Why I'm Cheering for IU Football This Season
Growing up in Indiana, I was probably the only person that didn’t watch or support the Indiana Hoosiers. I think it was mostly from how the fan weather was. It was always Notre Dame football and IU basketball. Nobody supported one school and all of their athletic teams. I never got the gist of it. After not caring for so long, I began following them my senior year of high school. Right when J-Shun Harris began his collegiate football career.
I became friends with J-Shun my sophomore year at Fishers High School. Yes, we are both 5’8″. He was the highly ranked prospect, and I was his water boy. He was seen as Darren Sproles, I was nicknamed Radio by the team. If you have seen Radio staring Cuba Gooding Jr, you know what I mean. J-Shun was the most electrifying athlete to come out of Fishers. He was a part of the 2010 state championship team his freshman year, qualified in state during his track and field days, and eventually received an offer to play division 1 football.
J-Shun was originally committed to play at Ball State University, but decommitted to play for the Hoosiers. He did not start his freshman year, but still put up some numbers. In 12 games, he had a total of 18 catches, 168 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Even though those stats seem poor, I was very proud of him. His off the field personality and work ethic was very motivating. He is the type of person to give you his last leg to walk with. Unfortunately, he has done that 3 times.
In the summer going into this sophomore season, J-Shun tore his ACL. He would miss the season and red shirt his 2nd year. He was determined to get back on the field the following season.
The bad luck didn’t stop, as J-Shun tore his other ACL for the 2nd time before the season started. You would think this would be the end of his career, but it wasnt. It was only the begining.
Coming off a 2nd torn ACL, J-Shun returned a punt 70 yards all the way to the house against Georgia Southern. Talk about a remarkable comeback. He would also take a 44 yard punt return to the house against Virgina a few weeks earlier. Not a bad way to recover from 2 long term injuries. Like I said, his football career wasn’t over just yet. Neither was his bad luck.
Just a month after his punt return against Georgia Southern, J-Shun tore his ACL for the THIRD time.
It is now J-Shun’s 5th and final season at IU. He is in good condition and is expected to be active(knock on wood) against FIU Saturday at 7pm. Tevin Coleman, Jordan Howard, Cody Latimer are just a few players who came from IU and have made a name in the NFL. Seeing J-Shun in that category would be extraordinary. If you’re not sold on supporting IU this year, theres one more story to share.
Matt Stauder is a senior studying sports management and marketing. He is also an equipment manager for the Indiana Hoosiers. Matt lost his father to a heart attack almost exactly a year ago. The one year anniversary will be tomorrow against FIU. More heartbreaking news came along, as Matt was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma back in April. Since then, running back Ricky Brookins created a GoFundMe that has almost $27,000 in donations to pay for his medical costs. If you would like to donate, the link is provided above.
I have never met Matt, but I support and love equipment managers. They are the backbone of sports teams and do all the behind the scenes operations. Matt is expected to travel to FIU for the game tomorrow as well. Words can’t explain what he has been through, but having him football family around him for a weekend must be heartwarming to say the least.
This is why I am cheering for IU this year. It’s more than just a game. I wish the team good luck, J-Shun good luck, but most importantly, I wish Matt Stauder to keep kicking cancer’s ass. I am confident in saying that anyone who is reading this are fully supporting you Matt. Go Hoosiers.