I've been exchanging Facebook messages with "Take Back Assembly Hall" director Brian Bulgatz, organizer of the "Stripe Out." He said he had a meeting with an assistant athletics director regarding the "Stripe Out" vs. the "White Out." The two sides have reached a compromise. Here is part of Bulgatz's message:
"The Result of the Meeting: The compromise that we agreed upon was that we would comply with having a "White-Out" out for the Kentucky Game. IN RETURN....because we are adjusting our strategy after putting so much man power into this effort, they will help us promote a stripe-out for the Purdue/Iowa game in Assembly Hall by using advertising time during the game as well as utilizing the season ticket holder email account. ALSO, they will provide us with the appropriate resources to market future TBAH events and will remain open to any suggestions we have to improve the student section situation. ... Also, it is fair to argue that having a consistence theme to create a home court advantage is more important than the success of the stripe-out for the UK game. We do not want to compromise the Assembly Hall atmosphere by pursuing an uphill battle against the athletic administration."
So, there it is. If you're heading to the game, all parties involved want you to wear white.
Bulgatz did want to stress that he did not believe that TBAH was caving in to the athletics department.
"Lessons to Take Away: This was a HUGE success for TBAH! While it may appear that our reputation is tainted by the fact that the "Stripe-Out" will not be Implemented...we have made our presence heard within the administration and the university. ... TBAH will still have its presence felt at Saturday's game however by providing cheer sheets for students during the game (Don't forget to email us if you have any good ideas). We are pleased with the progress and the opportunity to implement more extravagant and creative themes by having the access to athletic department resources. And yes...we reinforced the point several times to them that the "White-Out" concept is overused and has lost its touch. Indiana needs to create its own traditions...not mimic the lackluster strategies used at other schools with fewer championship banners. They provided us with information about tactics which have been tempted before...and we opened their eyes that the students do give a damn that we have the largest student section when half of our seats are in the balcony."
So, conflict averted, at least for now. Let's just see if everyone can wear white. The last time there was an official white out was when IU played UConn in 2006 (though the athletics department says it was the IU-Duke game in 2005). I do remember the UConn white out being far less successful than the Duke white out.
