From Bloomington to the Big Stages
Local IU Hoosiers fans packed their bags and went bowling, traveling to the Rose Bowl and the Peach Bowl to cheer on the Indiana University Hoosiers Football team in what has become an unprecedented season for the program.
For longtime fans, these were more than just road trips — they were a chance to witness history in the making as the Hoosiers reached stages few ever imagined. Adding an even deeper connection are recent CG Trojan Football players, Tyler Cherry and Kaden McConnell, representing ‘the Grove’ on the IU Hoosier Football team.
From Pasadena to Atlanta, local supporters proudly wore cream and crimson, eager to be part of a moment that will be remembered as nothing short of historic for Hoosier football.
“Standing shoulder to shoulder with a sea of crimson at the 2026 Peach Bowl, I felt history being written in real time. Everywhere I looked were IU fans who had waited a lifetime for this moment – strangers who felt like family, all of us bound by a season no one will ever forget. The roar of Cream and Crimson carried through the stadium, not just for a game, but for everything this team had overcome. In that electric crowd, watching Indiana Football rise on one of college football’s biggest stages, I realized I wasn’t just witnessing a bowl game – I was living a piece of IU history that will stay with me forever.” — Katie Schwarz
“It was an amazing experience. Indiana took over Atlanta for three days. It was a sea of red everywhere we went. Crowd was insane. The stadium literally rocking. You could feel it at times. If I hadn’t known better, I would’ve thought it was an earthquake.” — Jamie Hays
“Being an IU Football fan at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta was surreal and unforgettable. Surrounded by a sea of red from all over the country felt like a true home game for Hoosier Nation.” — Michael Hewitt
“Attending the Peach Bowl in Atlanta to watch Indiana University take on Oregon was truly one of the most unforgettable experiences my husband and I have ever had. With four of our children, along with a daughter-in-law and son-in-law, all proud IU alumni, having the opportunity to represent our family’s deep IU roots made the moment even more meaningful. The atmosphere inside the stadium was electric. Seeing the stands filled with what felt like 90% IU fans, an ocean of red, created an energy that is hard to put into words. We’ve attended countless tailgates and events over the years in support of IU, but this experience was on an entirely different level. The excitement, the unity, and the pride shared by everyone there made it a once-in-a-lifetime moment that we will cherish forever.” — Tami Lakes
