Indiana Daily Student, Sept. 4, 2026

IDS Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026

Indiana Daily Student | idsnews.com

INSIDE

2026 Big Ten Guide

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Hoosier fans cheer and celebrate a field goal made in the second quarter of the game against Wisconsin on Nov. 15, 2025, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. The Hoosiers beat the Badgers 31-7.

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Redshirt senior quarterback Josh Hoover catches the snap during the spring game April 23, 2026, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. Hoover attempted 413 passes in the 2025 season.

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Then-redshirt junior linebacker Isaiah Jones tackles then-Penn State redshirt sophomore tight end Andrew Rappleyea during the fourth quarter of the game against Penn State on Nov. 8, 2025, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Jones had five tackles in the game.

Hoo's ready? Why Indiana football’s 2026 opener is unlike any Cignetti has experienced

By Conor Banks

conbanks@iu.edu | @Conorbanks06

Indiana football opens a 2026 season full of firsts at noon Sept. 5 against the University of North Texas. It is the first time the Hoosiers will open a campaign as the defending national champions. They begin the year as No. 6 in the nation — the program’s highest preseason ranking ever. Home tickets for the 2026 season are completely sold out for the first time since 1969. Beyond the accolades, Indiana’s season opener Sept. 5 will be unlike any head coach Curt Cignetti has been a part of. Following the departure of former head coach Eric Morris in the offseason, the Mean Green overhauled their roster. The team returns zero starters from the 2025 season and brought in 52 players through the transfer portal under new head coach Neal Brown. Nobody has ever seen this collection of players and staff on the field in a regular season game.

Brown joined North Texas after serving as the head coach at Troy University and West Virginia University from 2015-2024. He was the special assistant to the head coach at the University of Texas at Austin in 2025. The Mean Green’s defense consists of new personnel and schemes with the hiring of defensive coordinator Matt Powledge in December 2025. Powledge previously spent three seasons running Baylor University’s defense. For most Week 1 opponents, coaches can heavily rely on film from the previous season to prepare. Instead, without Mean Green roster turnover, Cignetti has had to piece together a gameplan by studying tape from multiple different programs. “On the offensive side of the ball, it’s been a lot of Baylor tape, and on the defensive side of the ball, a lot of West Virginia tape and some Texas maybe,” Cignetti said Aug. 31. The unusual preparation has made the matchup un-

like anything Cignetti, who enters his 16th season as a collegiate head coach, has experienced. “So it is different now. And have never played in a game quite like this one where there’s just so many new faces,” Cignetti said. Still, Cignetti and his staff will see a familiar face on the field. Now-North Texas fifthyear quarterback Tayven Jackson played for the Hoosiers in Cignetti’s first year with the program in 2024. Jackson made his lone start that season against Washington, passing for 124 yards and a touchdown en route to a 31-14 victory. Following the 2024 season, Jackson transferred to the University of Central Florida before moving to North Texas for 2026. The former Hoosier was announced as the Mean Green’s starting quarterback for their Week 1 game against Indiana on Aug. 26. “He’s very talented,” Cignetti said about Jackson. “He’s got a live arm. He can run. He’s a good athlete.

Started a number of games last season. So, he’s a good player.” Jackson provides Indiana with a sense of familiarity in a matchup otherwise defined by uncertainty. Indiana enters the season opener with expectations that Cignetti and the program have never faced; The Hoosiers are defending champions, ranked sixth nationally and open the season in front of a sellout crowd. Meanwhile, the opponent on the field will be difficult to prepare for in a conventional way. Yet Indiana is maintaining an approach that stuck with the program throughout fall camp. “I think our whole thing has always been keeping the main thing the main thing and controlling the controllables,” Cignetti said. “It’s all about preparing to the best of our ability.”

IDS FILE PHOTO

Then-sophomore wide receiver Charlie Becker celebrates during the College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against the University of Alabama on Jan. 1, 2026, at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. Becker was named to the 2026 football preseason honors list in July.

Fraternity Beta Chi Theta suspended over the summer By Natalia Nelson

nelsonnb@iu.edu | @natalianelsonn

Indiana University’s chapter of Beta Chi Theta was suspended June 3 for allegedly endangering others, hazing, noncompliance with university directives and interference with the university conduct process. The South Asian social fraternity’s national headquarters suspended the IU chapter after it was previous-

ly placed on cease and desist by the university for hazing in November 2025. Suspensions require organizations to stop all activities and disband. The university places organizations on cease and desist as an interim measure, preventing them from hosting and participating in social events while there is an ongoing threat or investigation. Beta Chi Theta joins five

other Greek life organizations that faced disciplinary action during 2026. This summer, seven members of Phi Kappa Psi were charged with felony hazing after being put on cease and desist in October 2025 for alleged hazing. According to court documents, during that same month, several fraternity members allegedly ordered 36 pledges to exercise for three hours during an initiation event. Two

pledges were hospitalized and diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a life-threatening disintegration of the muscles that can occur after excessive exercise and cause kidney damage. In November 2025, the university suspended 27 of its fraternities from hosting social events after several alleged hazing incidents. Fraternities in good standing were allowed to resume all activities in December 2025.

The university ordered Beta Theta Pi to suspend recruitment and new member education in January. Delta Kappa Epsilon and Sigma Alpha Mu were placed on cease and desist for alleged hazing in February and March, respectively. Phi Delta Theta was placed on IU’s interim directives list for endangering others in April and Alpha Kappa Lambda was placed on cease and desist the same month for hazing.

Delta Kappa Epsilon, Sigma Alpha Mu and Alpha Kappa Lambda are now on disciplinary probation, which means further violations of conditions set by the university could result in sanctions, suspension or expulsion. Beta Theta Pi entered a voluntary agreement with the university to resolve issues including alcohol, hazing and risk management, and IU suspended Phi Delta Theta’s social activities.

Bloomington residents unite to mourn Dolly Parton sjleathe@iu.edu

» VIGIL PHOTOS

Super-fans, curious passers-by and more gathered at 9 p.m. Aug. 29 at Indiana University's Sample Gates to light candles, shed tears and listen to the stories and songs of Dolly Parton. Several dozen attendees, young and old, were unified by their love for the late artist, who died Aug. 25, through

her music and her legacy. The vigil was spearheaded by associate instructor Danin Richardson and IU anthropology professor Sarah Phillips. Phillips has taught the course “The Anthropology of Dolly Parton” for about two years. The course is designed as an introduction to the subject of anthropology

By Steven Leatherwood

SEE GALLERY ON PAGE 8

through the lens of Parton’s life and career. Richardson said he wanted to host an event in Parton’s honor as soon as he heard the news of her death. “We made a flyer as soon as we could,” Richardson said. “We shared it as much as we could, and we knew that Sample Gates was the perfect place because it's the hub of this community.” The night kicked off with

a rendition of “Amazing Grace” played live on the bagpipes, followed by a performance by Jessica StoreyNagy, who teaches Eastern European studies in the Department of Anthropology. She sang Parton’s songs “My Tennessee Mountain Home” and “9 to 5,” accompanied by her own guitar playing.

SEE DOLLY, PAGE 5

TRINITY MACKENZIE | IDS

A Dolly Parton vigil attendee lights a tealight Aug. 29, 2026, at Sample Gates in Bloomington. Tealights were passed out to attendees without candles.

Indiana Daily Student

NEWS

Sept. 3, 2026 idsnews.com

Editors Ella Curlin, Grace Fridy & Deshna Venkatachalam news@idsnews.com

LILY SAYLOR | IDS

Alan Blankstein dances to a song by Latin Jazz quartet Palonegro on Aug. 30, 2026, at the FAR Center for Contemporary Arts in Bloomington. The performance aimed to raise money for Colombian and Venezuelan relief aid.

Local group raises earthquake relief funds By Lily Saylor saylorl@iu.edu

Latin music filled the room and attendees gathered on the dance floor as the Bloomington community shared food and support Aug. 30 at the FAR Center for Contemporary Arts to raise money for Colombian and Venezuelan relief funds. The event was co-created by Daniela Cook, who was born in Venezuela. While she and her family moved to Bloomington when she was 9 years old, much of her family still lives there, and she has stayed in touch with her Venezuelan roots. So, on June 24, when a pair of earthquakes hit northern Venezuela and killed over 6,000 people, Cook and her sister, Silvia Panigada, were distraught. The sisters connected with another Venezuelan friend living in Bloomington, Noraedén Mora Méndez, and the three of them created Bloomington Ayuda, an Instagram account dedicated to raising funds and

awareness. Soon after, on Aug. 10, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia. While the two earthquakes were unrelated, both neighboring countries are experiencing the aftermath of the devastation, with thousands dead and infrastructures flattened. With homes and schools damaged, Colombians and Venezuelans are struggling to find shelter and stability. On Aug. 30, the three women of Bloomington Ayuda worked with Sergio Ospina-Romero, director and pianist of Bloomingtonbased music groups Palonegro and La Salsoteca, to hold a fundraising event at the FAR Center. According to the GoFundMe, the funds will be distributed to grassroots organizations in El Chocó, Colombia, and La Guaira, Venezuela, such as TRANS AFAB Venezuela, and family and friends volunteering on the ground. The funds will also be allocated to hospitals, rescue sites,

shelters and more. “Through the page actually, we’ve been able to connect people who are on the ground in Venezuela, which is really cool,” Cook, FAR Center creative director, said. She explained how one of Méndez’s friends and Cook’s cousins had been doing deliveries and driving goods like medical supplies around, and through the Instagram page, they were able to connect and support each other. “People have sort of stepped up and taken a break from their professions and day to day to really, like, lean into community and mutual aid,” Cook said. At the event, a $10 donation was suggested, but entry was free and open to all. In total, the event raised $3,483. Cook said while raising funds is one of her main goals, creating solidarity and awareness is important as well. She said even if one can’t give much back financially, gathering community still means a lot to her.

The event featured six performances from Indianapolis and Bloomingtonbased musicians, including Mariachi Aires de la Solidaridad and La Salsoteca. Around 100 attended, and people of all ages grooved to the music, some taking to the dance floor. After each performance, attendees erupted into applause. A buffet-style menu was also available. While the food was free, there was an $8 suggested donation that also went to the cause. Food options included rice and beef dishes from Social Cantina, arepas and desserts. Emma Alvarez de la Rosa, an IU doctoral student studying ethnomusicology, attended the event after learning that her friends, who are a part of La Salsoteca, and her professor, music lecturer Andy Miller, would be performing. “I’m very happy that things like this are going on in Bloomington,” she said. “It’s really important to use music and community to

help around, and I just hope that things like this keep happening. I’m very happy to be here.” Bloomington resident Luke Kwiatkowski said he attended to enjoy the music and dancing at the event. He began learning how to dance earlier this year and said there is a decent Latin dance community in Bloomington. “To anyone experiencing something traumatic right now, I mean, my heart goes out to them,” he said. “I know there’s a lot of stuff that’s happening in the world right now, and I hope they can get help and support.” When the news of the earthquakes broke, Cook said the three women struggled, but that being together helped. “We were really, really distraught, and it was hard to just go about daily life and have nobody know what was going on, or really understand,” Cook said. “It felt a little isolating, so I think it’s nice to create an event where people can share that com-

mon sort of mourning.” Cook said minority groups of African descent in Colombia and Venezuela are experiencing the worst of the aftermath, due to a lack of resources. Venezuelans were already dealing with electrical outages and a shortage of food and water daily, even before the earthquakes, she said. She is encouraging both herself and others to continue to show support because the issues in Colombia and Venezuelan are ongoing, and the journey to rebuilding will be long, she said. “We’ve had a lot of beautiful conversations and just interactions by reaching out to people, families, individuals, who are sharing their stories, who are super grateful and super, like, uplifting,” Cook said. “So, I think it’s encouraging to see that people have a lot of hope and a lot of faith and a lot of, like, gusto to keep going.” For more information, visit Bloomington Ayuda’s Instagram page or GoFundMe.

New IU Hillel executive director comes to campus By Natalie Chan nkchan@iu.edu

Ben Davis plans to strengthen student involvement at Indiana University Hillel after becoming its executive director Aug. 15. His commitments include overseeing its operations, developing the organization’s administrative strategies, sustaining financial viability and supporting Jewish life on campus. Davis succeeded Jeff Linkon, who stepped down in June 2026 after serving as executive director since September 2024. Davis was formerly the executive director of the Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley, a nonprofit organization that fosters Jewish culture through cultural

and religious get-togethers, social services and educational programs. The federation spans communities from southwestern Michigan to South Bend, Indiana. Additionally, he brings more than 30 years of experience working as a Jewish community leader, during which he headed several Jewish community centers and recreational summer camps in the Midwest. Davis said he identifies as Ashkenazi Jewish, and he was deeply involved with Jewish culture growing up as first-generation American. IU is the first university Davis has worked with, and he said he was “particularly attracted” to the opportunity because his daughter is a junior at IU and his wife is a longtime alumna of IU

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Hillel. “I was looking for a change to work with more young adults, and it seemed like a perfect match,” he said. While working at recreational summer camps, Davis said one of the aspects he loved most was the ability to work with college-aged staff and see them develop into professionals. “They’re the ones that are going to shape the world,” he said. “All the students here at IU, regardless of their religion, are the future leaders.” As executive director, Davis said one of his responsibilities is ensuring the entire staff remains committed to Hillel’s mission of welcoming every Jewish person on campus, regardless of how they identify. “We are here to support and make sure that both their mental health, their physical health, or whatever they need — that we are here for them to feel like a safe place for the Jewish students,” Davis said. Davis said he is also in charge of the organization’s financial operations and fundraising, which he directs with the goals set by the student executive board in mind. IU Hillel’s student executive board is composed of six students, who help coordinate initiatives for the organization. Davis said the students brainstorm events, while he works with donors to fund their ideas.

MANASVI DOSHI | IDS

Indiana University Hillel is pictured Aug. 29, 2026, in Bloomington. The building opened in 1993.

Daniella Mandel, a senior who has been involved with IU Hillel since freshman year, serves as IU Hillel co-president alongside senior Mack Lapp. Mandel said Judaism has been a large part of her life for as long as she can remember, and she was drawn to IU Hillel primarily because she connected with members of the organization. “It has constantly been a community I could always turn to in times of sadness and happiness,” she said. “I have loved watching it grow into more people and different types of people.” One of the student executive board’s main goals is increasing their outreach to more people and other cultural organizations on cam-

pus, Mandel said. She said she is also in the process of planning events, such as the annual Hanukkah celebration. Davis said Hillel plans to reach out to multiple groups on campus, such as the LGBTQ+ Culture Center. “There is estimated about 4,500 Jewish students at IU, and we currently only see, you know, 400 to 500 of them come through our doors,” he said. “We want to just make sure everyone knows that if you identify as Jewish, we’re here for you.” Although Mandel said she believes it is too early to gauge Davis’ impact on Hillel, she said the behindthe-scenes operations and financial management of the organization have become more organized during his

time as director. One characteristic Mandel pointed out is how outgoing Davis is. She noted that he mentions “his door is always open” to students and staff members. For Davis, building a strong relationship with the university and its organizations is of high importance. “We want to make IU one of the best schools in the world,” he said. “We already think it is, but we want to make sure we always are.” Natalie Chan covers issues of diversity for the Indiana Daily Student. Her work is supported by a donation to IDS Black Voices, a fund fostering coverage of and perspectives from Black and other historically underrepresented communities.

Sept. 3, 2026 | Indiana Daily Student | idsnews.com

Summer IU news students should know a negative reaction to the change, and some expressed their opinions on social media. “...The most flawed system humanly possible. Why as someone who has attended over 50 IU games 2 years, including games off campus should I have to PICK between watching OSU or USC?” @JeffMcNuttCBS wrote in an X post. There are three periods where students can claim tickets. Ticket fulfillment will be based on class standing and accumulated attendance at other sporting events. The first two claim periods were from Aug. 12-13 and Aug. 26-27. The final claim period will be from Sept. 30 to Oct. 1 and includes highly anticipated games versus Ohio State and USC. Final ticket claims will be fulfilled based on students’ attendance at other home games in September.

By Macy Pugh pughmal@iu.edu

As the fall semester begins, here are five summer news stories for students to catch up on: IU professor lab shutdown The U.S. Department of Agriculture unexpectedly shut down Indiana University Professor Roger Innes’ Myers Hall lab and several adjacent spaces in May. The closure came after a December 2025 FBI search of the lab. Innes said that the closure was connected to an anticipated USDA review of the lab following months of federal scrutiny. USDA officials did not name any federal violations, but Innes said the closure of the interconnected research space shared by other labs delayed research for other projects for between six weeks and three months. The FBI search in December 2025 followed the Nov. 25 arrest of Youhuang Xiang, a former IU postdoctoral research associate. Xiang was charged with conspiracy, smuggling goods into the United States and making false statements. He allegedly requested and received a package that contained clothing and plasmid DNA derived from E. coli bacteria from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, where Xiang had previously worked. According to court documents, Xiang said he was aware he needed a permit to import E. coli and knowingly did not get one. He spent more than four months in prison and was sentenced to a $500 fine and deportation to China during his trial April 7. College of Arts and Sciences dean steps down On Aug. 1, Rick Van Koo-

IDS FILE PHOTO

Downtown Bloomington is seen from the Seventh and Walnut Street Parking Garage. Bloomington had many news stories over the summer for students to catch up on.

ten, former dean of the college since July 2019, stepped down from his role. Van Kooten is now special adviser to IU Bloomington Chancellor David Reingold. Caroline Chick Jarrold took over as interim executive dean the same day. Jarrold previously served as associate dean for natural and mathematical sciences and research, and she has taught at IU since 2002. In an email to the college faculty and staff, Van Kooten said it was not his choice to change roles. “This was not a change I sought, and it is not easy to leave work that has been so meaningful to me,” Van Kooten wrote. More than 200 faculty members from the college

signed a letter that expressed concern over Van Kooten’s removal. The letter highlighted Van Kooten’s past roles as a faculty member, as well as his intellectual excellence and leadership during a time of “real crises of confidence in higher administration.” “We write now to express our deep disappointment in the university’s decision to remove from leadership a colleague who has drawn from his faculty experience and institutional knowledge to be an excellent leader,” the faculty wrote. IU Foundation board member steps down James Fielding, IU alumnus and three-term IU Foundation board member, announced via a July 1 Linke-

dIn post that he appreciates IU but said he will not serve a fourth term due to the university’s current climate. Fielding began serving on the board in 2017. He helped found the Queer Philanthropy Circle in 2019, a philanthropic group that brings IU donors together to support LGBTQ+ students, staff, faculty and alumni. In a longer blog post, posted June 30, Fielding said donors were informed that it was no longer possible to designate emergency scholarships for LGBTQ+ students, as it could risk national grant funding. Fielding said he felt discouraged and concerned about the future of higher education given changes in state and federal laws and guidance sur-

rounding universities. “At the institutional level, I cannot reconcile what I have seen on free speech, on the dismantling of diversity and inclusion infrastructure, and on the protection of marginalized students, faculty and staff,” Fielding wrote. Football season ticket process changes In a July email, IU Athletics announced a new procedure for student football season tickets for the 2026-27 school year. The new claim process will allow students with season passes to select five out of eight home games to attend, changing the longstanding tradition allowing passholders access to all home football games. Many Indiana fans had

Little 500 movie production Production of the movie “Little Five” started in July in Bloomington. The film, which is set in the 1980s, will follow four young women as they form a Little 500 team and fight for a place in the race. Students and Bloomington locals had an opportunity to be extras in the film when a casting call was held from July 19 to Aug. 12. Multiple streets closed for filming, including Grant Street and Seventh Street closing July 20-21. The Griffy Lake Nature Preserve was also closed for filming on Aug. 1. Anne Hathaway’s production company, Somewhere Pictures, is collaborating with Pigasus Pictures, an independent film company founded by IU alumni John Armstrong and Zachary Spicer, to produce the film.

Melania Trump grants IU, Purdue $2 million By Sofía Rodríguez sr73@iu.edu

Melania Trump announced $2 million in scholarships to Indiana University and Purdue University in partnership with IndyCar and Fox Sports on Aug. 20 during a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden. The partnership includes 24 other institutions and is a part of Melania Trump’s Fostering the Future initiative, a nationwide effort she founded in 2021 to give funding opportunities for higher education to fostered youth. During the ceremony, IU President Pamela Whitten and other recipients were

presented a giant check, including representatives from Purdue University, Fox and IndyCar. The scholarship money was donated by IndyCar and Fox through Melania Trump’s Fostering the Future initiative. “Tomorrow’s leaders are sitting in classrooms today, including those growing up in foster care,” Melania Trump said during her speech. “Their capability is no less remarkable.” Fox Sports CEO and Executive Producer Eric Shanks spoke at the ceremony. Shanks, an IU alumnus, said Fox is proud to partner with IU and Purdue. “Standing here today as

we talk about the crossroads of sports and opportunity and community, it fills me with great pride as a native of Indiana and an IU alum,” Shanks said. “Thank you, Pam.” Along with Whitten and Shanks, President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, IndyCar President Doug Boles, Penske Corporation CEO Roger Penske and Purdue’s Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Cherise Hall attended the ceremony. The announcement was featured during the Freedom 250 Grand Prix race on Aug. 23 in Washington, D.C., which was aired on Fox and Fox One.

IDS FILE PHOTO

IU President Pamela Whitten speaks during the grand opening of Yalla, a kosher dining option, on Jan. 13, 2026, in the Godfrey Graduate and Executive Education Center. Whitten attended Melania Trump's announcement of $2 million in scholarships to IU and Purdue on Aug. 20, 2026, at the White House Rose Garden in Washington, D.C.

Former IU student’s rape trial declared mistrial By Elizabeth Schuth ekschuth@iu.edu

Editor’s Note: This story includes mention of sexual assault. Former IU student Noah Apgar’s three-day rape trial ended after Monroe County Circuit Court Judge Valeri Haughton declared a mistrial due to a hung jury last Aug. 20. Apgar was first charged with five counts of rape, one count of strangulation and one count of criminal confinement in September 2024

after two women on different days reported Apgar to the Indiana University Police Department. The two women’s cases will have separate trials, Monroe County Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Kehr wrote in an email. Apgar’s trial was the first of two, and he was tried for one count of rape. The second victim’s trial for the remaining six charges against Apgar is still awaiting a date and a judge. Apgar pled not guilty to one count of rape in the August trial

After an eight-hour deliberation, the trial’s jury was unable to reach a decision, resulting in a mistrial. A mistrial is declared when a jury cannot reach a decision after deliberations, and the defendant is not cleared of charges or declared guilty. After a mistrial, the prosecution is given the option to retry the case, offer a plea deal or dismiss charges against Apgar. The prosecution chose to retry the case. Apgar will be retried on Sept. 14, 2026, in Monroe County.

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A police car is parked Feb. 22, 2023, outside the Bloomington Police Department at 220 E. Third St. Noah Apgar's rape trial was declared a mistrial.

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Indiana Daily Student

OPINION

Sept. 3, 2026 idsnews.com

Editors Eric Cannon, Emma Howard opinion@idsnews.com

SASHA SPEAKS

This semester, remember to complete your assigned reading

IDS FILE PHOTO

Books including "Where the Crawdads Sing," "Four Hundred Souls," "Lolita," "To Kill a Mockingbird," "In the Time of the Butterflies," "Animal Farm," "The Bell Jar" and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" are displayed on a shelf spotlighting literary censorship. Educators have called out declining "reading stamina" across all levels of education for years. Sasha Burton

is a junior studying elementary education with minors in Spanish and English.

If you’re like me, during Welcome Week you received the dreaded email: “Don’t forget to read chapter one before the first class!” You groaned, you opened your textbook, you counted how many pages of suffering awaited. You decided the reading was too much effort, closed the book and shrugged, hoping for the professor to suddenly change their mind and give everyone who didn’t read extra credit. Maybe you pulled up ChatGPT and asked for a summary. After all, how important could class readings be? The truth is: very important. Long-form readings like novels and textbook chapters have major benefits for brain development and learning. They require time,

which means sitting with an idea and thinking about it more deeply than you would, say, an email, which requires much less time to read. Furthermore, in a longer text, we must be able to follow the author’s line of thinking, which means analysis of how points build on one another. All of these skills are not only beneficial for school, but also in regular life. At all levels of education, educators have been calling out declining “reading stamina” for years. Students no longer have the attention span to read 20, even 10, pages in one sitting, especially dense academic writing that needs close reading. When I wrote the dreaded phrase “attention span,” you probably guessed the culprit. Today’s college students are among the first to grow up in a digital age. Every student has a cell phone in their pocket, which about 72% of high school teach-

ers surveyed by the Pew Research Center say are a major distraction in the classroom. This is further evidenced by the state of Indiana’s recent ban on cell phones in schools. Constant phone use in the classroom can certainly follow those students into college, and constant phone use can certainly erode attention spans. Cell phones are a great tool for instant gratification. When we use our phones, we don’t have to wait for the next Instagram Reel or YouTube Short. And we are incredibly used to being on our phones. About 85% of American adults surveyed in 2025 said they check their phone within 10 minutes of waking, and about 76% felt “uneasy” leaving the house without their phone. In this kind of environment, it is incredibly difficult to focus on tasks that delay gratification, such as reading a chapter in a textbook. Adam Kotsko, a profes-

sor of Classics at North Central College in Illinois, also cited the shift to teaching in K-12 more oriented toward standardized testing. In the case of reading, that means teaching students how to read and comprehend a short passage rather than a longer text. Because better test scores lead to more funding for a school, the emphasis makes sense, Kotsko writes, but it is also incredibly harmful for students who plan to attend college and will need the skills to understand longer passages. That isn’t to mention student willingness to read class texts, which has admittedly always been low. And of course, that isn’t entirely on students. Professors sometimes assign readings that they never mention in class and that don’t come up on exams, which can discourage students from reading even if the content would enhance learning.

On the students’ side, the new era of AI we are entering is making it easier to neglect class readings. After all, AI can pull up a summary of that textbook chapter in less than a minute. Reading the AI summary requires much less time and effort. It is a poor substitute for real reading, though. A summary may help give a brief overview of class topics, but true mastery comes from engaging with and understanding a text inside and out. The harm that is done is clear. If students cannot, or do not, read as much, professors must adjust their syllabi, and the quality of a college education suffers. They are no longer able to cover as much material or go as in depth as they would have 10 years ago. That isn’t to say that a college education is no longer worth your hard-earned money and your time. Professors are still experts in

their field, and a lot can still be learned from them. Not to mention the other benefits of college, like social learning. Us college students aren’t to blame for all of these problems. But we can take matters into our own hands. Liz Stillwaggon Swan, a professor of technical and scientific writing at the University of Colorado, writes about taking time to read intentionally and to read something that you enjoy. The more you read, the easier it will be to read more advanced materials in the future. It will also be easier to read more in one sitting. The best way to start is to seek out something you are truly interested in, put down your phone and dedicate yourself to reading it. Sit down and read intentionally. Take notes. Look things up. sashburt@iu.edu

ERRANT ERIC

Get technology out of college classrooms Eric Cannon (he/him)

is a junior studying philosophy and political science and currently serves as a member of IU Student Government.

It’s a time of experimentation in higher education. That’s a tell that something is wrong. As your high school science teacher drilled, the first step in the scientific method is noticing a problem. In this case: Why are college-bound students, despite increasing high-school GPAs — and a record-high graduation rate — less prepared for collegelevel coursework than ever before? Among first-semester Calculus I students at the University of California, Berkeley, a third displayed “severe preparation deficits” between 2020–23. In franker speak, one in three high school students in that period didn’t graduate with high-school level skills. That trend continues. And so, in July, over 2,300 STEM faculty in the UC system signed a letter asking that the university reinstate SAT/ACT score requirements for STEM-focused applicants. The second step is offering a hypothesis: Something is not working in K–12 education. State legislatures connect declining learning outcomes with the ubiquity of phones: 26, including Indiana’s, have banned the use of phones during the academic day. And why not? Over the last decade, dwindling test scores have coincided with the proliferation of smart phones among Americans. But the link is, at best, dubious. Besides student wellbeing — a wonderfully vague term — researchers at Stanford University, studying data of 43,000 schools,

ILLUSTRATION BY BRI SUCH

did not find increased test scores, or many other benefits of phone-free schooling. Surely, a broader range of factors contribute to the present crisis in learning, not reduceable to a single, conveniently visible scapegoat. It can't help that parents do too little to hold their kids academically accountable, at least according to teachers. But it also can’t help that two-thirds of teens get distracted by digital devices during the school day. Distracted students, presumably, perform worse on tests. Basing policy on common sentiment — vibes, if you like — that contradicts critical research probably worsens problems more often than not. See tariffs, for example. Vibes might tell us that American manufacturing is suffering and needs the strong arm of the government to protect it. Economic

data, however, shows that heavy industry in the United States is more productive, and stronger, than ever. Meanwhile, tariffs wreak pocketbook havoc. But something is wrong in K–12 education, and that dysfunction creeps into higher education every time a high school senior graduates. So, universities must try something. Much like their students, some are experimenting in 1960s-style freespiritism: At the University of Michigan, the College of Literature, Science and Arts will hide first-semester grades from transcripts beginning in fall 2027, with the goal of “allow(ing) intrinsic motivations to guide personally meaningful academic journeys.” When second semester comes, Michigan surmises, un-ready college students

whose incentives to become ready have been stripped, will, through “intrinsic motivation,” be suddenly transformed into ready students. Michigan offers no suggestion as to where that intrinsic motivation will arise from. Because Michigan's experiment is doubtful to pan out, universities might as well try solutions a tad more conservative — more rulebound, rigid "1950s-style." In the same timeframe as Michigan, the College of the University of Chicago will ban the use of technology in certain general education classes. Chicago supposes that increasing, not lowering, expectations will profit students' study ethic. A simple test as to which of these experiments will prove more beneficial is to ask which the unmotivated student would prefer? Obviously, the hidden grade pol-

icy. After determining that, opt for the other experiment. Expecting more of students — to participate more fully in class — through extrinsic pushes like technology bans is a better bet. There is still time for the College of Arts and Sciences at Indiana University to adopt such a policy ahead of the 2027 academic year. The college should stand behind professors who already restrict the usage of screens in their courses and encourage others to do so as well, especially in first- and second-year classes where screens are not integral to the subject. Admittedly, technology is good. If Ned Ludd had had his druthers, the world would be worse off. Technology increases productivity while diminishing the human toil required. It’s useful at making more things

more easily and, on a collective scale, is the reason why many can delay entry into the workforce, say, four years to obtain a bachelor’s degree. But exactly the effortlessness that technology offers is counterproductive when the goal is not output but resistance — mental or physical. Arguments that technology in the classroom is necessary to prepare students for the technology they’ll encounter in the workforce amount to arguments against hitting the gym in a world where forklifts instead of manpower move boxes in warehouses. Of course, the latter argument is absurd. Outsourcing manpower enfeebles muscle; outsourcing brainpower erodes gray cells. In my last column, I predicted a smaller future for higher education. Not only are there fewer students because of declining birth rates. The economic depreciation of college degrees means of these fewer students, fewer will choose college. As a result, many institutions of higher education will be shutting their doors over the next decades. Academia's smaller future could resemble its equally small past, where it was a place of leisure rather than a license to work. In such a future, where academic pursuits are increasingly sought for their own sake, the students who choose college will likely want something different than high school, something challenging, which will engage them in intellectually strenuous activities. Universities can prepare for this future now by following the example that Chicago’s College has set. ericcann@iu.edu

Sept. 3, 2026 | Indiana Daily Student | idsnews.com

» DOLLY

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Phillips then opened the rest of the evening to an open mic, where members of the community were invited to sing songs or tell stories of how Dolly affected their own lives.

"Dolly was about acceptance. She was about being yourself. And I think that is really something students are craving right now: that freedom to express themselves however they want to." Sarah Phillips, IU anthropology professor

One such community member was Marabai Rose, who was decked out in cowboy boots, a cowboy hat and

a sparkly red dress. Rose is a member of the local musical duo Wreckers of Romance. She told the crowd how much she related to the story of Parton's life, resonating specifically with how they both grew up in poor households. She then sang her favorite Parton song, “I Will Always Love You.” “I'm very sad that Dolly passed away, and I wish it had not happened,” Rose said. “But it’s also been really encouraging to see how widespread of a mourning and acknowledgment that the whole world is showing and experiencing together.” Phillips told the Indiana Daily Student in an interview that Parton was “the great unifier” and that everyone from every walk of life loved her and her work. “Dolly was about acceptance. She was about being yourself,” Phillips said. “And that is really something that I think students are craving right now: that freedom to express themselves however

they want to.” During the spring 2027 semester, associate instructor Rachel Seymour will teach Phillips’ “The Anthropology of Dolly Parton” course while she is on sabbatical. Seymour told the IDS that Parton had a wide reach. She said you might find Parton fans that are conservative or queer but are all “unified by Dolly.” “You think about this lady who grew up in Appalachia in a very humble beginning,” Seymour said. “And she became this larger-than-life personality.” The vigil ended about an hour after it began with around 30 people holding candles as the night grew darker. “We really need more love and acceptance in the world,” Rose said. “And so, I hope that her passing allows us as a culture to really recognize and embrace that this is the direction we need to move in.”

Health Spotlight

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Behavioral/Mental

TRINITY MACKENZIE | IDS

Attendees at the Dolly Parton vigil pass a flame between candles Aug. 29, 2026, at Sample Gates in Bloomington. Attendees wore rhinestones and Dolly Parton merchandise in Parton’s honor.

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Oral/Dental Care

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HOOSIER ORAL SURGEON

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the care and services you need to stay healthy at idsnews.com/health

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Indiana Daily Student

ARTS

Sept. 3, 2026 idsnews.com

Editors Lexi Bunting, Ursula Stickelmaier, Abby Whited arts@idsnews.com

Upcoming events, performances by Jacobs School of Music KATHERINE MANERS | IDS

Ballerinas perform at the Jacobs School of Music Fall Ballet on Oct. 22, 2025, in the Musical Arts Center in Bloomington. The ballet featured a live orchestra. By Stella Klaus ssklaus@iu.edu

With over 1,000 performances annually and multiple performance locations across Bloomington, the Jacobs School of Music is a great place to get your fix of musical and artistic events at Indiana University. Jacobs has frequently been ranked as a top-10 music school nationally and internationally. They have many degree programs and opportunities for students, but they also host many events and performances

every year for students and community members to enjoy. Here are some of the upcoming events to check out at Jacobs this fall. Recitals Returning to campus from 4-5 p.m. Sept. 6 is the Meet Me at the Metz Carillon Series. The Metz Carillon Tower is the 91-foot bell tower located in the Cox Arboretum on campus. The event is a showcase of students and faculty playing a wide range of music on the Carillon, an instrument consisting of at least 23 bells arranged in a chromatic sequence, and is free

to attend. IU’s Carillon contains 65 bells in the tower. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs to the Arboretum to enjoy the recital. Tours of the tower are also typically offered after the performances. The recital is an ongoing series and usually takes place on Sundays at the same time. Another faculty recital will happen from 8-10 p.m. Sept. 10 at Auer Hall, featuring Brandon Vamos, a professor of practice in cello at Jacobs. Vamos will be performing the cello. This performance will be available to stream on the live@

jacobs site. Orchestra performances The IU Philharmonic Orchestra will participate in Jacobs Live at the Movies, where they will perform the soundtrack of Disney’s “Frozen” live alongside the movie. The event will take place at 7 p.m. Sept. 12 at the IU Auditorium, followed by a second performance at 2 p.m. Sept. 13. Ticket prices range from $26 to $76. At 6 p.m. Sept. 13, Switchyard Park will host an evening with the IU Jacobs School of Music Symphony Orchestra. The show will be conducted by guest

conductor Fawzi Haimor, the newly appointed music director of the Marin Symphony Orchestra in California. Opera and Ballet The opera “The CookOff,” created by Shawn E. Okpebholo and Mark Campbell, will be at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18 and 5 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Musical Arts Center. The opera portrays chefs competing in a televised cooking competition making macaroni and cheese and is meant to reveal a deeper truth about food, culture and history. The fall ballet will take

place at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2 and at both 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Musical Arts Center. The program will include four different performances created by both faculty members and choreographers such as George Balanchine, James Whiteside and Caili Quan. These are just a few upcoming options for events and performances around campus, but Jacobs continues to host events throughout the semester. If you’re struggling to find something to do this fall, take a look at the Jacobs School of Music event calendar for options.

Another Round features in Mr. Beast’s newest YouTube video By Hope Bernard hbernar@iu.edu

Imagine a member of YouTuber Mr. Beast’s team asks you and your friends to be featured in the creator’s next video, posted to a channel with 515 million subscribers. For IU’s all-male a cappella group, Another Round, that’s exactly what happened. In “Escape 100 Cops, Win $500k,” released Aug. 22, internet personality Jimmy Donaldson, known as Mr. Beast, and his friends must evade a team of 100 Indiana State Police officers. Throughout a duration of 12 hours, each successful arrest would give the ISP department $100k. Six of Another Round’s members were featured in the video. Their team was tasked with hanging out at a crowded market built exclusively for the video, which was used to divert the cops away from Mr. Beast and his friends. Despite having only a sliver of screentime in the final video — through an aerial drone shot — several ensemble members said the experience was really exciting. Gannon Michna, a senior studying marketing and advertising at IU, and Justin Katin, a senior studying musical theater, were both fea-

COURTESY PHOTO

Another Round, IU’s all-male a cappella group, is pictured at Sample Gates in Bloomington. The ensemble was recently featured in a Mr. Beast YouTube video.

tured in the video. Both said the group spent their free, offscreen time on set at the Muscatatuck Urban Trainer Center in southern Indiana singing a cappella. “We had a great time singing there and just hanging out and being a part of this ginormous video,” Katin said. “Just being a part of that is so cool.” Katin said the Mr. Beast crew created a welcoming community for the six mem-

bers, focusing on hospitality and making sure every detail was right on the large set. “They really take an effort to make sure that it’s a positive welcoming community and that all the producers, all the casting team, everybody, make it known that if you feel unsafe or if something is wrong, that you’re the priority over the video,” Katin said. Both members watched Mr. Beast when they were younger, each having their

own favorite videos from the creator. “I like some of his classics like ‘Last to Take Hand Off House Keeps It’,” Michna said. “I remember watching those with my friends, and we were trying to pick our favorite cast members to see who would actually win.” Hearing the news that the group would be a part of a Mr. Beast video was a complete shock to Michna. “I would say my first reac-

tion was just complete and utter shock,” Michna said. “I’ve been following along with Mr. Beast ever since middle school. So, when Justin told us that he had a really exciting opportunity, I was immediately on board.” However, the team is no stranger to viral online moments: just last year, the ensemble went viral on TikTok for a video that then-IU freshman Lena Apolskis posted Sept. 16.

The group performed R&B singer Jeremih’s “Birthday Sex” as a birthday request and amassed more than 8.6 million likes. The group has performed for many birthdays since then and has a Cameo account for those who want to request recorded messages for friends or loved ones. During the group’s time on set, they interacted with many other extras, including a multitude of Mr. Beast doppelgangers that were used to distract the cops further. Yet, the moment proved to be another opportunity of connection within the group. Many of them were impressed by the production’s large budget. “This was my first time doing a large-scale production,” Michna said. “It was awesome to see like how much space we were able to work with. We pretty much had an entire street where we could walk up and down and just interact with all of our friends.” The ensemble said that they would soon be announcing their upcoming album, “Poor Decisions,” to be released in either late September or early October. Another Round’s discography can be found on Spotify and Apple Music under the same name.

COLUMN: 5 songs to add to your back-to-school playlist By Elia Crisan ezcrisan@iu.edu

To get excited for the changes of a new semester and season, it always helps me to listen to songs I associate with those changes. As the fall semester kicks off, here are some Indiana University-inspired classics and a few more tunes to get you into that fall vibe, from my playlist to yours. 1. “Goin’ Back to Indiana” by The Jackson 5 “Goin’ Back to Indiana,” by the Jackson 5 is sure to get you excited to be a student at IU. The Jackson 5 members were born in Indiana, and this Motown beat famously references their home state. This upbeat song makes me excited for campus life and is a classic theme song for outof-state students returning to campus. It’s a simple, en-

ergetic song about returning to Indiana that gives a great confidence boost to start off the academic year. 2. “Harvest Moon” by Neil Young “Harvest Moon,” by Neil Young is a favorite of mine as we head into autumn. The instrumentals, featuring an acoustic guitar, and background vocals by singer Linda Rondstadt, create a warm and rustic fall melody. From lyrics specifically referencing the fall season, such as, “We could dream this night away / But there’s a full moon risin’ / Let’s go dancin’ in the light...On this harvest moon,” the song’s storytelling is one of my favorite elements. It creates a homey atmosphere, through the track’s old folky style, perfect for the incoming chilly weather.

3. “September Fields” by Frazey Ford “September Fields,” by Frazey Ford is another favorite as we head into the month of September. With bluesy and upbeat energy, “September Fields” includes horns and cheerful drumming instrumentals. It has a brisk rhythm perfect for the incoming cooler weather and quick walks to class. The lyrics themselves also match the growth and changes that come from growing older, with verses stating, “You better grab the best of your life / I know you’re ready to get older anyhow,” a reflective line that mirrors the adjustments made as a young adult to new environments and experiences. 4. “See You Later, I’m Gone” by Robert Lester Folsom Another cozy playlist

option is “See You Later, I’m Gone,” by Robert Lester Folsom. This song has a nostalgic, fall vibe that narrates the changing seasons. The track begins with the words, “The summer leaves are turning brown / They’re hanging loose on every limb,” foreshadowing the transformation IU’s campus will soon be witnessing. Sounding like a home-recorded song, with simple and imperfect instrumentals, the track feels familiar. The lyrics reflecting on time and saying goodbye while still moving forward are nostalgic, with the last line stating, “See you later, I’m gone (on my way).” Lester Folsom wrote the song during his first year of college in 1974, at the age of 19, and could certainly relate to some of those college feelings of new surroundings and possibilities.

ILLUSTRATION BY BRI SUCH | IDS

5. “Summer’s Over” by Jordana and TV Girl “Summer’s Over” by Jordana and TV Girl has an ambiance and title perfectly matching the season we’re in. With a more modern feel, using synths and electronic instruments, this alternative/indie song is perfect for chill-background beats. Released in 2021, the catchy and simple vo-

cals create a head-bopping, relaxed mood. The bittersweet lyrics about things coming to an end, and the transitions we go through as we grow is felt in this lighthearted melody. So, as the weather cools and the workload ramps up, keep this playlist close by, and hopefully you’ll have some new songs to add to your shuffle.

Sept. 3, 2026 | Indiana Daily Student | idsnews.com

Discover live music, performances this fall By Paul Beckhart pabeckha@iu.edu

Whether you’re just in town for a visit or live here full time, it’s important to know Bloomington is home to a thriving live music and arts scene, with plenty of options for performances by national acts and local bands to enjoy. No matter the genre or style of performance you’re looking for, these venues in Bloomington will have something for everyone. Buskirk-Chumley Theater The historic BuskirkChumley Theater is located in the center of Bloomington at 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. and has been operating since 1922. Originally a movie theater, the venue now operates as a performing arts center, hosting an array of musical and theatrical performances each year. The theater acts as the primary venue for several annual performance events in Bloomington, including the Lotus World Music & Arts Festival and shows by Indiana University’s African American Arts Institute. The space regularly features community events as well as university-affiliated productions, making it a highly active music hub in town. This month you can catch “Kalimba: The Spirit of Earth, Wind, and Fire,” a tribute to the genre-bending group, on Sept. 24. Information about this event and more is available on the theater’s website. The Bluebird If a nightclub is more of your scene, look no further than The Bluebird at 216 N. Walnut St. In its 53-year history, the venue has transformed from a bar and deli to a full-on live-music venue and staple in Bloomington. The venue has hosted performers from a variety of genres, including iconic names such as Zach Bryan and Ween, as well as local bands such as Six Foot

The historic Buskirk-Chumley Theater is pictured Feb. 28, 2022, on Kirkwood Avenue. The theater opened in 1922.

Blonde. The Bluebird is a thriving spot for IU students and Bloomington residents 21 and older to catch live music performances. Event information is regularly updated on The Bluebird’s website and Instagram. IU Auditorium The IU Auditorium is located in the heart of campus at 1211 E. Seventh St. and is a prime spot for musical performances near IU student housing. With 3,200 seats, the auditorium is one of the largest performing arts venues in Bloomington and, according to the university's

2025 report, brought in over 100,000 visitors during the year. The venue also often offers discounted tickets for IU students. On Sept. 12 and 13, you can catch “Disney’s Frozen in Concert” at the auditorium with the score performed by IU’s Philharmonic Orchestra. Later this month, the musical “Waitress” will be performed live at the auditorium on Sept. 29 and 30. The Bishop Bar Located two blocks off Bloomington’s downtown square at 123 S. Walnut St.,

The Bishop Bar hosts anything from live music performances and DJs to the occasional karaoke and stand-up comedy event. The Bishop also hosts some 18-and-older events. For details regarding event dates and age requirements, visit The Bishop’s website and Instagram.

electronic and folk acts from across Indiana in a house show setting. 826 Shows puts on multiple events each month at various locations in Bloomington, with details found on its website. For Tiny Garage, information about performers and event times can be found on its Instagram.

826 Shows & Tiny Garage As independent music platforms that host local bands, 826 Shows and Tiny Garage each offer alternatives to traditional music venues. The performers include rock, bluegrass, indie,

Lotus World Music & Arts Festival Hosted in downtown Bloomington every year, the Lotus World Music & Arts Festival showcases dozens of global musical acts across a weekend of performances.

IDS FILE PHOTO

This year the festival will take place Oct. 1-4 and will consist of over 20 musical acts from around the world. Outside of the festival, the Lotus Education & Arts Foundation presents events year round that include parades and concerts with the goal of providing people the opportunity to experience the world’s diverse cultures through art and music. If you’re diving into Bloomington’s music scene for the first time this fall or you're looking for a new spot to catch live performances in town, Bloomington has something for everyone.

Indiana Daily Student

Sept. 3, 2026 idsnews.com

PHOTO

Editors Trinity Mackenzie, Katherine Maners visuals@idsnews.com

Bloomington community honors Dolly Parton

8 PHOTOS BY TRINITY MACKENZIE | IDS

1. A group of Dolly Parton vigil attendees listen to a speech Aug. 29, 2026, at Sample Gates in Bloomington. The flag on campus was raised half mast in response to Parton’s death. 2. A Dolly Parton vigil attendee takes a video Aug. 29, 2026, at Sample Gates in Bloomington. Many attendees took photos and videos of the crowd. 3. Attendees at the Dolly Parton vigil pass the flame between tealights Aug. 29, 2026, at Sample Gates in Bloomington. The event was held to honor and provide a space to grieve Parton. 4. Jessica Storey-Nagy sings and plays guitar at the Dolly Parton vigil Aug. 29, 2026, at Sample Gates in Bloomington. Storey-Nagy played “My Tennessee Mountain Home” and “9 to 5.” 5. A Dolly Parton vigil attendee holds a tealight Aug. 29, 2026, at Sample Gates in Bloomington. The vigil played Parton’s music throughout the event. 6. Marabai Rose holds a candle at the Dolly Parton vigil Aug. 29, 2026, at Sample Gates in Bloomington. Rose sang “I Will Always Love You” at the event. 7. A group of vigil attendees listen to a speech Aug. 29, 2026, at Sample Gates in Bloomington. Multiple attendees shared their experiences meeting Parton or connections to her life. 8. IU junior Elizabeth Axsom holds a candle at the Dolly Parton vigil Aug. 29, 2026, at Sample Gates in Bloomington. Axsom shared personal anecdotes about her connection to Dolly Parton. 9. Attendees at the Dolly Parton vigil take a photo together Aug. 29, 2026, at Sample Gates in Bloomington. The pair wore Dolly Parton T-shirts.

Indiana Daily Student

SPORTS

Sept. 3, 2026 idsnews.com

Editors Conor Banks, Sean McAvoy, Kasey Watkins sports@idsnews.com

FIELD HOCKEY

KATHERINE MANERS | IDS

The Indiana field hockey team huddles while a play is under review during a game against Michigan State on Oct. 26, 2025, at Deborah Tobias Field in Bloomington. The Hoosiers fell to 0-1 on the season following a loss to Miami University on Aug. 29.

Indiana rallies late in regular season opener By Jack Davis

jjd5@iu.edu | @jackdavis0006

Indiana field hockey found itself in a two-goal hole late in the third period against Miami University in its season opener Aug. 29 in Louisville, Kentucky. Nothing seemed to be going the Hoosiers’ way until freshman midfielder Gabriela Garayo Aranceta found the back of the net near the end of the third period. The goal gave the Hoosiers life heading into the fi-

nal period, as Indiana continued to pressure Miami in search of the equalizer. Indiana had several chances throughout the fourth period but couldn’t capitalize on them. Miami ultimately held on for the 2-1 victory, handing the Hoosiers their first loss of the season. Throughout the first period, the RedHawks controlled the pace of the game, pressuring Indiana on defense and allowing the

Hoosiers very few chances. The RedHawks struck first with two minutes left in the first period when sophomore midfielder Justina Intzes converted off a penalty corner. Penalty corners continued to plague the Hoosiers in the second period. A little more than halfway through, Miami extended its lead to 2-0 off another penalty corner, this time scored by senior back Lucia Ventos. After the halftime break,

the Hoosiers started to settle in. Their passes looked cleaner, and they weren’t allowing as many chances for the RedHawks. Indiana began to find more opportunities on the offensive end, and it seemed like only a matter of time before the Hoosiers would break through. Their attempts finally paid off with just over two and a half minutes remaining in the third period, halving Miami’s advantage. Indiana’s sustained

pressure continued in the fourth period, and completing the comeback seemed like a possibility. The Hoosiers began to narrow the gap in shots and shots on goal, which had heavily favored the RedHawks earlier in the game. Indiana also erased Miami’s advantage in penalty corners, with both teams finishing with six. Indiana amped up the defense on the RedHawks with two minutes remaining

and continued searching for the equalizer. Despite having multiple chances in the final minutes, Indiana couldn’t convert. RedHawks senior goalkeeper Nicky Sjouken made four saves, while Indiana’s freshman Isa Smulders and junior Sadie Canelli combined for eight saves. Indiana’s late push made the fourth period competitive, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Indiana releases 2026-27 nonconference schedule By Nathan Shriberg

naashri@iu.edu | @nshriberg

Indiana men’s basketball released its 2026-27 nonconference schedule Aug. 25. The Hoosiers will play 12 nonconference games, including five against power conference opponents. Indiana will host just two of its power conference games outside the Big Ten, with two in Indianapolis and a Nov. 17 matchup with the University of Arkansas at Madison Square Garden in New York. The Cream and Crimson will take on the University of Kentucky on Nov. 20 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. After missing the NCAA Tournament for a third consecutive season, the Hoosiers will start head coach Darian DeVries’ second season at the helm Nov. 2 against Eastern Illinois University inside Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington. The Cream and Crimson went 18-14 last season, including a defeat to Kentucky,

the only 2025-26 nonconference opponent on the 2026-27 schedule. This year, they’ve flipped nearly the entire roster. With 11 departing players, the new-look Hoosiers are comprised of seven incoming transfers, four freshmen and two returners — fifth year senior forward Sam Alexis, who is currently ineligible due to a recent court ruling, and sophomore forward Trent Sisley. The Hoosiers’ backcourt will be led by former Atlantic Coast Conference scoring leader senior guard Markus Burton, while junior center Samet Yigitoglu, a 7-foot-2 Southern Methodist University transfer, will anchor the frontcourt. In its second straight year with a roster comprised mostly of transfers, Indiana aims to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2023. Here is Indiana’s full nonconference schedule: Nov. 2 vs. Eastern Illinois

IDS FILE PHOTO

TThe Indiana men’s basketball team huddles during a timeout of the game against Ohio State on March 7, 2026, at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio. The Hoosiers released their 2026-27 nonconference schedule Aug. 25.

University Nov. 5 vs. Bellarmine University Nov. 9 vs. Syracuse University (Gainbridge Fieldhouse) Nov. 12 vs. Tennessee

Tech University Nov. 17 vs. University of Arkansas (Madison Square Garden) Nov. 20 vs. University of Kentucky (Lucas Oil Stadium)

Nov. 24 vs. Jacksonville University Nov. 27 vs. Bowling Green State University Dec. 3 vs. Western Illinois University

Dec. 12 vs. University of Central Florida Dec. 18 vs. University of Missouri Dec. 22 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson University

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WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

IDS FILE PHOTO

Indiana women's basketball players huddle during a game against Bellarmine University on Dec. 15, 2024, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington. The Hoosiers' 2026-27 nonconference schedule was released Aug. 24.

Women's basketball shares nonconference schedule By Savannah Slone

srslone@iu.edu | @savrivers06

Indiana women’s basketball announced its 202627 nonconference schedule in a release Aug. 24, revealing the Hoosiers’ 13 nonBig Ten contests for the upcoming season. Of the 13 nonconference games, 11 will be played at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. The Hoosiers will open their season Nov. 3 in Bloomington against Flor-

ida Gulf Coast University, which Indiana defeated 8264 in Fort Myers, Florida. Former Hoosier guard Shay Ciezki scored a game-high 26 points against the Eagles, while now-fourth year guard Lenée Beaumont recorded 23 points. Here are the nonconference opponents the Hoosiers will compete against this season: Nov. 3 vs. Florida Gulf Coast University

Nov. 6 vs. Southern Illinois University Nov. 9 vs. Bradley University Nov. 13 vs. Samford University Nov. 15 vs. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Nov. 18 vs. Coastal Carolina University Nov. 22 vs. University of Southern Indiana Nov. 27 vs. Mississippi State University (2026 Elevance Health Fort Myers Tipoff )

Nov. 28 vs. Georgia Institute of Technology (2026 Elevance Health Fort Myers Tipoff ) Dec. 2 vs. Boston College Dec. 8 or 9 vs. Northern Kentucky University Dec. 13 vs. Illinois State University Dec. 20 vs. Florida State University The 2026 Elevance Health Fort Myers Tipoff will take place at Suncoast Credit Union Arena on the

campus of Florida SouthWestern State College as the Hoosiers’ two nonconference contests away from Bloomington. Aside from Florida Gulf Coast, Indiana also played Florida State in last season’s nonconference slate. The Hoosiers defeated the Seminoles 76-72 in Tallahassee, Florida, after a clutch layup from former Indiana guard Jerni Kiaku with 15 seconds remaining in the contest.

After going 18-14 overall and 6-12 in the Big Ten last season, Indiana women’s basketball didn’t receive an NCAA Tournament bid for the first time since 2017-18. Two Hoosiers departed the program via graduation, and six entered the transfer portal, giving Indiana head coach Teri Moren roster positions to fill. Moren and the Hoosiers added five players from the 2026 transfer portal and five players from the incoming freshman class.

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WOMEN'S SOCCER

Indiana women's soccer looks ahead to its second season with head coach Josh Rife

LAUREN SMOLKO | IDS

Indiana and Saint Louis University women's soccer players jump to head the ball during a game Aug. 30, 2026, at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington. IU lost the game 2-0. By Leonardo Vesperini

lvesperi@iu.edu | @leovmedia

The 2024 season left Indiana women's soccer searching for a new direction. After a 12-4-4 record during the 2023 season, the Hoosiers limped to a 6-9-2 mark in 2024, winning just one Big Ten game. Soon after the regular season concluded, former Indiana head coach Erwin van Bennekom announced his resignation. Three months later, Indiana found its new direction in a familiar face. Indiana announced its new women’s soccer head coach — former Indiana men's soccer player Josh Rife — in February 2025. Rife had a history with Indiana, as a key player when

the men’s program made the Final Four twice in 2000 and 2001. After a six-year stint at Ball State University, Rife returned to his alma mater with a philosophy centered on playing with confidence and putting his players in positions to succeed. "There's always going to be a big change when you have a new coaching staff," senior defender Piper Coffield said in an interview with the Indiana Daily Student on Aug. 29. "How much they poured into us right away was super valuable." When Rife coached his first season at Indiana, Coffield was not on the field to experience the coaching change firsthand, due to injury. On the second day of

preseason, she suffered an ACL tear that sidelined her for the entire season. Instead of playing, she spent the year watching from the sideline, gaining a perspective on the game — and the team — she said she had never had before. "Never in my career have I had that much time to sit back and see the game from that perspective," Coffield said. "Talking to teammates and watching it, seeing it from that side of things was definitely super valuable." For senior midfielder Kennedy Neighbors, the adjustments meant more than learning a new coach's preferences but learning trust in a new program and buying into its vision for the team. "A huge thing for us and

NCAA rule reshapes women’s soccer season By Will Kwiatkowski

wdkwiatk@iu.edu | @WKwiatkowski_15

Sixteen days. That was once all Indiana women’s soccer had between reporting for preseason and playing its first match. Now, the Hoosiers and women’s soccer players across the country have something college athletes rarely get more of: time. Beginning with the 2026 season, a new NCAA Division I women’s soccer calendar is changing how teams prepare for and navigate the fall. Division I Proposal 2024-62 created a 14-day transition period before preseason and moved the first permissible competition date earlier, effectively spreading the season across two additional weeks. The NCAA Division I Council’s Student-Athlete Experience Committee sponsored the proposal, which entered the legislative process October 2024. The Division I Council adopted it Jan. 15, 2025, and it became finalized a month later, before taking effect July 1, 2026. The NCAA said the changes were designed to alleviate match compression, reduce missed class time and mitigate injury risk. For Indiana captain and senior defender Piper Coffield, the difference is already noticeable. “I do like that there’s not as many times where you’re somewhere on Thursday and then you’re flying somewhere else on Sunday,” Coffield said in an interview with the Indiana Daily Student on Aug. 29, “That’s super hard to keep up with.” Under the previous schedule, Rife said teams could report and play their first match just 16 days later. That left little time to gradually prepare players for the physical demands of Division I soccer before the games began piling up. “The intent behind the extended season is really meant to minimize injuries because you’re trying to decompress number of games,” Rife said in an Aug. 29 interview with

the IDS. The NCAA’s new transition period allows a maximum 10 hours of countable athletic activity each week, including no more than five hours of skill-related workouts. Players are limited to one on-field practice of no more than two hours per day and must receive two days a week without countable athletic activities. Outside competition is prohibited during the period. The legislation also regulates recovery once preseason begins, including prohibiting consecutive days of multiple on-field sessions and requiring at least three continuous hours of recovery between an on-field practice and a walkthrough. For Coffield, that additional preparation has allowed Indiana to work on details that previously could be sacrificed to the approaching opening match. “It gave us more time to focus on, like, the small things that sometimes historically we haven’t had time to focus on,” Coffield said. Instead of immediately jumping into 11-on-11 work and assembling a game roster, Coffield said the Hoosiers could spend more time on passing patterns, small-sided drills, technical work and competition. But the benefits have extended beyond the soccer pitch. Captain and senior midfielder Kennedy Neighbors said the additional time before the season helped the Hoosiers settle into a rhythm while giving the players more opportunities to develop relationships with one another. “That extra time also just gave us more time to all be together in kind of like the soccer setting of things and build together just our culture and get everyone on the same page,” Neighbors said. Rife has noticed it, too. He compared the weeks before classes begin to an “extended camp,” with players practicing together but also spending time away from the field at cookouts,

for him was our relationship,” Neighbors said in an interview Aug. 29. “...Trusting in the process and vision that he had. I think that went a long way in our season." One important aspect of Rife's vision for his players centered around the philosophy of "failing forward." To Rife, this means accepting mistakes are inevitable and encouraging players to be aggressive and confident, rather than allowing the fear of making mistakes stop them from trying to succeed. "The reality is, there's going to be mistakes," Rife said in an interview on Aug. 29. "Let's make sure we're making them because we're trying to make things happen." The Hoosiers finished the 2025 season 5-6-6, ranked

13th in the Big Ten standings. The record was an improvement from the previous season but still a long way from where Rife wanted. He said the season gave him a better understanding of his players and what they could contribute to his coaching style. "I have a vision in my head of how I want the game to be played," Rife said. "... I think it's wise as a coach to say, 'How do I make sure that I'm getting the most out of the players that we actually have available to us?'" Rife has taken this lesson into the 2026 season, where he has worked with Neighbors to challenge her skills by placing her in the midfield. "Trying something new

can be a scary thing, but also exciting," Neighbors said. "If that's where they see me and believing that I can be a valuable player in that position, then I trust that fully." Neighbors has already scored two goals in the season’s first five games, already one shy of her career-high three goals from last season. Coffield has one goal on a penalty kick against Bellarmine University. As the season continues, both Neighbors and Coffield said they have confidence in their coach to keep improving the team's record. "I think it's focusing on things like the controllables and how we can be the best versions of ourselves," Coffield said. "We train hard ... But we love each other too."

PAY LIKE A CHAMPION!

CHLOE LAVELLE | IDS

The Indiana women's soccer starting line up huddles before the match begins Sept. 7, 2025, at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington. The legislation designed to spread out the season an additional two weeks took effect July 1, 2026.

potlucks and other activities. Ultimately, Rife said, coaches can create opportunities for players to bond, but the players themselves determine whether those opportunities translate into a stronger team. The benefits continue once matches begin. With fewer two-game weeks, Rife said his staff can spend more time developing players instead of constantly alternating between match preparation and recovery. Coffield also pointed to the reduced strain of playing multiple road matches in short stretches. But there is still one question the new calendar cannot answer yet. While spreading matches out may reduce physical strain, extending the season also lengthens its mental demands. Rife said the real test will arrive in October, when coaches can evaluate whether players remain energized or whether the longer calendar begins to drag. For now, Rife sees the additional time as a valuable opportunity to keep his players healthy. “It’s not going to solve all the problems,” Rife said. “But it definitely helps minimize injury risk.” For the Hoosiers, the extra time means more opportunities to grow physically, mentally and emotionally. As the season unfolds, they hope that extra time translates into a stronger team when it matters most.

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FOOTBALL

IDS reporters hand out 2026 season predictions By IDS Staff sports@idsnews.com

After a historic 2025, Indiana football begins its quest to repeat last season’s success. Indiana claimed its first national championship in program history and became the first team in the modern college football era to finish 16-0. But the Hoosiers’ roster construction will look different in 2026 with key losses on both sides of the ball, including reigning Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza and two-time AllBig Ten First Team honoree D’Angelo Ponds. Head coach Curt Cignetti and his staff reloaded Indiana’s 2026 roster, adding 17 players through the transfer portal. The Indiana Daily Student’s two football reporters and columnist provided their player predictions for the upcoming season, set to kick off at noon Sept. 5 against the University of North Texas. Offensive player of the year CONOR BANKS: Josh Hoover transferred to Indiana after spending four seasons at Texas Christian University, and upon doing so, Hoover met his two new best friends — a strong defense and run game. At least, that’s what Cignetti said in the spring. He also met Indiana’s quarterback-friendly system under Cignetti and offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan, which paved the way for the success of Kurtis Rourke and Fernando Mendoza before him. Hoover threw for over 3,400 yards in each of his last two seasons as the starting quarterback at TCU, and I expect him to be in Heisman conversations this season. NATHAN SHRIBERG: In the back half of Indiana's 16-0 season, nobody was more clutch than now-junior wide receiver Charlie Becker. And he did it with two 2026 NFL Draft picks ahead of him. With Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. out of the way, Charlie B from Nashville, Tennessee, should have no trouble occupying the

spotlight as Hoover's top target down the field. ELAKAI ANELA: With Cooper and Sarratt in the NFL and E.J. Williams Jr. out of eligibility, junior transfer wide receiver Nick Marsh enters the fold as the No. 1 receiving option alongside Becker. Last season at Michigan State, Marsh played all 12 games and recorded 662 receiving yards, averaging 55 yards per game and leading the Spartans in receiving yards. Now in Indiana offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan’s system, the Detroit native is poised to break out like Becker did in the second half of last season. Following Becker’s late season success, teams will likely play tighter and pay more attention to him, leaving Marsh opportunities in the middle of the field. Defensive player of the year BANKS: Indiana’s secondary enters the season with uncertainty. Sophomore Byron Baldwin Jr. is set to see more playing time after appearing in just eight games last season, while the No. 2 defensive back position appears undecided. However, one constant in the starting secondary this season will be senior safety Amare Ferrell, who ranked second on the team with four interceptions in 2025 and led the Hoosiers with four two years ago. With a defensive front projected to be one of the best in the nation, Ferrell will be the focal point and leader of the Hoosiers’ secondary, which could make or break their defensive potential. SHRIBERG: Redshirt senior linebacker Isaiah "Bones" Jones made a name for himself in 2025 as a stellar tackler and turnover machine. After racking up 15.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, a forced fumble and an interception in 2025, he's primed for an even bigger 2026. Jones will succeed Aiden Fisher and wear the green dot while playing behind an improved defensive front that will be one of the nation's best, even without

fifth-year senior edge rushers Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt. ANELA: Indiana’s front four was one of the best in the nation last year. Even without some of the same faces coming back, there are two returners that stand out to me: redshirt senior defensive lineman Tyrique Tucker and junior defensive lineman Mario Landino. I firmly believe both will continue to be stellar this season, but Tucker will have a greater impact due to his pass rushing ability. Last season, the 6-foot, 305-pound interior defensive lineman earned the Associated Press’ third-team All American honors after posting 40 tackles, 12 TFL’s, six sacks and two pass deflections. Breakout player BANKS: One could argue redshirt sophomore running back Khobie Martin broke out last season with back-toback 100-yard rushing performances against Indiana State University and Illinois. However, he was largely limited to a “garbage-time” role when Indiana was up big in games. With last season’s lead rushers Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black exhausting their collegiate eligibility, I expect Martin to see more playing time in the earlier portions of games this year and break out as a consistent force in the running game. SHRIBERG: Defensive backs are a rare wildcard for the Hoosiers. Departing safeties Louis Moore and Devan Boykin left a chasm at the back end of the defense. Byron Baldwin Jr. struggled with injury last season, but the former four-star recruit will have plenty of opportunities to make an immediate impact and seize a starting safety spot in his sophomore campaign. ANELA: The top WR options after Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh are up in the air. However, I think redshirt senior wide receiver Shazz Preston has the best shot of winning the No. 3 option and could shine in first-down or

second-and-short scenarios in Shanahan’s scheme. Last year at Tulane University, the 6-foot wide receiver appeared in 14 games with 13 starts. He tallied 43 catches, 723 receiving yards — which led the Green Wave — and four touchdowns. Newcomer of the year BANKS: Indiana’s defensive front was dominant last season, tying for second in the nation with 45 sacks, while leading with 128 TFL’s. Although it remains to be seen if Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt will be eligible to play in 2026, Cignetti and his staff revamped the Hoosiers’ defensive front with the addition of fifth-year senior edge rusher Tobi Osunsanmi through the portal. Osunsanmi played in just six games last year before sustaining an undisclosed season-ending injury. Yet, he recorded six TFL’s and four sacks for the Wildcats. If he stays healthy, Osunsanmi is a solid bet to lead the Hoosiers in sacks. SHRIBERG: Never underestimate the power of a consistent offensive line. Fifth-year senior Joe Brunner transferred from Wisconsin, where he started 24 games at left guard over the past two seasons. Cignetti trusts him anywhere on the line, and he'll slide to right tackle next to redshirt sophomore right guard Adedamola Ajani. The 6-foot-7, 320-pound Brunner will provide much needed stability opposite 2025 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year redshirt senior Carter Smith. Cignetti prioritizes the run game, and Brunner unlocks the right side for the Hoosiers' rushing trio. ANELA: Aside from redshirt senior defensive back Jamari Sharpe, there’s a battle for the last starting cornerback position between senior A.J. Harris and redshirt senior Ryland Gandy. Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti said Aug. 24 that Harris “tweaked” his knee and missed “a couple” practices that week, but he is expected to be back soon. While the competition might bleed into the start of the regular

IDS FILE PHOTO

Indiana football players run onto the field before the College Football Playoff Semifinal game Jan. 9, 2026, in Atlanta. The Hoosiers were ranked No. 6 in the AP Preseason Poll. (CORRECTED)

season, Harris brings more experience to the field. The former University of Georgia and Penn State player has started 26 career collegiate games, recording 89 total tackles, one fumble recovery, one interception and six pass deflections across three seasons. Teams will likely try to steer clear of Sharpe after his breakout year last season, which will leave Harris more vulnerable, but he should be able to stand strong in the secondary. Under the radar player to watch BANKS: Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh hold the spotlight in Indiana’s wide receiver room. ESPN’s latest 2027 mock draft projected both to be first-round selections next year. Fifth-year senior receiver Tyler Morris figures to replace Omar Cooper Jr. in the starting slot position, but sophomore receiver Davion Chandler is also poised to see playing time in the slot. Chandler, who was one of 12 true freshmen to appear in a game for Indiana last season, is an explosive receiver. His lone catch in 2025 resulted in a 65-yard touchdown against Purdue. Cignetti has praised Chandler in fall camp, and Preston will also be in the mix in the slot, but don’t be surprised if Chandler makes a consistent impact in the pass game. SHRIBERG: No Hoosier position group has less returning production than

tight ends. Riley Nowakowski, Holden Staes and James Bomba exhausted their eligibility, leaving redshirt freshman Andrew Barker, who appeared in just one game, as the lone returner who’s seen the field. With two games under his belt, redshirt freshman transfer Brock Schott is the veteran of the group. The Fort Wayne native arrived at the University of Miami last season as a four-star recruit and the No. 5 prospect in the state. With no frontrunner in the room, Schott should win the top spot on the depth chart and be a key contributor to the offense. ANELA: While the running back room has yet to be sorted out, I anticipate there will be a runningback-by-committee approach. The Hoosiers’ group features Boston College junior transfer Turbo Richard, redshirt senior Lee Beebe Jr. and Khobie Martin. Last season, Beebe suffered a non-contact, season-ending knee injury in Week 3, leaving Martin as the third back behind Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black. Martin still posted 506 yards and six touchdowns on 77 rushing attempts in 14 games — even though most of those carries came toward the end of blowouts. Despite having stiff competition in the running back room again, the Fishers, Indiana, native should get more touches this season, leading to more production behind a revamped offensive line.

FOOTBALL

Indiana football game-by-game predictions By IDS Staff

sports@idsnews.com

No. 6 Indiana football kicks off its 2026 season against the University of North Texas at noon Sept. 5 at Memorial Stadium. The Hoosiers look to follow a 16-0 season with a roster containing a variety of notable returners, including junior receiver Charlie Becker, redshirt senior offensive lineman Carter Smith and redshirt senior defensive lineman Tyrique Tucker. Head coach Curt Cignetti also brought in 17 transfers to replace lost production from graduated and drafted players. The Hoosiers’ 2026 schedule features four preseason top 25 opponents, including a Big Ten Championship rematch against Ohio State and a trip to the “Big House” to face Michigan in Ann Arbor. The Indiana Daily Student’s two football reporters and columnist predicted all 12 matchups of the 2026 regular season. Sept. 5 vs. North Texas BANKS’ prediction: IU 38 – UNT 10 SHRIBERG'S prediction: IU 45 – UNT 10 ANELA'S prediction: IU 42 – UNT 7 The Mean Green came out of nowhere in 2025 to lead the FBS in total offense. However, the catalysts of that rise are no longer in the building. Former head coach Eric Morris left for Oklahoma State University, taking North Texas' FBS-leading passer Drew Mestemaker with him. Morris also brought star running back Caleb Hawkins and star wide receiver Wyatt Young to Oklahoma State. Last season's magic won't help against Indiana, and the Hoosiers will spoil Tayven Jackson's return to Bloomington. Sept. 12 vs. Howard University BANKS: IU 62 – HU 7

SHRIBERG: IU 55 – HU 3 ANELA: IU 66 – HU 7 Hoosier the Bison parachuted onto the Indiana Athletics scene last year at Memorial Stadium. It's safe to say his entrance will remain the best moment for a Bison on Merchants Bank Field, despite Howard’s best attempts during Week 2. The Cream and Crimson will dispatch their lone FCS opponent comfortably. Sept. 19 vs. Western Kentucky University BANKS: IU 45 – WKU 13 SHRIBERG: IU 49 – WKU 6 ANELA: IU 42 – WKU 7 Western Kentucky head coach Tyson Helton has guided his group to eight or more wins every season — aside from the pandemicshortened season in 2020. But Western Kentucky has a brutal schedule to begin the season. The Hilltoppers play at the preseason No. 3 University of Georgia the week before it heads to Bloomington. Indiana should run away with this contest in blowout fashion. Sept. 25 vs. Northwestern BANKS: IU 38 – NW 10 SHRIBERG: IU 41 – NW 13 ANELA: IU 31 – NW 10 Northwestern’s coaching staff includes the addition of offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, and it picked up former Michigan State and Oregon State University senior quarterback Aidan Chiles in the portal. Yet it feels unlikely the Wildcats will succeed against Indiana’s defense. The Hoosiers’ run game should lead the way against a below average Wildcats front four. Oct. 3 at Rutgers BANKS: IU 41 – RUT 13 SHRIBERG: IU 49 – RUT 10 ANELA: IU 34 – RUT 14 Rutgers was one of the worst defensive teams in the Big Ten last season. The Scarlet Knights surrendered 31.8

points per game –– tied for the second-highest mark in the conference. Rutgers Athletics announced a “blackout” theme and pregame fireworks in celebration of Homecoming when Indiana visits Piscataway, New Jersey. The Hoosiers’ fireworks on the field will spoil the festivities. Oct. 10 at Nebraska BANKS: IU 31 – NEB 14 SHRIBERG: IU 34 – NEB 17 ANELA: IU 27 – NEB 21 After finishing 7-6 last season, Nebraska underwent changes in some key positions. Head coach Matt Rhule brought in former University of Nevada, Las Vegas quarterback Anthony Colandrea to replace Dylan Raiola, who transferred to Oregon. The program also brought in defensive coordinator Rob Aurich to lead a defensive unit that struggled in the latter half of 2025. But the talent disparity will be too much for the Cornhuskers to overcome. Oct. 17 vs. Ohio State BANKS: IU 17 – OSU 13 SHRIBERG: IU 24 – OSU 21 ANELA: OSU 20 – IU 14 This is the marquee game of Indiana’s schedule. The Hoosiers defeated Ohio State 13-10 in last year’s Big Ten Championship game to claim the No. 1 seed heading into the College Football Playoff. The Buckeyes will undoubtedly enter this rematch with a chip on their shoulder. Ohio State retains much of last season’s offensive core, but it’s difficult to see Indiana losing at home –– something it has not done in the Curt Cignetti era. Oct. 24 at Michigan

BANKS: MICH 20 – IU 13 SHRIBERG: IU 31 – MICH

ANELA: IU 28 – MICH 17 One week after a likely top five matchup against

Ohio State, Indiana will travel to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to compete against the Wolverines in the “Big House” –– one of the loudest stadiums in the country. In a 2025 season where it was difficult to critique the Hoosiers’ play, the team did face some troubles on the road at Iowa and Penn State. Indiana has the experienced roster to win this game, but the road atmosphere could cause trouble. Oct. 31 vs. Minnesota BANKS: IU 42 – MIN 17 SHRIBERG: IU 38 – MIN 14 ANELA: IU 31 – MIN 21 While the Golden Gophers were ranked outside the Associated Press’ preseason top 25, they return redshirt sophomore quarterback Drake Lindsey and senior running back Darius Taylor. Led by redshirt senior defensive lineman Anthony Smith, Minnesota’s pass rush is talented this year as well, but questions loom in its secondary. If Indiana's passing game is clicking, the Hoosiers will avoid the upset at home. Nov. 14 vs. USC BANKS: IU 30 – USC 21 SHRIBERG: IU 27 – USC 21 ANELA: IU 23 – USC 20 The Trojans are coming off an underrated 2025 season and a crushing loss at the summer box office. Excluding the Alamo Bowl, USC only fell to Illinois, Oregon and the University of Notre Dame. Head coach Lincoln Riley has a rich history of quarterback development — Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, Jalen Hurts and Caleb Williams — and the Trojans have improved the trenches in front of returning redshirt senior quarterback Jayden Maiava. USC will challenge Indiana, but the Hoosiers hold them off at home. Nov. 21 at Washington BANKS: IU 24 – WAS 20

SHRIBERG: IU 30 – WAS

ANELA: WAS 31 – IU 24 Last year, Washington’s defense forced 1.5 turnovers per game, tied for the thirdbest mark in the Big Ten. If Indiana wants to escape with a win, redshirt senior quarterback Josh Hoover can't afford to turn the ball over – a concern at Texas Christian University, where he threw 33 interceptions in three full seasons. Nov. 28 vs. Purdue BANKS: IU 58 – PU 10 SHRIBERG: IU 55 – PU 7 ANELA: IU 63 – PU 6 Does this really need explaining? Purdue has had 21 losses in the past two years, which is more than Curt Cignetti has had during his nine seasons as a head coach at the NCAA Division I level. While the Boilermakers should improve this year, the Old Oaken Bucket will remain in Bloomington, and it won't be close. Game to watch: BANKS: vs Ohio State Yes, I predicted Michigan to beat Indiana, which would automatically constitute a must-watch. However, there will be no games on the Hoosiers’ schedule with the anticipation of the Ohio State matchup. With two teams likely to be top five in the country and a packed Memorial Stadium, what more could you want? SHRIBERG: at Michigan It's no secret the Ohio State game is the marquee matchup of the Hoosiers' season. But whether they leave unscathed or not, how the Hoosiers follow it up is arguably more important. No matter the record of either team, Indiana will face a physical defense amid a raucous crowd of over 100,000 people at the “Big House.” How the Hoosiers exit their toughest two-game stretch of the year will shape the final four games of their season. ANELA: at Washington

The Hoosiers’ schedule doesn’t get easier down the stretch. After Ohio State, Michigan and Minnesota, Indiana has its bye. But then it jumps right back into action against USC at home before playing Nov. 21 against Washington in Seattle. The last contest in this five-game, six-week stretch might be the toughest, with the Huskies having reloaded after a 9-4 season last year, while holding a 31-9 home record since 2021. Record prediction: BANKS: 11-1 I thought my 11-1 projection last year was ambitious. Turns out, it wasn’t ambitious enough. But, with some roster shakeup in the offseason, I struggle to see the Hoosiers repeat regular season perfection. With one loss, Indiana will find its way back to the Big Ten Championship Game and be one of the top seeds in the College Football Playoff. SHRIBERG: 12-0 A year ago, I wouldn't have predicted the Hoosiers' run to the national title. It's a mistake I'm not interested in repeating. With a roster full of talent, veteran leadership and eager newcomers, Indiana is just as equipped to win as it was in 2025. And I see no reason to doubt Curt Cignetti and his staff again. ANELA: 10-2 Similar to last year, Indiana has a light nonconference schedule followed by a string of tough opponents in Big Ten play during the middle of the season. While the overall roster is arguably more talented, there’s a lack of depth compared to last year’s edition. Despite losing two games in the regular season, I project the Hoosiers will be anywhere from a 6-10 seed in the College Football Playoff as they fall short of playing in the Big Ten Championship game.

Sept. 3, 2026 | Indiana Daily Student | idsnews.com

MEN'S SOCCER

Transfer additions making Indiana impact By Sean McAvoy

semcavoy@iu.edu | @seanmc07

After falling short against Saint Louis University during the second round of last season’s NCAA Tournament, Indiana men’s soccer looked to the transfer portal to help its chances of winning a ninth national championship. Indiana head coach Todd Yeagley and his coaching staff added eight new players to the squad. With a combined 351 matches of collegiate soccer experience, the transfer portal class was ranked the No. 1 haul by TopDrawerSoccer. The transfer portal pieces have been critical to the Hoosiers' success to start the 2026 season, which included key wins over the University of Notre Dame and Butler University. Senior forward Oliver Moller-Jensen, who transferred from Florida Atlantic University, scored two goals in Indiana’s 3-1 victory over Notre Dame on Aug. 20. Moller-Jensen added another score in the Hoosiers’ 3-0 win against the University of Evansville on Aug. 23. Moller-Jensen's activity when in attack was a constant during his 45 games at Florida Atlantic. The winger produced eight goals and 10 assists for the Owls in three seasons, but he has already produced five goal contributions in two games for the Cream and Crimson this

year. “It’s so complimentary of his ability to unlock and find a pass,” Yeagley said after the match against Notre Dame. “Now, you have (Easton) Bogard slipping in and getting in because he’s a lethal goal scorer if you give him a window.” Moller-Jensen's pace helped Bogard slip past defenders and find open space in the opponent's backline. But Moller-Jensen can be productive on the flanks and in the midfield, as shown by a goal and assist performance against Evansville while playing central midfielder. Moller-Jensen's rotating role in the first two matches was due in part to junior forward Stephane Njike’s injury. The two-game hole from Njike’s absence was also filled by senior forward Bennett Painter. The Bowling Green State University transfer didn’t produce a shot in his 77 minutes on the field, but he was a finisher for the Falcons. Painter produced 21 goals and nine assists across three seasons. His time with the Ohio-based school was headlined by a 13-goal season in 2024, which landed him on the All-Missouri Valley Conference second team. Painter fell out of Yeagley’s rotation after Njike returned for the Hoosiers’ 1-0 victory over Butler University on Aug. 27.

Njike’s return to the pitch was welcomed by his teammates and fans alike. After a seven-goal sophomore campaign last season, Njike landed on the All-Big Ten first team and was named No. 6 onTopDrawerSoccer’s Top 100 players list. Against Butler, Njike showcased flashes of his proven ability from last season. The Paris, France, native finished the contest with three shots, including one on goal. Njike brushed past Bulldogs defenders in the eigth minute, but his shot from inside the box was turned away by the Butler goalkeeper. Njike’s return to the lineup also helped MollerJensen, as Indiana’s shot leader produced a matchhigh 11 shots with three on goal. With Indiana’s forward garnering the most attention from Butler’s backline, the Hoosiers’ midfield was able to find space to create chances. Fifth-year midfielders Alex Matthews and Wes Carnevale started centrally for the Hoosiers against Butler. Matthews tacked on an assist during a corner kick for Indiana’s first — and only — goal of the match. Matthews transferred from Missouri State University in the offseason. Though the 5-foot-9 midfielder started in all 16 matches and was captain of the Bears, he chose to fight for playing

time in Bloomington. Matthews has a proven track record of quality on the pitch, earning first-team All-American Conference honors last season and the United Soccer Coaches third-team All-America honor in 2024. The Derbyshire, England, native isn’t known for his offensive expertise — only having three assists and no goals in his career — but Matthews can provide help when the Hoosiers want to play defensively. On the other end of the spectrum, Carnevale was a productive offensive player for Cornell University last season. A six-goal, threeassist campaign led the Big Red in points and tied for a team-high in goals scored — marks that earned him firstteam All-Ivy League honors. With Indiana, Carnevale hasn’t produced a goal or assist, but has started in all three games this season. The 5-foot-10 midfielder has also produced three shots. Junior midfielder Grant Paskus was also a key addition this offseason from Northern Illinois University. But Indiana’s abundance of talent at midfield has limited Paskus to only 65 minutes against Evansville this season. However, the Lawrence North High School product already produced one assist after compiling four with the Huskies over 33 games. While Indiana’s attack and midfield have been dan-

gerous to start the season, the Hoosiers’ defense has been even more spectacular. With two consecutive clean sheets over Evansville and Butler, the addition of junior defender Nick McHenry has been a key piece for the Hoosiers. Along with three returning defenders, Indiana has only given up six shots on goal this season, including none to Butler. McHenry joined Indiana after two stellar seasons at Big Ten foe Ohio State. The 6-foot-3 transfer started all 15 matches last season and was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team after 22 appearances in 2024. “I think Nick's game continues to grow,” Yeagley said after the match against Evansville. “He reads the game well ... It was really his patient defending is what I think he's made improvements in since January.” But Indiana’s stellar play starts with junior goalkeeper Michal Mroz. Compiling five saves to start the season, Mroz’s ability to command the players around him has caught the eye of Yeagley. The 6-foot-2 netminder started all 21 matches as a freshman, then produced a 0.95 goals against average and six clean sheets last season, earning him the Missouri Valley Goalkeeper of the Year award. As a team, the transfer and returning pieces have meshed well to start the 2026

DAVID PEARLMAN | IDS

Indiana men's soccer senior forward Bennett Painter runs after the ball Aug. 23, 2026, at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington. Painter was one of eight transfers to join the Hoosiers in the offseason.

season. With talent from all over the country and at different levels of NCAA soccer, Yeagley and his coaching staff have been able to unlock players’ potential. But for most players joining the Hoosiers, this season isn’t just about individual statistics, but a chance to win Indiana’s ninth national championship. “A lot of them are moving to go win something big, not have more accolades or be ‘The Guy,’” Yeagley said in a press conference on Aug. 18. “If I have to be not on the ball as much ... or not be featured on a restart and not be the guy that gets an accolade in preseason, I'm good with that. And that's what you look for.”

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Unity of Bloomington A Center for Spiritual Growth

Inter-Denominational

Apostolic Pentecostal

Redeemer Community Church

Lighthouse Community Church of Bloomington

111 S. Kimble Dr. 812-269-8975 redeemerbloomington.org facebook.com/RedeemerBtown Instagram & Twitter: @RedeemerBtown

850 E. Winslow Rd. 812-339-3306 lhccbloomington.org facebook.com/lighthousecommunitychurchbloomingtonindiana instagram.com/lighthouse_community_ church

Sunday: 9 a.m., 11 a.m.

4001 S. Rogers St. text/call: 812-333-2484 unityofbloomington.org Sunday Celebration: 10:30 a.m. Discover a vibrant, welcoming community at Unity of Bloomington – “a positive path for spiritual living”. Our center offers a space for spiritual growth; embracing all with open arms. We proudly affirm and welcome the LGBTQ+ community, fostering love, acceptance, and inclusion. Join our loving congregation, where everyone is valued and encouraged to explore their spiritual journey. At Unity of Bloomington, all are welcome and together we thrive!

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America St. Thomas Lutheran Church & Rose House LuMin 3800 E. Third St. 812-332-5252 Stlconline.org lcmiu.net Instagram: @hoosierlumin facebook.com/LCMIU facebook.com/StThomasBloomington Sunday: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. @ St. Thomas Lutheran Church 3800 E. Third St. Tuesday: 6:30 p.m. Dinner & Devotions @ Rose House LuMin 314 S. Rose Ave. Rose House LuMin and St. Thomas Lutheran Church invite you to experience life together with us. We are an inclusive Christian community who values the faith, gifts, and ministry of all God’s people. We seek justice, serve our neighbors, and love boldly. Rev. - Adrianne Meier Rev. Amanda Ghaffarian - Campus Pastor

Unity Worldwide Unity of Bloomington A Center for Spiritual Growth 4001 S. Rogers St. text/call: 812-333-2484 unityofbloomington.org IG: @unityofbloomington facebook@UnityofBloomington Sunday Celebration: 10:30 a.m. Discover a vibrant, welcoming community at Unity of Bloomington – “a positive path for spiritual living”. Our center offers a space for spiritual growth; embracing all with open arms. We proudly affirm and welcome the LGBTQ+ community, fostering love, acceptance, and inclusion. Join our loving congregation, where everyone is valued and encouraged to explore their spiritual journey. At Unity of Bloomington, all are welcome and together we thrive! Minnassa Gabon - Spiritual Leader Phyllis Wickliff - Music Director

Redeemer is a gospel-centered community on mission. Our vision is to see the gospel of Jesus Christ transform everything: our lives, our church, our city, and our world. We want to be instruments of gospel change in Bloomington and beyond. Chris Jones - Lead Pastor

United Methodist Jubilee 219 E. Fourth St. 812-332-6396 jubileebloomington.org Facebook: First United Methodist Church of Bloomington, IN Instagram: @jubileebloomington Sunday: 9:30 a.m., Classic Worship 11:45 a.m., Contemporary Worship Wednesday: 7:30 p.m., College & Young Adult Dinner Jubilee is a Christ-centered community open and affirming to all. We gather on Wednesdays at First United Methodist (219 E. 4th St.) for free food, honest discussion, worship, and hanging out. Small groups, service projects, social events (bonfires, game nights, book clubs, etc.), outreach retreats, and leadership opportunities all play a significant role in our rhythm of doing life together. Markus Dickinson - jubilee@fumcb.org

St. Mark’s United Methodist Church 100 N. State Rd. 46 812-332-5788 smumc.church facebook.com/BloomingtonStMarksUMC instagram: @stmarksbloomington Sunday: 10:30 a.m., Worhsip Mon. - Fri: Office Hours: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. St. Mark’s United Methodist Church of Bloomington, Indiana is an inclusive community, bringing Christ-like love, healing, and hope to all. We embrace the United Methodist ideal of open hearts, open minds, and open doors by welcoming those of all races, cultures, faith traditions, sexual orientations, and gender identities. Rev. John Huff - Pastor Rev. Dr. Eve Mugambi - Pastor

Sunday: 9 a.m., Empowerment Classes (for all ages) 10:30 a.m., Service Wednesday: 7 p.m., Bible Study Lighthouse Community Church is mandated, by the Word of God, to fulfill the Great Commission by winning lost souls to Christ and empowering the believer to grow in Christ through prayer, study of the Holy Bible, and life application teaching. All are welcome! Transportation is available. Senior Pastor - Derek L. House Assistant Pastor - Clarence W. Boone

Presbyterian (Evangel) Trinity Reformed Church 2401 S. Endwright Rd. 812-825-2684 trinityreformed.org instagram.com/trinityreformed facebook.com/trinitychurchbloom Sunday: 9 a.m., Worship 10:45 a.m., Worship We are a Reformed Protestant church on the west side of Bloomington with two lively worship services on Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m., home groups, and a college age group called The Mix (a group of young adults who are both attending college and beyond). Jody Killingsworth - Lead Pastor Max Curell - Shepherding Pastor Stephen Baker - Discipleship Pastor

Sept. 3, 2026 | Indiana Daily Student | idsnews.com

MEN’S SOCCER

How Indiana men’s soccer built a worldwide roster By Noah Boudouris

nboudour@iu.edu | @noahboudouris

Soccer is the world’s sport. With FIFA’s 211 current members surpassing the 197 sovereign nations recognized by the United States, there truly isn’t a corner of the known world without soccer. Homegrown talent has undoubtedly grown the game in the United States, as was seen during this summer’s World Cup, in which an average of 7.737 million American viewers tuned in during each of Fox’s 104 broadcasts — 4.149 million more than 2022 — ESPN reported. However, true soccer fans know the best players in the world are from outside the states. The state of American soccer has shifted increasingly in the international direction at the professional and collegiate levels. The rise in international talent has impacted Indiana men’s soccer just as it has across the nation. International talent has always been an element of American soccer, but it’s rarely housed the world’s best. However, in 2023, soccer legend and Argentine-born Lionel Messi joined MLS’ Inter Miami CF and boosted the club’s revenue exponentially. The estimated $56 million the club generated in 2022 jumped to $200 million in 2025, according to ESPN. Through international competition and the growth of the United States’ domestic league, the country has be-

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come a much more ideal soccer destination than just half a decade ago. However, on a much quieter scale, international talent has also dramatically changed the world of college soccer, and Indiana men’s soccer has jumped on the overseas bandwagon. The NCAA and overseas soccer In 2018, Elon University associate professor Ryan Kirk estimated that the percentage of collegiate soccer players whose hometown was outside of the United States sat under 10% in 2003. This percentage has grown every year since and now sits between 34-38%, Sportico reported. This rapid integration of talent has not only resulted in an increase in foreign players across the board, but also a heavier concentration of overseas footballers at the top of college soccer. In last season’s NCAA tournament, a staggering 40.9% of roster spots were taken by international players. Some teams, such as runner-up North Carolina State University, filled nearly half of its starting lineup with foreign players. This worldwide spread doesn’t just bring in fresh faces and flags, but also unseen playstyles. It’s no secret that soccer is not the same in every country. As American soccer becomes increasing less domestic, the style of college soccer becomes a melting pot of the beautiful game.

Indiana’s foreign imports In Indiana’s 1-0 victory over Butler University on Aug. 27, the Hoosiers gave minutes to three foreignborn players, in addition to senior forward Oliver MollerJensen who, while born in Atlanta, spent much of his childhood in Denmark. Five Hoosiers on this year’s roster were born outside the United States. Five years ago, that number was just one. “We see it around the country with all divisions of soccer,” head coach Todd Yeagley said following the team’s victory over Butler. “The modern roster build means you have a little bit of everything. Not to say that you can’t do it all domestically... we’ve always had a few international (players). Maybe now we’re a little more intentional about it.” The international players don’t just fill spots on the roster, but they actually represent the best that Indiana has to offer. Stephane Njike, the French-born junior striker, was Indiana’s top transfer last offseason by way of 21 points at the University of Maryland in 2025. “I think they feel special because it’s a team primarily of domestic players,” Yeagley said. “Our international (players) have an even better special feel here versus a team that’s all international where they’re kind of just one of many.” Njike did not come to Bloomington straight from

IDS FILE PHOTO

Then-juniors forward Collins Oduro and junior midfielder Jacopo Fedrizzi run down the field together during a game against the University of Michigan on Sept. 13, 2025, at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington. Oduro made his 2026 season debut Aug. 27 against Butler University.

France. The former Terrapin spent time at Marshall University, Long Island University and Maryland, making his recruitment to Indiana much easier on the Hoosier coaching staff. “We’re looking to add more,” Yeagley said. “There’s an adjustment period for the international (players) so getting them to in as a transfer is a little bit easier. They’re already kind of in the American system, they learned college, they know the ins and outs.” Collins Oduro, a Ghanaian senior forward, has 12 career goals as a Hoosier, more than anyone else on the active roster. Unlike Njike, Oduro came straight from Ghana, forcing himself into

an awkward adjustment as a freshman. Oduro is not the lone Ghana-born player on the Hoosier roster, as freshman forward Michael Adu-Gyamfi has provided meaningful minutes in his first season in Bloomington, despite having yet to record a point. While he is not officially a foreign-born player, MollerJensen represents a foreign brand of soccer reflective of his time in Denmark. Moller-Jensen already has three goals and two assists in his first season at Indiana, as his eight total points lead the team. When redshirt junior Jacopo Fedrizzi returns from injury, the Italian midfielder will

join his European counterpart, redshirt senior midfielder Alex Matthews. The Englishman was Indiana’s primary corner kicker against Butler. As Indiana moved to 3-00 following the win over Butler, arguably the highlight of the evening was not on the field, but in the stands; as Hoosier faithful saw the season debut of Oduro and the Indiana debut of Njike, the Ghanaian and French flags flew in the student section to welcome them. “We have a great student body,” Yeagley said. “We have a good international influence here and I think for them to get excited about someone from their country is wonderful. Our players love it.”

the IDS for your directory of local religious services, or go online anytime at idsnews.com/religious For membership in the Indiana Daily Student Religious Directory, please contact ads@idsnews.com.

Society of Friends (Quaker) Bloomington Friends Meeting 3820 E. Moores Pike bloomingtonfriendsmeeting.org Sunday (in person & by Zoom): 9:45 a.m., Hymn singing 10:30 a.m., Meeting for Worship Children’s program available We practice traditional Quaker worship, gathering in silence with occasional Spirit-led vocal ministry by fellow worshipers. We are an inclusive community with a rich variety of belief and no prescribed creed. We are actively involved in peace action, social justice causes, and environmental concerns. All are welcome. Rex Sprouse, Clerk rsprouse@iu.edu

Bahá'í Faith Bloomington Bahá'í Community and Bahá’í IU Association 424 S. College Mall Rd. 812-331-1863 bloomingtoninbahais.org facebook.com/Baháí-Community-ofBloomington-Indiana-146343332130574 Instagram: @bloomingtonbahai Sunday: 10:40 a.m., Regular Services, Devotional Meetings. Please call or contact through our website for other meetings/activities The Bahá'í Association of IU works to share the Teachings and Principles of the Founder, Bahá'u'lláh, that promote the "Oneness of Mankind" and the Peace and Harmony of the Planet through advancing the "security, prosperity, wealth and tranquility of all peoples." Karen Pollock Dan Enslow

Independent Baptist Lifeway Baptist Church 7821 W. State Road 46 812-876-6072 lifewaybaptistchurch.org facebook.com/lifewayellettsville Sunday: 9 a.m., Bible Study Classes 10 a.m., Morning Service 5 p.m., Evening Service *Free transportation provided. Please call if you need a ride to church. Student Ministry: Meeting for Bible study throughout the month. Contact Rosh Dhanawade at bluhenrosh@gmail.com for more information. Steven VonBokern - Senior Pastor Rosh Dhanawade - IU Coordinator 302-561-0108 bluhenrosh@gmail.com

United Church of Christ and American Baptist Churches-USA

First United Church 2420 E. Third St. 812-332-4439 firstuc.org facebook.com/firstuc instagram.com/firstuc2420 youtube.com/@FirstUCBtown Sunday: 10:30 a.m., Worship Monday: 10 a.m. via Zoom, Bible Study We are an Open, Welcoming, and Affirming community of love and acceptance dedicated to welcoming the diversity of God’s beloved. We exist to empower, challenge, and encourage one another to live out Jesus’ ways (compassion, truth, and justice) authentically as human beings in community to create a better world. Rev. Jessica Petersen-Mutai Senior Minister Rev. Shelli Yoder, Associate Minister

Unitarian Universalist Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington 2120 N. Fee Ln. 812-332-3695 uubloomington.org facebook.com/uubloomington Sunday: 10:30 a.m. via in person or livestream We’re a multi dynamic congregation actively working towards a more just and loving world. We draw inspiration from world religions and diverse spiritual traditions. Our vision is “Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, Changing the World.” A LGBTQA+, Dementia Friendly, Welcoming Congregation to all ages and groups and a Certified Green Sanctuary. Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray

Lutheran (LCMS) University Lutheran Church 607 E. Seventh St. 812-336-5387 indianalutheran.com Sundays: 10 a.m. University Lutheran Church (LCMS) serves students and the Bloomington community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Word and Sacrament. We are located at 7th and Fess, across from Dunn Meadow. We have weekly Divine Services, meals, and other activities. The Student Center is open from 9 a.m. 9 p.m. during the school year. You can study, take a break, cook a meal, or do laundry. For more information, find us at indianalutheran.com, on Instagram (@uluindiana) and on Facebook (ULutheranIU). You have a place here! Timothy Winterstein - Pastor

Episcopal (Anglican)

Non-Denominational

Canterbury Mission

Christ Community Church

719 E. Seventh St. 812-822-1335 IUCanterbury.org facebook.com/ECMatIU Instagram: @ECMatIU Youtube: @canterburyhouseatiu9094

503 S. High St. 812-332-0502 cccbloomington.org/new facebook.com/christcommunitybtown Instagram: @christcommunitybtown

Sunday: 4 p.m. at Canterbury house Wed.: 12:10 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church Canterbury: Assertively open & affirming; unapologetically Christian, we proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ by promoting justice, equality, peace, love and striving to be the change God wants to see in our world. Ed Bird - Chaplain/Priest

Baptist Emmanuel Church 1503 W. That Rd. 812-824-2768 Emmanuelbloom.com Instagram & Facebook: @EmmanuelBloomington Sunday: 9:15 a.m., Fellowship Sunday: 10 a.m., Worship Groups: Various times Emmanuel is a multigenerational church of all types of people. Whether you are questioning faith or have followed Jesus for years, we exist to help fuel a passion for following Jesus as we gather together, grow in community, and go make disciples. John Winders - Lead Pastor

Second Baptist Church 321 N. Rogers St. 812-336-5827 sbcbloomington.org facebook.com/2ndbaptistbloomington youtube.com/@secondbaptist churchbloomington Sunday: 10 a.m., Service (In house and on Facebook/YouTube) Sunday School: 8:45 - 9:45 a.m. Bible Study: Available In House and on Zoom Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m., Thursdays, Noon Please come and worship with us. We are in training for reigning with Christ! Need a ride? Call our Church bus at 812-3271467 before 8 a.m. on Sunday Rev. Dr. Bruce R. Rose - Pastor David Swayze - Associate Pastor Rev. Dr. William Vance - Associate Pastor Tallie Schroeder - Secretary

Sunday: 9:15 a.m., Educational Hour 10:30 a.m., Worship Service We are a diverse community of Christ-followers, including many IU students, faculty and staff. Together we are committed to sharing the redeeming grace and transforming truth of Jesus Christ in this college town. Dan Waugh - Senior Pastor Adam deWeber - Worship Pastor Bob Whitaker - Associate Teaching Pastor

Church of Christ 825 W. Second St. 812-332-0501 facebook.com/w2coc Sunday: 9:30 a.m., Bible Study 10:30 a.m. & 5 p.m., Worship We use no book, but the Bible. We have no creed but His Word within its sacred pages. God is love and as such we wish to share this joy with you. The comprehensive teaching of God’s Word can change you forever.

Buddhist Gaden KhachoeShing Buddhist Monastery 2150 E. Dolan Rd. 812-334-3456 ganden.org facebook.com/khachoeshing Sundays: 10 a.m. - 11 a.m., 2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. Wednesdays: 6 p.m. Gaden KhachoeShing Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery dedicated to preserving authentic Buddhist teachings while fostering wisdom, compassion, and inner peace. Through meditation, Teachings, retreats, and community programs, we provide a welcoming space where people of all backgrounds can explore timeless practices for personal growth and the benefit of society. Jam Yang Suzy Fukerson

Sept. 3, 2026 | Indiana Daily Student | idsnews.com

PHOTO

Indiana men's soccer wins 1-0 over Butler

1 PHOTOS BY KENNEDY HANNAH | IDS

1. Senior forward Bennett Painter fights against his opponent in the game against Butler on Aug. 27, 2026, at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington. Painter transferred to Indiana University this season from Bowling Green State University. 2. Junior forward Easton Bogard reaches for the ball in the game against Butler on Aug. 27, 2026, at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington. Bogard appeared in all 19 matches with four starts last season. 3. Senior defender Alex Barger dribbles against Butler on Aug. 27, 2026, at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington. Barger recorded one goal and one assist last season.

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4. Freshman forward Dempsey Resich gets on one knee at the game against Butler on Aug. 27, 2026, at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington. The Hoosiers continued their winning streak, 3-0-0, after their win against the Bulldogs. 5. Redshirt senior midfielder Alex Matthews and grad student midfielder Wes Carnevale hug at the game against Butler on Aug. 27, 2026, at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington. Matthews assisted in the first and only goal of the match. 6. Senior defender Alex Barger chases the ball in the match against Butler on Aug. 27, 2026, at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington. Barger won the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award last season. 7. Junior forward Easton Bogard runs during the game against Butler on Aug. 27, 2026, at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington. Bogard was Academic All Big Ten last season.

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Sept. 3, 2026 | Indiana Daily Student | idsnews.com

What to know before you go

ILLUSTRATION BY EVELYN STRAUSS

How to make the most of the Indiana football season By Lily Saylor saylorl@iu.edu

After a historic undefeated season, the 2026-27 Indiana football season is about to begin. This is what you need to know to have a seamless experience cheering on the Hoosiers.

IDS FILE PHOTO

Hoosier the Bison rides a bike before a game against UCLA on Oct. 25, 2025, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. The Hoosiers defeated the Bruins 56-6.

IDS FILE PHOTO

Fans crowd in a lot during a tailgate before a game against Illinois on Sept. 20, 2025, outside of Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. Tailgate lots are located near Memorial Stadium.

Tickets The 2026-27 Indiana football season tickets are currently sold out, and fans are directed to join the official season ticket waitlist for updates on availability. However, resale tickets are available on SeatGeek, IU’s only official resale marketplace. This season, Indiana Athletics changed the process of purchasing season tickets for students, now allowing tickets for only five of the eight home games. Now, students must claim tickets to games in three claim periods. The first claim period occurred Aug. 12-13 and the second claim period occurred Aug. 26-27, allowing students to select two out of the three home games in that period to attend. The final claim period is Sept. 30-Oct. 1, allowing students to claim either the Oct. 17 game against Ohio State or the Nov. 14 game against USC. Previously, students were allowed to attend every home game with a season pass. Parking Navigating parking on game days can be overwhelming. Fortunately, there are several parking options. Grass lot parking opens a minimum of five hours before kickoff and is located in The Grass Reserved, Park Avenue and Forrest Avenue grass lots just south of Memorial Stadium. You must obtain a parking pass in advance to park in these spaces. While parking passes are sold out, resale tickets can be purchased at SeatGeek.

IDS FILE PHOTO

Fans cheer on Indiana football in a game against Nebraska on Oct. 19, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. The Hoosiers ranked No. 6 in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 Poll.

Don't have a parking pass? Parking is available at the Union Street Grass Lot, the Union Court Grass Lot and the Fee Lane Garage for $50 per car first-come, firstserved. The Atwater Garage offers free parking with a game-day shuttle available up to three hours before the game and two hours after. For a smoother parking experience, download the Waze app, which integrates with Indiana Athletics traffic pattern and leads you straight to your gate. Tailgating If you are interested in tailgating prior to the game, make sure to follow the rules and be respectful and courteous. Ensure that you are not blocking the drive aisle or occupying extra spaces with your tailgate. No weapons, box trucks, outside catering services or littering are permitted. Tailgating spaces are available in designated grass fields and lots near Memorial Stadium. Inside the stadium Once inside Memorial Stadium, there are some rules you need to follow to ensure everyone has a

safe experience and moves through security more efficiently. Patrons are permitted one small clutch and one clear bag. Any larger bags, like backpacks or large totes, are not allowed unless you have necessary medical equipment or diaper bags that pass inspection. Diaper bag inspections are conducted at east side gates E2 or E4 and west side gates W2 or W3. If you get hungry during the game, there are several food and beverage locations inside the stadium. Options include Indiana Sausage Haus, BuffaLouie’s and Chocolate Moose — my personal favorite is Everbowl. Concessions are cashless; credit cards, as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay, are accepted. Homecoming The Homecoming parade begins at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 30. The parade route starts at Washington Street and ends at Sample Gates. The Homecoming game against Minnesota takes place Oct. 31; the kickoff time has not been announced. For more information about Indiana football, visit the Indiana University Athletics website.

Sept. 3, 2026 | Indiana Daily Student | idsnews.com

PHOTO

No. 16 Indiana falls to No. 7 Louisville

2 1

3 KATHERINE MANERS | IDS

1. Sophomore outside hitter Jaidyn Jager spikes the ball during a match against the University of Louisville on Aug. 28, 2026, at the L&N Federal Credit Union Arena in Louisville, Kentucky. Jager had a hit percentage of –0.032. 2. Sophomore middle blocker Victoria Gray and a player from the University of Louisville reach for the ball during their match on Aug. 28, 2026, at the L&N Federal Credit Union Arena in Louisville, Kentucky. Gray has a hit percentage of 0.231.

4 BLISS

HARRY BLISS

CROSSWORD

3. The Indiana volleyball team tries to save a ball during their match against the University of Louisville on Aug. 28, 2026, at the L&N Federal Credit Union Arena in Louisville, Kentucky. The Hoosiers had a total of 26 kills and digs during the match. 4. Junior defensive specialist Emma Segal cheers on her team during a match against the University of Louisville on Aug. 28, 2026, at the L&N Federal Credit Union Arena in Louisville, Kentucky. Segal dug up three balls during the match.

LA TIMES

Publish your comic on this page. The IDS is accepting applications for student comic strips for the fall 2026 semester. Email five samples and a brief description of your idea to adviser@iu.edu. Submissions will be reviewed and selections will be made by the editor-in-chief.

SUDOKU

THE MEPHAM GROUP

Difficulty level 3 out of 4

BREWSTER ROCKIT: SPACE GUY!

TIM RICKARD

Sept. 3, 2026 | Indiana Daily Student | idsnews.com

VOLLEYBALL

Indiana striving to improve on historic 2025 By Savannah Slone

srslone@iu.edu | @savrivers06

There wasn’t one single moment when Indiana volleyball head coach Steve Aird knew that his 2025 squad would be special. His confidence in his team grew gradually; there were checkpoints. The first indicator was the Hoosiers’ first match of the season at the University of Miami, when after losing the first two sets, Indiana pulled off a reverse sweep for its first win of the season. The next was Indiana’s Big Ten road trip in early October. After winning their first two conference matches, the Hoosiers traveled to the West Coast to take on then-No. 17 USC and thenNo. 24 UCLA, where they defeated both California teams 3-1. “That’s hard to do, and really hard to do historically,” Aird said. “So, I felt like not only could we travel and play well on the road, but for a really young team, we just showed a lot of poise and fight. So, probably after that weekend, I was like, ‘OK, I think we've got a chance to have a good year.’” The Hoosiers didn’t just have a “good year” like Aird had thought in early October. They broke multiple program records for arguably the best season in program history. But Indiana believes its best is still ahead. *** When Aird was hired as head coach of Indiana volleyball in December 2017, the Hoosiers had won just one Big Ten game the season prior. They were by no means a volleyball powerhouse like Aird’s alma mater Penn State, which has eight women’s national championship titles and two men’s. Still, he saw the potential. “I always thought that Indiana had a rightful place amongst the best in the country, the best in the nation... but it's taken a long time,” Aird said. “But every single year we've been better and better and better.” In Aird’s first season as Indiana’s head coach in 2018, the Hoosiers won seven Big Ten matches and had a conference win percentage of .350, but they didn’t surpass that mark until 2022. Then, Indiana had a winning percentage of .450, which grew to .550 in 2023 and fell to .400 in 2024. The number rose dramatically in 2025, when Indiana won 14 conference matches for a win percentage of .700, each the highest in program history. Indiana finished 2025 with a 3-0 loss to the Univer-

KAITLYN STACY | IDS

Indiana volleyball players collect themselves before starting their next set in the game against Iowa on Nov. 7, 2025, at Wilkinson Hall in Bloomington. The Hoosiers finished the 2025 season with a 25-8 record.

sity of Texas at Austin in the NCAA Tournament regional semifinals. The defeat put the Hoosiers’ record at 25-8, their best ever. Indiana also finished fifth in the Big Ten standings, which marked its best place in program history. The Hoosiers’ Sweet 16 appearance tied the best in program history, and their No. 13 rank in the final AVCA poll was a program best. Aird’s success with Indiana volleyball has been a slow burn — the opposite of what he said happened with Indiana football and head coach Curt Cignetti’s quick rise to the top in just two seasons — but the turnaround is something he’s proud of. “It hasn't been smooth,” Aird said. “First, you got to stop the rock going down the hill, and then you got to start pushing the rock up the hill. But then you get really good people, and people who believe in what you're doing, and care about you and care about the program, and they help you push the rock, and that's what we've done over the last few years.” Much of Indiana’s 2025 roster was built through a freshman class. Three freshmen consistently slotted into

the starting lineup alongside the veterans, while others played situational roles. Aird said that roster make-up was part of what made last year’s team so successful. The younger players were coming in fresh, and the veterans were motivated to win. While the Hoosiers are still young, four upperclassmen departed the program after last season, including two program greats in outside hitter Candela AlonsoCorcelles and opposite hitter Avry Tatum. Alonso-Corcelles became the winningest player in program history with 77 total wins in four seasons with the Hoosiers and ranks eighth for all-time kills with 1,386. The former Hoosier is now playing professionally in the German Women’s Volleyball League. While Tatum made her exit from Indiana at the end of last season, there is potential for her to return. On July 31, a District Court judge in Colorado granted a preliminary injunction that gives college athletes who graduated high school in 2022 another year of eligibility. However, the injunction was paused in August when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit granted the

NCAA a stay on the July 31 ruling, creating uncertainty around if and when athletes could return. If Tatum becomes eligible for the season, that gap is filled. But even if she doesn’t come back for her fifth year, Aird is confident in the team’s depth. The Hoosiers brought in two experienced players from the transfer portal and have two incoming freshmen to round out their roster after last season's departures. *** Indiana’s mindset going into this season isn’t different than last year’s, either. The Hoosiers’ motto is “Play hard, play fast,” a philosophy Aird has tried to instill into the program for years. “I've always believed in that, like, just having a chip on your shoulder and playing really hard and competing,” Aird said. “And to play fast, I think is how we play... I think speed kills. I don't care if it's football or hockey or basketball, like the faster you can go, the more pressure you put on people.” It’s a perspective that University of Tennessee transfer Kiki Granberry has bought into already.

“We're playing hard, we don't go down without a fight,” the graduate student middle blocker said. “Like, we are fighters, we're scrappy. And then playing fast, like, if you see us, we're playing fast, like, it's going to be hard for other teams to catch up with us in our offense.” While the roster and mindset remain largely the same as last year, expectations inside the program have changed. Yes, Aird said that the goal each season is to develop players, reach each team’s full potential and compete hard against their opponents, but each team is different, and after last season, the bar has raised. Compared to recent seasons, Indiana’s nonconference schedule includes more high-level competition. In their first match, the Hoosiers faced preseason No. 7 University of Louisville on Aug. 28 in Louisville, Kentucky. Two more preseason ranked teams — Texas A&M University and Tennessee — are featured on their nonconference schedule, but the difficult schedule comes with the recent success. “I don't want to dodge anyone,” Aird said. “I want to play the best. And if you're

not good enough, you get back in the lab the next day and you go to work.” The difficult schedule gives the Hoosiers a chance to test their abilities earlier in the season and raise their rating percentage index when it comes time for NCAA Tournament seeding. Aird wants Indiana to challenge itself in the early part of the season, and the Hoosiers are looking to attack, just like they would with any other match. “We talk about having an attack mindset all the time,” sophomore defensive specialist Hannah Leftridge said. “So, we just go into the games, just ready to attack, and we just show them that we play fast, we play hard and just get on them early. Like, we're here for a reason.” Indiana wants to build on its historic season, and, even facing a daunting schedule, Leftridge thinks they can. “We did set a really good bar for ourselves last year,” Leftridge said. “But I think this year, we can go further, and we can just prove to a lot of people that we've arrived, and we're still hunting people down, and we're really good this year, so we definitely have a chance.”

CROSS COUNTRY

Indiana looks to return to NCAA Championships in 2026 By Conor Banks

conbanks@iu.edu | @conorbanks06

Indiana cross country began its 2025 season with promising signs. The Hoosiers finished first at the season-opening Sam Bell Invitational in Bloomington and posted top 10 times at the Spartan Invite Big Ten Preview in East Lansing, Michigan, two weeks later. The Hoosiers finished last season at the Great Lakes Regional Championships last November in Evansville, Indiana. The top two teams from each race — the University of Notre Dame and Wisconsin in the women’s and Notre Dame and Butler University in the men’s — at the championship earned automatic bids to the NCAA Championships. After finishing outside of the top 10 at the Big Ten Championships in both the men’s and women’s races, the championship was Indiana’s last opportunity to salvage its season. But Indiana’s season ended similarly to its previous two: without an NCAA Championships appearance. Indiana placed 19th in the men’s race and 11th in the women’s race at the Great Lakes Regional, missing a chance at an at-large bid to the championships. Now, the Cream and Crimson focus on 2026 and a fresh opportunity to make the NCAA Championships for the first time since 2022.

KATHERINE MANERS | IDS

Members of the Indiana women's cross country team compete in the Sam Bell Invitational on Aug. 29, 2025, in Bloomington. The Hoosiers added 14 total freshmen ahead of the 2026 season, including eight to the women's team.

Indiana’s 2026 roster features a large freshman class with six newcomers on the men’s side and eight on the women’s team. The Hoosiers graduated Nolan Satterfield, who led Indiana with a 24:20:6 time at the Big Ten Championships last year. But the program still returns talent from last

season’s roster. Junior Tony Provenzano is a name to watch for the Hoosiers this season, after being the lone Hoosier named in the Big Ten’s 2026 Runners to Watch List. Junior Dylon Nalley, who led the way for the Hoosiers at the 2025 Great Lakes Regional with a time of

31:13:49, will also be one of the top Indiana returners this season. Nalley also finished with the second fastest mark for a Hoosier and 80th fastest time overall at last year’s Big Ten Championship. Despite an influx of new talent, the women’s team still retains a high level of experience with half of its

20-person roster made up of upperclassmen. Then-junior Lily Myers was a key contributor in 2025, after she paced the Cream and Crimson at the Great Lakes Regional last year, finishing 35th in the event with a time of 20:57:34. Myers now looks to build on her success for her senior season.

Sophomore Ava Jarrell is primed to step forward as a key contributor after a successful freshman season in 2025. Jarrell was named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team after finishing 45th at the Big Ten Championships — the best mark of any Hoosier in the women’s event. The cross country program is led by head coach Eric Heins, who enters his fourth season at the helm. Heins is an experienced coach with a 2016 NCAA Division I Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year award on his resume. Indiana will begin its season by hosting the Sam Bell Invitational on Sept. 4 at the Sam Bell Cross Country Course in Bloomington. Following the home opening meet, the program will then travel to Terre Haute, Indiana, for the John McNichols Invitational on Sept. 19. After the John McNichols Invitational, the Hoosiers will remain in-state with the Notre Dame Joe Piane Invitational on Oct. 2 in South Bend, Indiana, before returning to Terre Haute for the Indiana State Pre-Nationals on Oct. 16. Postseason competition begins with the Big Ten Championships on Oct. 30, followed by the Great Lakes Regional on Nov. 13. The NCAA Championships will take place Nov. 21 at LaVern Gibson Championship XC Course in Terre Haute.

Sept. 3, 2026 | Indiana Daily Student | idsnews.com

FIELD HOCKEY

What to know about field hockey's off-season By Jack Davis

jjd5@iu.edu | @jackdavis0006

Indiana field hockey head coach Kayla Bashore enters her eighth season leading the Hoosiers this year, looking to build on a 9-9 campaign in 2025. Though Indiana finished with a .500 record, the Hoosiers showed they could compete with some of the Big Ten’s top programs with victories over then-No. 10 Maryland and then-No. 18 Ohio State. But Indiana's season came to an end in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament with a loss to No. 3 seed Iowa. With a nine-player recruiting class and several key returners, the Hoosiers shift their focus to the 2026 campaign in hopes of taking the next step forward. In the offseason, Bashore signed freshman midfielder Elle Obenour, freshman forward Helen Grahe, freshman back Jessie Mauro, freshman midfielder Elise Eves, freshman midfielder Gabriela Garayo Aranceta, fifth year for-

ward Karly Redman, freshman forward Agustina Gamonal, freshman goalkeeper Isa Smulders and freshman midfielder Berta Sáenz de Santa María. The group features players from the United States, England, Germany, Spain, Chile and the Netherlands — bringing both international and national team experience to Bloomington. The 2026 recruiting class brings several accomplishments to Bloomington. Obenour finished her high school career with 50 goals and 22 assists in 70 games, while earning 2025 Blossom Valley Athletic League MVP honors and helping Leigh High School win back-to-back league championships. Garayo Aranceta brings experience with the Spanish U18 National Team, helping the team finish first and second at the 2026 Six Nations Tournament. Redman joins Indiana as a fifth-year graduate transfer after earning 2025 MPSF Offensive Player of the Year honors at University of Cali-

fornia, Davis, where she scored eight goals in 16 starts. Smulders recorded seven consecutive clean sheets during the 2023-24 season with SCHC's U16 team. The Hoosiers also return plenty of experience from last season including senior midfielder Inés Garcia Prado, who is coming off an impressive 2025 season with seven goals and recorded nine assists last year. Junior forward Charlotte Glasper also returns after scoring seven goals and recording seven assists for the Hoosiers in 2025. With a mix of returning players and newcomers, Bashore said the team has quickly developed a strong sense of unity. “Everybody on the team really buys into the big goal, whether they’re starting, not starting. Whatever role they’re playing on the team,” Bashore said Aug. 27. The Hoosiers’ first test of the 2026 season came when hosting Miami University — who had a historic run to the Elite Eight last year — in an

exhibition match Aug. 14 at Deborah Tobias Field. Two freshmen players — Garayo Aranceta and Smulders — were part of the starting eleven for Indiana, who struggled to capitalize on opportunities throughout the game, allowing the RedHawks to take a 1-0 lead with one second remaining in the first half on a penalty corner. Miami then held on through regulation, despite Indiana holding 7-4 shots on goal and 10-4 penalty corner advantage. In the overtime period, neither team scored. Indiana managed to best Miami 5-3 in the penalty shootout. “I think we’re in a really great place based on starting that exhibition, playing against a good team, seeing where we were at compared to a really good team,” Bashore said. The Hoosiers concluded their exhibition slate when they faced Ball State University on Aug. 20 in Muncie, Indiana. Indiana will face familiar Big Ten opponents through-

IDS FILE PHOTO

Junior forward/midfield Theresa Ricci takes the ball upfield during Indiana University’s game against the University of Iowa on Sept. 19, 2025, at Deborah Tobias Field. Ricci assisted Charlotte Glasper’s thirdquarter goal.

out the 2026 regular season, including Iowa and Northwestern — two teams the Hoosiers struggled against last season. Indiana will also look to build on its wins over Maryland and Ohio State from 2025 with rematches this season. Other challenging teams on the schedule include No. 14 ranked Michigan at home and No. 17 ranked Rutgers in Pis-

cataway, New Jersey. The Hoosiers will officially open the regular season Aug. 29 against Miami (Ohio) at Trager Stadium in Louisville. The matchup begins Indiana's 16-game regular-season schedule. Indiana’s first home test will be at 3 p.m. on Sept. 4 against the University of New Hampshire at Deborah Tobias Field.

GOLF

Indiana men’s, women’s golf set to begin fall season By Kasey Watkins

kaslwatk@iu.edu | @kaseywatki87731

Indiana Women's Golf For the fourth straight year, Indiana women’s golf will open the season at the Boilermaker Classic, which will run Aug. 31 to Sept. 1 at the Kampen-Cosler Golf Course in West Lafayette, Indiana. Last season, the Hoosiers finished second at the tournament, tallying the seventh-lowest tournament tally in program history. Then-senior Madison Dabagia’s score of 209 (70-72-67; -7) won the event by three strokes. This season, Indiana will look to duplicate its early

season success and carry it throughout the entirety of the 2026-27 season. However, the Hoosiers roster has undergone some changes since May. Indiana lost Dabagia and Maddie May to graduation but returned six players and brought in three new additions. Indiana is led by Brian May, who is entering his fifth year as head coach of the Hoosiers. Prior to joining Indiana, May spent eight years as an assistant coach at the University of Kentucky. May led a highly successful 2025-26 season in which the Hoosiers claimed top five honors in five tourna-

ments. Indiana was selected to the NCAA Simpsonville Regional, marking its second NCAA appearance in the last three seasons. Indiana will look to build on last season’s success as it will play 10 regular season tournaments against quality competition. Following the Hoosier’s season opener at the Boilermaker Classic, Indiana will compete in the Bettie Lou Evans Invitational at the University Club of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky. October will feature three invitationals to round out the fall season. Play will pick back up in February when the Hoosiers compete in the Paradise Invitational

in Boca Raton, Florida, and the Westbrook Invitational in Peoria, Arizona. The Hoosiers will then compete in one March invitational before two tournaments in April ahead of the Big Ten Championships held April 23-25. Indiana Men’s Golf Indiana men’s golf schedule this season will feature 12 regular season events, two individual tournaments and hosting a 2027 NCAA Regional at The Pfau Course in Bloomington. Indiana will open the season at the Visit Knoxville Collegiate from Aug. 31 to Sept. 1 at the Fox Den Country Club in Knoxville,

Tennessee. The Hoosiers will then play back-to-back weekends in September before competing in three invitationals in the month of October. The nine-event spring schedule will kick off with the Battle at Briar’s Creek from Feb. 15-16 in John’s Island, South Carolina. The intensity of the schedule intensifies in March and April as the Hoosiers will compete in seven combined events ahead of the Big Ten Championships. Last season, Indiana finished 16th in the 2026 Big Ten Championships. Since, the Hoosiers lost three from the roster but added two newcomers, while returning

Home Is W h ere YOU MAKE IT

Visit the housing fair to meet with vendors and find your next home.

Tuesday, Oct. 6 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. IMU Alumni Hall

seven. Indiana is led by 29-year head coach Mike Mayer. Over the years, he has led the Hoosiers to 13 NCAA Regional Appearances. The 2025-26 season started with a third-place finish at the Rod Myers Invitational, but an injury to then-redshirt senior and captain of the team Clay Merchent hurt the Hoosiers as he was the team's low scorer of the season. Indiana went on to earn three more top 10 finishes but was unable to secure a spot in the NCAA Regional. The Hoosiers will look to build upon last year and get back to the NCAA Regionals this season.