Top 5 reasons to attend the Hoosiers' opener

The IU football team is set to begin its 2009 campaign today at Memorial Stadium, and Athletics Director Fred Glass wants nothing more than to see his stadium filled in his first game as AD.  

Normally, the product on the field, is not enough to drag fans from the tailgate fields or the comfort of their own couches.

This year, there are actually a number of reasons to put the body paint on and hang out with 52,000 of your closest friends.  



5. Pack the new “Rock”

Tonight, fans will get their first look at the stadium’s brand new segment behind the North End Zone.

But who wants to see a bunch of empty seats?

In last year’s home opener against Western Kentucky, 30,067 seats were filled – only about 63 percent of the stadium’s maximum capacity at the time.  

This year, the new horseshoe design screams for a great game atmosphere – but only if butts are in the seats.  


4. New sheriff in town


Entering the new season, fans still seem a bit shell-shocked by the dismissal of former quarterback Kellen Lewis.  

His former backup, Bloomington native Ben Chappell, finally has complete control of his hometown team, and it’s time for people to jump on his bandwagon.

He only threw four touchdowns all last year, but with the knowledge and experience he gained in camp, he could meet that mark through one game.  


3. The Band-Aids are off


Last season, the Hoosiers saw their team fall apart to injuries in almost every position.  
Safeties Austin Thomas,     Jerimy Finch and Nick Polk missed a combined total of 17 games.
On offense, sophomore wide receiver Tandon Doss missed four games and senior running back Bryan Payton missed the final three games of the year.
Not to mention the catastrophic implosion on the offensive line.
This year, the big names you missed last year are back, and the last time they were out there together, they went to the Insight Bowl.  


2. It’s cheaper than a party


The old saying around the tailgate field is that partying is much more fun than an IU football game.

In these economic times, is it really the best idea to hit the nightlife scene instead of jumping around the bleachers with your frat brothers?  

This year, student tickets are $5. Compare that to the $6 it will cost you to buy just one pitcher of Bud Light at Nick’s on a Thursday, and you have yourself a no-brainer.  

You can also bring your friends from other schools into the student section this year for the same price.  

And, as always, the bars will still be open for business once you leave.  


1. Not your daddy’s game day


From “Kicks for Keeps” to the red-light specials, Glass has put nearly all of his effort in his short tenure to enhance the game day experience at Memorial Stadium.

The well-documented changes will take place for the first time tonight, and I am envious of the people who will be in the stands as I watch from my bird’s-eye view on top of “The Rock.”  

Glass has stressed that he wants people to treat each football game like Little 500, which has to grab the attention of every IU student.

It’s up to the upperclassmen to lead the younger students on a new rampage to the new Memorial Stadium.

Just make sure you cross 17th Street.

Ryan's Prediction: IU 34 - EKU 14