IU athletes discuss mentors, heroes

Most college students look up to the athletes that represent their school.

But even those players have people they look up to on a daily basis for support and inspiration.

Indiana’s starting quarterback, junior Ben Chappell, gets his motivation from two of the game’s greats in Brett Favre and Peyton Manning. 

“Favre has been my idol since about fifth grade when I started playing quarterback,” Chappell said. “I think he is the perfect football player, the way he goes up there with his teammates every Sunday and competes. I just love the way he plays the game.”

Chappell’s leadership has jump-started the Hoosiers to a 3-0 start this season.  

Superstars and legends are not the only figures who inspire IU athletes, however. Aside from imitating Jordan’s fade-away jumpers as a kid, sophomore basketball player Verdell Jones enjoys following players he grew up with and played with as a kid.  

“I look up to Shaun Livingston from the Oklahoma City Thunder,” Jones said. “I really look up to guys that I grew up with and played. I still look up to guys like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, but now that I’m older I really look up to guys that played with me that are older than me and really made it.”

Some athletes look up to the people who impact their lives on a daily basis more than professionals. Junior volleyball player Ashley Benson said she admires her coaches.

“I look up to Coach G(ustin),” Benson said. “She played a few years back for Michigan State. She really pushes me and the rest of the middles to do our best everyday.”

Instead of sticking with their sport, IU’s athletes also follow those who do it the right way, no matter what sport they play.

Jamie Braun, a senior on IU’s women’s basketball team, looks up to legendary cyclist Lance Armstrong for the success after his battle with cancer.

Freshman basketball player Bobby Capobianco looks toward professional golfer
Tiger Woods for his precision and work ethic, but as far as mentors go, he finds them in his parents.

“I really idolize my parents, mostly,” Capobianco said. “My mom won a national championship when she was in college, and that was a goal that I always wanted to achieve. They are two of the hardest workers that I’ve ever met.”  

No matter where IU athletes find it, their inspirations help set the foundation for their programs.

“I still look up to Ken Griffey (Jr.), but obviously I look up to Albert Pujols and even some college athletes,” sophomore baseball player Alex Dickerson said. “I look up to anyone who works hard and gets the most out of their talent.”