Traditions and Spirit of IU energizes, educates

The excitement in the crowd is tangible. It feels as if Kellen Lewis just broke away for a touchdown. It feels as if D.J. White just threw someone’s shot into the stands. It feels like the pent-up energy of a few thousand freshmen, and we’re not even inside Assembly Hall yet.

Traditions and Spirit of IU, a Welcome Week event geared at educating and energizing the freshman class, took place at 4:30 p.m. Friday afternoon in Assembly Hall.

Students sat with members of their residence halls while event staff led cheers and chants. Once inside, students were treated to indoor fireworks and a welcoming video.

Next came the speakers, in a “who’s who” of IU athletics.

IU football coach Bill Lynch and Assistant Athletic Director Chuck Crabb both kept the energy level high, but women’s basketball coach Felisha Legette-Jack brought the house down with a stirring speech on IU tradition and the potential of the freshman class.

“The people before us have done some great things,” Legette-Jack said. “But I know you’ll do even greater things.”

After each residence hall was recognized individually, the event’s last guest coach was introduced. IU men’s basketball coach Tom Crean took the floor to tumultuous applause, and he didn’t hold back when describing the intense atmosphere.

“For the past four months I’ve been hearing about the Hoosier Nation,” Crean said. “But I have never seen anything like this today.”

After introducing his team to the crowd, Crean yielded center stage to the Marching Hundred, who performed IU standards “Indiana, Our Indiana” and “Indiana Fight.” 

Students were then taught all the chants and cheers necessary for being a Hoosier, as well as the words to “Indiana, Our Indiana.”

In general, students were pumped, psyched and hyped to be Hoosiers after this event, including freshman Kurt Skaggs.

“There was a lot of energy in that arena,” Skaggs said. “Everybody was having a good time.”

IU student Amanda Mast didn’t attend the event last year, but decided this year would be different.

“It was intense,” Mast said, adding she hadn’t learned any of the cheers after not attending any games last year. “It was cool being able to learn
everything and have everyone do it together.”

“I liked seeing Tom Crean,” said freshman Devin Kitterman. “I’m really excited for him and all the sports teams this year.”

But Kitterman is already planning on demonstrating his commitment to IU football.

“Oh yeah,” Kitterman said. “I’ve already got season tickets.”