We Were Right (20 Years Early)

TWENTY YEARS.

That's how long it's been since Defend the Rock debuted. 

Forgotten? Perhaps.

Misbegotten? Not a chance.

Indiana Hoosiers – Winners of the College Football National Championship.

Mission Accomplished. Defend(ed) the Rock indeed.

Now where's our trophy?

Hoosier Pride, Common Courtesy, And Let's Say An Illinois Fan

So there I was, late at night (or early in the morning?) with one of my friends at a beloved Mexican restaurant of mine. A few cute girls were making it clear they went to Kentucky, and to strike up conversation I playfully gave them a tough time, namely citing my Hoosier fandom, and Kentucky's recent troubles.

Now we were having a good time chatting it up, but alas their food came, I had a friend waiting, and I'm unemployed, so why even bother? Upon sitting back down a early/mid-twenties guy walked up to my table and said to me "Sports fan are ya?" Naturally I replied affirmatively, kindly stating the great pride I have in my beloved Hoosiers and subsequently my love for the Cardinals. Let's just say that this did not go over well...

The stumbling-drunk guy grew agitated and upset with my response. He started talking trash and using some rather unfortunate words of which is Lincoln Park girlfriend promptly mouthed "I'm sorry" to me for. Eventually came the threats of personal violence against me (please note: at this point I had pretty much just said where I went to school and what teams I liked, and restated said preferences, and more or less just wanted to eat my Mexican food). Let's go to the tape:

Guy: So whattaya gonna do if I hit you?
Me: Hey man, I'm cool with you, I just want to chat w/ my friend and eat my food
Guy: What are you gonna do?
Me: Honestly, I'd file a police report, probably resulting in a criminal charge of assault being levied against you. Plus I'd file a civil suit against you, and might as well throw in requests for damages relating to mental anguish and the like. (note: I have no knowledge of how the law in this case works and I'm sure everything I said was BS, but whatever).
Guy: Oh, so you're a P***y you f*****g Indiana fan.

It got to the point where I kept saying that yes I was both (a p***y and an IU fan) after each repeated accusation and it really flustered him. Eventually his food came and his Lincoln Park girlfriend repeatedly mouth "I'm Sorry" to me again. By that point it seemed most people there were expecting a fight (or as I'd like to call it: me getting destroyed), but funny enough all seemed to be on my side.

So what does this have to do with anything? I just think it shows how us Indiana fans should class it up whenever, be it in our own stadiums by treating visiting teams with respect. Be it in away venues by not destroying/vandalizing the place. Or be it in a bar with drunken fans who want to fight. I learned to be a classy fan from my Cardinal roots, I carried it on during my time at Indiana University, and I wish every other IU fan follows in my footsteps.

Defend The Rock Gets Endorsed By A World Record Holder and Breaks An Exclusive Story!

How many IU Sports blogs can say they have been endorsed by a World Record holder? In fact how many blogs in general can say that? Well, at least one!

That's right, Defend The Rock has been officially endorsed by Aaron Waltke, the official world record holder in the category of "Extreme T-Shirt Wearing." His official statement:

"Defend the Rock has my official seal of approval as the premiere unofficial IU Sports column..."

Also, Aaron is pleased to announce, in a Defend The Rock exclusive that:

"I would also like to announce my official candidacy for next year's basketball team. If they want me, they can have me. I will await the University's response with baited breath."

For more info on Aaron Walke please reference this earlier post.

Hoosiers of the Week

iuhoosiers.com is doing a weekly feature called "Hoosier of the Week" where they recognize the best of the best from IU sports for the week. This week the lucky two are D.J. White and Whitney Thomas.

First off, D.J. What a pleasure it is to see him on the court, and getting better each game. It was painful to be in the stands all last year and see him on the sidelines. Sure he looked good in his expensive suits (of which he cut up one pant leg in order to wear it over his cast), but having him on the court with Vaden and Killingsworth would've been great. We need him more than ever this season, and it looks like he's ready to step up and be the leader of this team.

Second is Whitney Thomas. I'll admit it, I've never seen her play, but it seems like this is the break out season for her. Three double-double games, and on the week she's averaging 13.5 points and 13.5 rebounds. This is a nice step up from her season average of 8.9 points and 8.8 rebounds. We'll be keeping a close eye on her this season for sure. And hopefully her brother will step up big for the Hoosier football squad next year.

Something To Brag About

Well, well, well...all hope isn't lost after that heartbreaking defeat to Kentucky. It appears that recent IU graduate Aaron Waltke helped cheer up the IU fanbase by breaking the world record for most T-shirts worn at once!

My question is this: Would it be within NCAA rules to allow Waltke to play for IU's basketball team w/ all those shirts on. Let's face it folks, even with the added muscle, Ben Allen ain't got nothing on Waltke. We need to do whatever can can to beef up our interior and if that means 160 shirts and bringing back an IU Grad who proclaims: It turns out that "The Science of Sleep" is a biopic about my love life. So be it!