Crean deserves four more years more than Obama

About four years ago, two men took on two difficult jobs. Each of them was chosen to rebuild a great institution.

Each faced difficult and unprecedented challenges. Tom Crean was hired as the IU men’s basketball coach, and Barack Obama was elected as president.

Since then, Crean has resurrected IU from ashes, while Obama seems to be lagging behind in his performance.

The Economy

During the past four years, Crean’s leadership has led a resurgence of fans back into Assembly Hall, selling out game after game. Students are lining up to spend their precious little cash on tickets. Nick’s, Kilroy’s and Sports have become more and more crowded on game nights year after year.

And, as most students know, as IU basketball rises, so do liquor and food sales. During four years of Obama, our unemployment rate has risen about half a percentage point, not good enough to match Crean’s effect on the Hoosier economy.

The Deficit

Crean’s teams lost the following number of games in the past three years: 25, 21 and 20. That deficit is now a surplus!

Twenty-seven victories versus nine deficits this year and memories such as victories against Kentucky and Ohio State, as well as an appearance in the Sweet 16, have created a surplus of enthusiasm and pride.

Twenty-five losses in 2009 versus nine losses this year is a 62-percent reduction in the Hoosier deficit.

Beat those numbers, Obama! In 2009, the U.S. deficit was about $10 trillion. As of March 28, it was $15,593,010,330,151.55.

Crean’s leadership has stabilized the Hoosiers into a cohesive “party,” as he knows how to sacrifice and compromise for the good of the Hoosier Nation.

Hoosier Health Care

Crean has implemented a Hoosier fan health care program — winning — which has been known to cure frustration, anger, madness, hindsight and player drug abuse.

Obamacare continues to be debated and reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court for constitutional validity.

Department of Defense

Adding to the core of Cody Zeller, Christian Watford, Will Sheehey, Victor Oladipo, Jordan Hulls and Maurice Creek, Crean is bringing in a top 10 recruiting class, “The Movement.” Crean is reloading to keep attacking the goal of adding a sixth banner to Assembly Hall. 

Meanwhile, Obama is trying to determine a purpose for our troops without demoralizing their spirit and our nation.

The State of the Union

Following Friday’s loss to Kentucky, Crean said, “The Indiana men — and quote me, the Indiana men, these mighty men — they gave it all. They left it all on that court. I’m proud of what we did. We don’t take the moral victory in any sense, but when you give every ounce of fight you have, you can move forward.”

What did Obama say in his recent State of the Union? Most people probably don’t know. To Crean and his team, thank you for leading this Hoosier nation back to victory.

I can’t wait until next year! You can stay as long as you like.

­— wfgryna@indiana.edu