IUSF changes mind, will allow alumni coaches in pits during Little 500

The IU Student Foundation will allow alumni coaches to coach in the pits during Little 500.\nIn an e-mail sent to Little 500 riders and alumni coaches, IUSF Director Jenny Bruffey wrote that the foundation will allow alumni coaches to “encourage the continued involvement of the many supportive Little 500 alumni and volunteers.”\nTeams can have either or both an alumni and student coach in the pit on race day, according to the e-mail.\nPreviously, only student coaches were permitted in the pits during the race.\nEarlier this year, IUSF implemented a student-coaching initiative that barred nonstudent coaches from participating in the pits on race day.\nIn September, IUSF officials defended the initiative, saying it would help increase student leadership positions.\nRiders and alumni coaches criticized IUSF for not discussing the initiative before its implementation.\nIn September, Bruffey told the Indiana Daily Student that “we're not going to not implement this initiative this year. In our minds, it's not something that's up for discussion.”\nThe move comes on the eve of Little 500 Qualifications, which begin at 8 a.m. Saturday at Bill Armstrong Stadium.