Sampson shirts are a little scary

I love Kelvin Sampson. You love Kelvin Sampson. I'll bet even Bruce Weber loves Kelvin Sampson (even though we'll never hear him say it in public). \nAnd why not? Sampson has IU winning again, has replaced a lackadaisical Mike Davis with intensity worthy of the Big Ten and is fighting for an IU student section. What's not to love? And so we've expressed our love in the only way we know how here at IU: T-shirts!\nAbout 400 Hoosiers fans donned T-shirts resembling the game attire of the head coach during the Hoosiers' 65-61 win against Illinois on Saturday, supporting the man who has thus far led the team to a 17-6 record and third place in the Big Ten. The phenomenon was even mentioned during CBS's game coverage. \nAt first glance, these shirts seem like a great way to support the new guy, who many were skeptical of at his hiring. Even I was taken in by the novelty at first. The blue threads, the red silk -- I could barely contain myself. I was even to the point of pulling the bills from my wallet to purchase one (along with a poster board on which to write "We got Eric Gordon! Ha ha ha!"). \nBut then a sense of foreboding and danger hit me.\nIf someone from Oregon is asked what colors the Indiana Hoosiers represent he or she would probably say, "What's a Hoosier?" But after that, that person would reply that the colors are "red and white" or the more educated sports fan would say, "cream and crimson." \nLadies and gentlemen, I bleed crimson. I can prove it. Cut me. And when you do, you'll realize that I do not bleed blue. I do not go to Kentucky, Duke or Memphis (all of which have lying fans that say they bleed blue). And we should all be wary that we might be confused for such fans if we continue to wear these shirts and more IU basketball fans pick up the trend.\nI'm all about support for our new coach. But at sacrifice of my crimson sweat shirt and white face paint? I don't think so. The program is on the way back up into competition for Big Ten and national titles. We have a tradition to think of here, sports fans. And that tradition is the color of blood, not the sky. Continued pursuit of the red tie with blue shirt get-up will only lead to tears.\nI won't advocate that coach Sampson change his attire. If it works for him and the team is winning, I say let it ride (at least until we stop winning). If wearing the same outfit every game means winning come March, I'm in (though one of few compliments I can give Mike Davis is on that nice red sweater vest). But if things start to slide in the next few weeks against the likes of Purdue, Northwestern and Penn State, I might buy coach Sampson a nice crimson sports coat. \nOr maybe he can place a phone call down to Birmingham and ask Mike Davis to borrow one of those snazzy sweater vests.