Seniors don’t deserve recent digression

It’s been one heck of a roller-coaster ride for the IU football team’s senior class.
Over their collegiate careers, the players have experienced the loops, turns and drops caused by college football.

But, unlike IU, some teams out there haven’t had the tribulations.

Others don’t know the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat quite like IU’s seniors do.
Unfortunately for the Hoosiers, the latter has occurred too frequently.

In total, there are 14 players who will call 2008 the end of their college playing days due to eligibility.

Some are seniors. Some are fifth-year seniors because of the redshirt process. Some of those veterans’ names might be familiar, others might escape your mind.

You’ve definitely seen kicker Austin Starr, running back Marcus Thigpen and cornerback Chris Phillips grind it out on the gridiron.

But on the other hand, I’ll bet you’ve probably rarely spotted offensive lineman Kenny Love, linebacker Jerry Williams and defensive lineman Arik Wolf on Saturdays.

But no matter if they’ve battled for each and every down or have rode the bench for every 60-minute contest, they all have one thing in common – they’re seniors.

They’ve committed to the Hoosiers’ football program for at least four years. They’ve been role models to younger players. Moreover, they’ve proven they have the devotion one must have to his team.

Some of the senior class came to Bloomington when former coach Gerry Dinardo ruled the sidelines. The Hoosiers only tallied three wins in 2004, and after the season, Dinardo was dismissed.

Then as sophomores, they had their second coach in only two years.

But what they didn’t realize at first was this new coach’s desire to rebuild the program and clean up the remnants. The incoming freshmen, who are now seniors, were just as lucky to have him as a mentor.

His name was Terry Hoeppner.

Hoeppner might have posted a 9-14 record while at IU, but his accomplishments off the field will be remembered more than his team’s lackluster play.

Even though Hoeppner died before reaching his ultimate goal – a bowl game – he set the program in the right direction. Because of Hoeppner, an aura of excitement began to grow around IU football.

Bill Lynch was named head coach in 2007 and he, along with these seniors, carried out his predecessor’s dream to the fullest, capturing IU’s first bowl bid since 1993.
Despite losing the 13th game, they shocked not only their conference foes but the nation as well.

Three different coaches in a span of five years – that’s not an adequate period for adjustments. But they adapted. Despite the poor records, the Hoosier veterans were there every step of the way.

You have to feel for IU’s senior class. You really do.

Winning has been seldom. Losing has been commonplace.

But with all the scrutiny they’ve endured throughout their careers, they don’t deserve to go out on a lousy note in 2008.

They’re currently tied up in a three-game losing streak, and the rest of the season isn’t looking so turn-free.

But, like they’ve done in their careers so far, they have to ride the loop out.