featured

IU Football Players and Fans Share the Love In Freezing Memorial Stadium

History has been made. Indiana University capped off an undefeated football season and national championship win with a celebration at Memorial Stadium. Despite freezing temperatures, plenty of fans and big-time performers attended the event.

Steve Hinnefeld Kathryn Coers Rossman

Steve Hinnefeld, Kathryn Coers Rossman

Hoosier the Bison, IU's Spirit Squad, and fans all gather at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, January 24, 2026, to celebrate the
Hoosier the Bison, IU's Spirit Squad, and fans all gather at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, January 24, 2026, to celebrate the IU football team's undefeated national championship season. | Photo by Kathryn Coers Rossman

A 16–0 record, a national championship, and a lifetime’s worth of highlight reels: You might think Indiana’s football season had delivered enough joy, but the fans keep coming back for more. Thousands filed into Memorial Stadium Saturday for one more celebration.

Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza takes the stage at IU Football's National Championship celebration at Memorial Stadium on January 24, 2026.
Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza takes the stage at IU Football's National Championship celebration at Memorial Stadium on January 24, 2026.

Braving single-digit temperatures and an incoming snowstorm, they reveled in superlatives. “Future generations are going to honor these players as the greatest team in the history of college football. These guys right here,” IU Athletic Director Scott Dolson told the crowd.

Don Fischer, the voice of the Hoosiers on radio for 53 years, acted as master of ceremonies for the 40-minute party. IU President Pamela Whitten spoke to a mix of cheers and boos. Coach Curt Cignetti accepted awards and quipped that IU may need a bigger trophy case.

IU players, including quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, took turns thanking the fans for their support. John Mellencamp, a longstanding donor to Indiana athletics, sang his 1982 hit “Hurts So Good,” a sort of anthem for the team, while players Elijah Sarratt, Omar Cooper Jr., and Pat Coogan shared the mic and sang along.

For fans of a certain age, the perfect season evoked 50-year-old memories of the 1975–76 IU men’s basketball team, the last squad to go undefeated and win a Division I title. IU is now one of just two schools, along with UCLA, to go unbeaten and win a national title in both sports. It’s only the second team to go 16–0 in football, after Yale in 1894.

But Indiana has long been known as a basketball school. Football was mostly an exercise in frustration until Cignetti arrived in 2024. His first team went 11–2 and made the College Football Playoffs for IU’s first time. Then came the championship.

“Chapter 3,” Cignetti told the crowd Saturday, “begins tomorrow.”

National Championship Celebration

Photojournalist Kathryn Coers Rossman followed the IU football team through their entire season. On Saturday, she endured freezing temperatures to capture the celebration of their national championship win, including John Mellencamp's singalong with the team.

Coach Curt Cignetti walks onto the field amidst the festivities — and the media — at IU's celebration for his undefeated football team. | Photo by Kathryn Coers Rossman
Coach Curt Cignetti walks onto the field amidst the festivities — and the media — at IU's celebration for his undefeated football team.
A young fan smiles despite the cold at the "Natty Celebration" at IU's Memorial Stadium. | Photo by Kathryn Coers Rossman
A young fan smiles despite the cold at the "Natty Celebration" at IU's Memorial Stadium.
A fan takes pictures of IU's Marching Hundred outside of the stadium. | Photo by Kathryn Coers Rossman
A fan takes pictures of IU's Marching Hundred outside of the stadium.
Indiana University Feature Twirler Sydney Butz leads the Marching Hundred procession during their Saturday performance. | Photo by Kathryn Coers Rossman
Indiana University Feature Twirler Sydney Butz leads the Marching Hundred procession during their Saturday performance.
Indiana University's Spirit Squad peps up the crowd despite freezing temperatures.
Indiana University's Spirit Squad peps up the crowd despite freezing temperatures.
The Marching Hundred's drumline keeps the beat during the musical celebration.
The Marching Hundred's drumline keeps the beat during the musical celebration.
The marching band performs "Shout" by The Isley Brothers at the ceremony on Saturday. The physical choreography mimics the song's refrain of "(Shout) a little bit softer now / (Shout) a little bit louder now."
The marching band performs "Shout" by The Isley Brothers at the ceremony on Saturday. The physical choreography mimics the song's refrain of "(Shout) a little bit softer now / (Shout) a little bit louder now."
The Marching Hundred band performs to a crowd of football fans at IU's Memorial Stadium.
The Marching Hundred band performs to a crowd of football fans at IU's Memorial Stadium.
The Spirit Squad is full of enthusiasm. Even inclement weather can't dampen the school spirit after IU's College Football Playoff National Championship win over the Miami Hurricanes.
The Spirit Squad is full of enthusiasm. Even inclement weather can't dampen the school spirit after IU's College Football Playoff National Championship win over the Miami Hurricanes.
Hoosier the Bison rides in style onto the field at Memorial Stadium.
Hoosier the Bison rides in style onto the field at Memorial Stadium.
Fans hold up a Coach Curt Cignetti flag. Cignetti's iconic cold stare became an emblem of determination and victory over the course of the football season.
Fans hold up a Coach Curt Cignetti flag. Cignetti's iconic cold stare became an emblem of determination and victory over the course of the football season.
John Mellencamp sings his 1982 hit “Hurts So Good,” a sort of anthem for the team, while players Elijah Sarratt, Omar Cooper Jr., and Pat Coogan share the mic and sing along.
John Mellencamp sings his 1982 hit “Hurts So Good,” a sort of anthem for the team, while players Elijah Sarratt, Omar Cooper Jr., and Pat Coogan share the mic and sing along.
Fans wear IU-branded winter weather gear on Saturday to keep out the cold while staying in style.
Fans wear IU-branded winter weather gear on Saturday to keep out the cold while staying in style.
What winter storm? Cold weather didn't stop thousands of fans from attending IU's National Championship celebration at Memorial Stadium.
What winter storm? Cold weather didn't stop thousands of fans from attending IU's National Championship celebration at Memorial Stadium.

Read more