Spring game exceeds Glass’ expectations

Heading into this year’s Cream and Crimson Spring Game, IU Athletics Director Fred Glass said he wouldn’t measure success by the number of people in the stands. 

He had no hard numbers to compare it to — because previous administrations didn’t count attendance — but Glass said the turnout was obviously better than it normally was, and he’s ecstatic to see 5,325 people in the stands.

“I was very hopeful because of all the progress we made, but the game exceeded my expectations,” he said. “It was a game-like atmosphere, and I couldn’t have asked for anything better.”

The atmosphere didn’t go unnoticed by the players during the 17-10 Crimson victory. As fans spilled onto the Memorial Stadium field for an autograph session Saturday night, players were in unanimous agreement that the fans added some extra excitement into the game.

The fans themselves were generally in agreement with the players. With a kids zone filled with inflatables and hundreds of volunteers collecting recycles, Glass said fans’ anecdotes were positive. 

As he took his dog Murphy to the Bark in the Park area, the crowd there told them they wouldn’t have come to the game if they hadn’t read about it. He said he was happy with how all the programs shook out, and as he builds on that for future tilts, he said communication would need to be improved.

“People won’t know to come out if they don’t see something about it,” Glass said.

- Ryan Winn