It was a courageous and appreciated decision the IU Foundation made to return alumni coaches to the pit on race day. And we cannot allow this opportunity for mutual cooperation to slip away. There has been an incredible level of passionate commentary from both sides, most of it unproductive and contrary to the spirit of this event. It characterized the passion the Little 500 instills in many of us. However, now it is everyone’s duty to move in a positive direction. The goal is for all involved to recognize, understand, appreciate and, most of all, respect the contributions of the IUF, the IU Student Foundation, the alumni, the riders and the IUSF membership. All are critical components, indispensable in maintaining the Little 500’s unparalleled record of successes.\nMany lessons can be learned here. The most important one is that along with authority comes responsibility. This is an imperative for alumni coaches. Their responsibility does not lie solely with their team; they have a fundamental responsibility to the Little 500 too. Their influence and actions have a profound impact on the image of the race, IUSF, IUF and IU. And this impact must be constructive. A bad coach undermines the positive efforts of the other coaches, and they must be willing to stand and police their group with the same dedication employed when directing their teams. This is the way the rider community functioned for many years and, in some aspects, does today. Peer pressure is a powerful force and can work wonders to ensure those who do not have the best interest of the Little 500 are directed back “on course.”\nI firmly believe this vision can be achieved. It will take a special group of people who are willing to listen to alternative viewpoints, separate themselves from individual loyalties and from personal agendas, to positively shape the future of the event; something I learned from Bill Armstrong many years ago that holds true today. The best way to move forward is to unify the Little 500 community and if realized, the future of the Little 500 will indeed be bright.
Tom Schwoegler\nFormer Little 500 coach
