Few people have seen more Indiana football than Don Fischer.
He took over as the radio play-by-play voice for the program in 1973. He’s seen several coaches, stars, would-be saviors and, yes, losses during the past several decades. He’s also seen the rise to prominence under head coach Curt Cignetti, calling the Hoosiers’ National Championship Game win over Miami this past winter.
So, when he heard booing heading into halftime of this past Saturday’s homecoming matchup against Minnesota, he was aghast.
He provided his perspective in an interview with the Heartland Sports Network.
“If anybody is booing this football program right now in the stands at Memorial Stadium these days, they should give up their tickets,” Fischer said. “Sell them. Go someplace else and watch football because you don’t know what you’re seeing.”
If anyone knows what they’re seeing, as previously mentioned, it’s Fischer. He went on, adding that the past two seasons have been the greatest in program history while defending quarterback Josh Hoover, whose play has drawn scrutiny as he recovers from an arm injury, and kicker Nico Radicic, who’s had some uncharacteristic misses as of late.
“You would boo a kid that’s hurt and playing hurt out there? Then you would boo your kicker, who has been tremendous for three and a half years now and, obviously he’s having a tough time this year a little bit because he’s had mistakes that he’s made, and you’re booing him? And then you’re booing the head coach because you thought a timeout should’ve been taken late in the ballgame?”
Fischer, of course, raises several valid points. Booing college athletes, kids playing a sport, is incredibly lame. Hoover in particular, who’s shown his toughness countless times this season.
Booing makes bad situations worse, fomenting negative environments. We’ve seen enough of that at Assembly Hall over the years, with players speaking out about the treatment they receive from fans. That doesn’t need to exist there, let alone extend across the parking lot to Memorial Stadium.
Watch Fischer’s full interview with Heartland Sports Network here.
Join the conversation!
Sign up for a user account and get:
- Improved notifications system!
- Fewer ads
- Create community posts
- Comment on articles, community posts
- Rec comments, community posts
Download the SB Nation app on iOS or Android.
