take the court in front of fans for the first time in the 2024-25 season with a variety of competitions. Although the specific events for this year’s Hoosier Hysteria haven’t been announced, past challenges include a 3-point contest, a general skills showcase and a dunk contest.

The event will conclude with two quarters of an intrasquad scrimmage, a component of Hoosier Hysteria that was absent last year.

Riding the coattails of

a homecoming headlined by an undefeated Indiana football program, the two Hoosier basketball programs hope to energize students and alumni with regular season play looming in early November. Hoosier Hysteria will be emceed by IU alum and current Bally Sports Florida reporter Tricia Whitaker. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

Fans hold up signs Feb. 11, 2024, against Purdue University in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington. Hoosier Hysteria will be the first event of the basketball season.