For Glass, football's success is about more than winning games and going to bowls.
"(Football) drives everything else," Glass said. "The reason IU is last in the Big Ten in terms of how much money we have to spend per sport is because we don't fill Memorial Stadium. Getting football right is not only important for football's sake but it's important for the entire department."
Glass also spoke about several other changes to Memorial Stadium in order to draw fans and recruits, including a new state-of-the-art sound system, repainting the stadium, the creation of a fan zone on the field level to be known as Knothole Park and, of course, the North End Zone Project, which is on time and will be dedicated on Oct. 3.
Students looking to experience these changes will not have to dig deep into their pockets. Like several basketball games during the last season, IU football game tickets for students will be $5, with another plan to allow friends of students from other universities to reap the benefits of the program, as well, with a student ID.
Glass said he hopes to create "a college atmosphere" similar to the Little 500 at the games. The draw for Greeks, dorms and other student organizations, he said, will be the new environment and the inviting nature of the stadium and staff at The Rock.
More updates to come soon. Purdue coach Danny Hope is speaking at 11:15 CST, so we'll be there to ask about the rivalry.
