Indiana University Football gets major gift from Jay Wilkinson for Football only weight room
IU Football will soon have a football-only weight facility in Memorial Stadium’s North End Zone facility. The new dedicated football-only weight facility, which was made possible following a major gift from IU alumnus Jay Wilkinson, will be part of the W. Jay and Nancy Wilkinson Performance Center in Memorial Stadium. Planning for the new space is now underway, with the project expected to be completed by early 2024. “We are very appreciative of Jay’s long-standing support and commitment to positively impacting our student-athletes,” said IU Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Dolson. “This project will not only provide our football student-athletes with the necessary equipment and space to maximize their abilities and opportunities as IU student-athletes, but also the flexibility to use the space 24/7, 365 days a year.”
“As a passionate supporter of Indiana University and its student-athletes, I know how important it is to have access to the type of facilities that give students the chance to maximize their abilities,” Wilkinson said. “It’s been wonderful to see the overhaul of IU Athletics’ facilities in recent years. I feel privileged to be able to play a part in that effort, and to support the amazing student-athletes who so proudly represent this great university.” One of IU Athletics’ most loyal and generous supporters, Wilkinson has a long track record of making difference-making gifts to positively impact the opportunities for IU student-athletes. In 2017, he made a $10 million gift that made the construction of Wilkinson Hall possible. In 2012, he made a $1 million gift for the renovation of the North End Zone’s strength and conditioning facility. Following that gift, the space was renamed the W. Jay and Nancy Wilkinson Performance Center in recognition of his support. The W. Jay and Nancy Wilkinson Performance Center is one of the largest strength and conditioning centers in the country. Located at field level of Memorial Stadium, it is a 25,000 square foot area that first opened in 2009.
Indiana Volleyball at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago
The Indiana volleyball trio of head coach Steve Aird, junior Camryn Haworth and senior Grae Gosnell will head to Chicago and the Big Ten Network studios today for the Second Annual Big Ten Volleyball Media Days. Introduced for the first-time last year, the Big Ten’s in-person volleyball media days is a one-of-a-kind experience in NCAA women’s volleyball, allowing coaches and athletes from the conference’s 14 programs to meet with media and television personalities ahead of the 2023 season. Seven teams Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska Northwestern, Ohio State and Purdue will go through all media rotations today while Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, Penn State Rutgers and Wisconsin will participate on Wednesday. A dinner for all student athletes and coaches will take place this evening. All teams will go through a variety of stations which includes a studio interview, Big Ten Network specific interviews, social media stations, a photoshoot and interviews with the NCAA, ESPN and other media outlets in attendance.
The Big Ten, which will see over 50 volleyball matches broadcasted on the Big Ten Network this season, has shown an increased commitment to growing a sport that has continued to reach new heights in the conference. IU experienced an outstanding season last year with a 16-16 overall record and a 9-11 finish in conference. An eighth-place finish in the Big Ten was the highest since the conference expanded to 14 teams and the nine wins were the most since 2010. The Hoosiers return 12 athletes this season and add Under Armour All-American libero Ramsey Gary and Cincinnati transfer and opposite hitter Avry Tatumto a deep and talented roster. IU begins fall camp on August 8th and the regular season with a home match against New Hampshire on Friday, August 25th.
Indiana University Athletics to host Second Women’s Excellence Symposium August 23rd
The highly sought-after mother-and-daughter motivational speaking team of Barb Schmidt and Michelle Maros will serve as the keynotes at IU Athletics’ second annual Women’s Excellence Symposium on Aug. 23 in Bloomington. Schmidt and Maros are lifelong IU fans who are best known for their mental health related social media videos that reach millions of people each week. They are also the co-founders of the nonprofit Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life, which is dedicated to improving mental health and bringing mindful teachings to the global community, as well as the co-hosts of the ‘Barb Knows Best’ podcast, which tackles a wide array of mental health related topics.
The Women’s Excellence Symposium is open to the public and will serve as an opportunity for IU alumni, fans, and friends to gather for a day of camaraderie and connection in support of IU’s varsity women’s athletic programs and student-athletes. It is a feature component of IU Athletics Women’s Excellence Initiative, which was launched in 2021 with the express goal of providing the financial and personnel resources to enhance the student-athlete experience for IU’s 300-plus female student athletes and 13 women’s varsity programs. A limited number of general public tickets are available and can be purchased here.
All symposium events will take place in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m., followed by a welcome from Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Dolson. Highlighting the afternoon activities are a series of breakout sessions on topics ranging from leadership to self-care to nutrition. At the conclusion of the breakouts, all participants will be invited to a networking reception and then a group photo opportunity. IU President Pamela Whitten will also be a featured guest at the event, and she will deliver the event’s remarks preceding the keynote address at 6:15pm.
“After a highly-successful inaugural symposium a year ago, we are excited to welcome Barb and Michelle for this year’s event,” said Dolson. “The goal of Women’s Excellence is to support our student-athletes not only academically and athletically, but personally. Mental health is such a critical piece of that effort, and I am thrilled to be able to have two individuals who make that the focus of their efforts. I know that they have impacted so many people all around the world with their work, and I am very excited for the Symposium attendees to be able to benefit from their words and wisdom.”
An international best-selling author, ‘Peaceful Barb’ Schmidt has been a practitioner of mindfulness and meditation for nearly 40 years. In 2011, she co-founded the nonprofit Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life with her daughter, Michelle Maros, who is an Indiana University graduate in Journalism. As part of the non-profit’s mission, they create viral videos on their Instagram account @peacefulmindpeacefullife, which has 1.9 million followers. In 2022 they launched the ‘Barb Knows Best’ podcast, which has quickly become one of the most popular and highly-reviewed Health & Fitness podcasts. Across all platforms, they impact more than 11 million people worldwide.
About IU Women’s Excellence-The mission of Indiana University Athletics Women’s Excellence is to raise private support to elevate our 13 women’s varsity sports and to enhance the overall student-athlete experience of IU’s female student-athletes. We aspire to empower our IU women to develop athletically, academically, and personally while they are IU students so that they can excel in all aspects of life once they graduate. Funds raised for Indiana Women’s Excellence will be directed to critical needs and timely opportunities that require resources outside the normal operating budget. These expenditures are often what create the margin of excellence that provides a competitive advantage for Indiana’s varsity teams. Areas of focus include capital projects, foreign tours, student-athlete experience, career development, and team building. For more information on Women’s Excellence, please visit: https://iuvarsityclub.com/womensexcellence
Indiana University Football’s Sean Wracher named to Patrick Manneley Preseason Watch List
The Patrick Mannelly Award is built for the unsung hero: long snappers. Indiana football long snapper Sean Wracher, one of the nation’s best at the position, is part of the 25-person preseason watch list for the award. The Patrick Mannelly Award is presented to the overall best long snapper at the Division I FBS level. The winner must be of senior standing, have started 75% of games in his senior year, snap on punts and placements, and demonstrate a strong mentality, notable athleticism, as well as speed, accuracy, and consistency in their snaps.
A 2022 semifinalist for the Mannelly Award, Wracher is a three-time Phil Steele All-Big Ten selections (2020, 2021, 2022). He has handled the long snapping duty in all 45 career games and helped three teammates earn all-conference honors, as both punter Haydon Whitehead (honorable mention) and place kicker Logan Justus (second team) earned All-Big Ten honors in 2019 and place kicker Charles Campbell (second team) garnered All-B1G in 2020. A three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, Wracher’s work helped Whitehead to a spot as a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award after he averaged 43.4 yards per punt to sit No. 4 on IU’s single-season list.
Named after Patrick Mannelly, widely known as the best long snapper in the modern NFL era, he was a four-year starter at long snapper and two-year starter at offensive line at Duke University before being drafted by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the 1998 NFL Draft. Mannelly is the Bears career leader in games played at 245, the longest tenured Chicago Bear after playing 16 seasons, and a recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award. From the 25-preson preseason watch list, ten semi-finalists will be announced on November 14. Those names will be narrowed to three finalists on November 28 and the winner will be selected at the ceremony in Lake Bluff, Illinois on December 10.
The award, which is presented by William Blair, benefits Bernie’s Book Bank, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing book ownership among at-risk children. Bernie’s Book Bank achieves this mission by providing 12 free books annually to empower under-served children to read their way to a better life. Since 2009, Bernie’s Book Bank has distributed more than 19 million books to children ages birth through sixth grade; this year alone they will provide 2.2 million books to thousands of local under-served children. For more information about Bernie’s Book Bank, visit berniesbookbank.org.
Indiana University Volleyball picked to finish Eighth in the Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten conference released its’ preseason All-Conference Team and Team Poll, as selected by the coaches, ahead of the second annual Big Ten Media Days Today and Tomorrow at the Big Ten Network Studios in Chicago. Four-time defending Big Ten champions Wisconsin were selected as the preseason favorite followed by Nebraska, Minnesota, Penn State and Purdue. Indiana was picked eighth by the conference’s coaches, its highest-ever selection in a preseason poll since the Big Ten began ranking all 14 programs ahead of the season. The Hoosiers will speak today at Big Ten Media Days, represented by head coach Steve Aird, senior outside hitter/defensive specialist Grae Gosnell and junior setter and preseason All-Big Ten selection Camryn Haworth.
2023 Big Ten Volleyball Preseason All-Conference Team- Haworth is IU’s first preseason selection since 2010.
| Name | School | Year | Position | Hometown |
| Raina Terry | Illinois | Sr. | Outside Hitter | Marengo, Ohio |
| Camryn Haworth | Indiana | Jr. | Setter | Fishers, Ind. |
| Taylor Landfair | Minnesota | Jr. | Outside Hitter | Plainfield, Ill. |
| Kylie Murr | Minnesota | Sr. | Libero | Yorktown, Ind. |
| Melani Shaffmaster | Minnesota | Sr. | Setter | New Castle, Ind. |
| Lexi Rodriguez * | Nebraska | Jr. | Libero/Defensive Specialist | Sterling, Ill. |
| Emily Londot | Ohio State | Sr. | Opposite | Utica, Ohio |
| Rylee Rader | Ohio State | Sr. | Middle Blocker | Louisville, Ky. |
| Jess Mruzik | Penn State | Sr. | Outside Hitter | Livonia, Mich. |
| Mac Podraza * | Penn State | Gr. | Setter | Sunbury, Ohio |
| Eva Hudson * | Purdue | So. | Outside Hitter | Fort Wayne, Ind. |
| Carter Booth | Wisconsin | So. | Middle Blocker | Denver, Colo. |
| Sarah Franklin | Wisconsin | Jr. | Outside Hitter | Lake Worth, Fla. |
| Devyn Robinson | Wisconsin | Sr. | Opposite | Ankeny, Iowa |
| Temi Thomas-Ailara | Wisconsin | Gr. | Outside Hitter | Glennwood, Ill. |
* unanimous selections
2023 Big Ten Preseason Poll- IU’s eighth-place selection is the highest in a conference preseason poll since the Big Ten began ranking all 14 programs.
1. Wisconsin, 2. Nebraska, 3. Minnesota, 4. Penn State, 5. Purdue, 6. Ohio State, 7. Illinois, 8. Indiana, 9. Maryland, T10. Michigan, T10. Northwestern, 12. Michigan State, 13. Iowa and 14. Rutgers
Indiana Fever fall at home to Seattle Storm
The Indiana Fever reduced a 25-point deficit to six points in the third quarter against the Seattle Storm, but ultimately fell to Seattle at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday afternoon, 85-62. All-Star guard Kelsey Mitchell led the Indiana scorers as she netted 19 points on 3-of-6 shooting from 3-point range, to go along with five assists. Rookie center Aliyah Boston followed behind with 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the floor. Boston also pulled down seven rebounds and recorded two steals. Erica Wheeler contributed nine points and dished out five assists for Indiana, while Victoria Vivians added seven points and six rebounds. Rookie forward Victaria Saxton recorded her first field goal of her career on a three-point jumper in the second quarter. After a career-best 10 minutes of playing time, she ended the night with a career-high five points. Former Indiana University Star Grace Berger did not score in 13 minutes as she played in front of her former Head Coach Teri Moren and teammates as the Hoosiers were honored at Halftime after their historic season going 28-4 and winning their first Big Ten Regular Season Championship since 1983. Berger was 0-1 from the field and committed 3 turnovers.
Seattle opened the matchup with a quick five points, but Indiana immediately responded with a 9-0 run of its own to take the lead for nearly three minutes. Led by Wheeler’s five points and Boston’s four points, both on a perfect 2-of-2 shooting clip, the Fever ended the first frame shooting 50.0 percent from the floor (7-of-14). Indiana’s sole lead of the game was taken away at the 4:21 mark when Seattle began a 17-6 scoring run to end the quarter ahead, 24-17. The Storm extended the lead to as many as 25 points in the second frame, increasing the scoring run to 30-8 after another roughly six minutes of play in the second quarter. Indiana’s shooting woes continued in the first half going 10-of-33 from the floor and 2-of-9 from three-point range in the first half, and trailed, 47-27, going into the locker room.
Following its lowest-scoring second quarter of the season, Indiana opened the third frame with an 8-0 scoring run to cut into the deficit. Highlighted by Mitchell’s eight points and Boston’s seven points on 3-of-3 shooting from the floor, Indiana eventually extended the run to 20-8 allowing it to reduce Seattle’s 20-point halftime lead to as few as six points on one occasion. After trailing by 11 points at the end of the third quarter, the Fever were outscored in the fourth quarter, 23-11, as the Storm finished the game on a 26-9 scoring run and shot 60 percent (9-of-15) from the floor.
Seattle recorded its highest field goal percentage of the year as it shot 53.4 percent (31-of-58) from the floor and 50 percent (12-of-24) from beyond the arc. The Storm attack was led by WNBA All-Star MVP Jewell Loyd’s 26 points on 7-of-15 shooting from the floor. Loyd also dished out a season-high eight assists to help the Storm tie its regular-season best this season 23 assists. Rookie guard Jordan Horston came off the bench to record 15 points on 7-of-11 shooting, while pulling down six rebounds. Gabby Williams followed behind with 14 points, four assists and a game-high three steals. The Fever return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse tonight at 7pm to take on the Phoenix Mercury and tonight’s game will be broadcast on the official Indiana Fever Facebook page.
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