Hello, again. For those stumbling upon The Hoosier Network for the first time, welcome to our home. And for those returning, welcome back. It’s suddenly August, and with nearly three weeks until Indiana travels south to Florida International on September 1st, it’s only right to introduce ourselves and communicate our coverage plans.
This season will be a conversation, and unlike many outlets across the country, it won’t be one-sided. It’s year two under Tom Allen and much has changed from the first. Longtime leaders Tegray Scales, Rashard Fant, and Simmie Cobbs have departed. Impressive recruiting classes have replaced them, at least on paper. There’s a three-horse race at quarterback. Oh, and Memorial Stadium has concluded its makeover. Indiana’s 2018 team has an ambitious ceiling, and a modest floor. Is this the year IU finishes games in Ann Arbor, Columbus, or at home against Penn State, Michigan State, and Iowa? Whatever happens, it will surely be a fun ride. And we’re eager to take you with us.
It’s not about us. We want this thing to be about you -- with conversation and dialogue through comments, emails, podcasts, live Q/A’s, and Twitter responses. We’ll be there, live, from start to finish -- in Miami to open the regular season, and back in Bloomington to finish it up. Let’s experience this season together, right here at The Hoosier Network:
Teddy Bailey (@ByTeddyBailey)
As a senior from Philadelphia, this is my fourth and final year covering Indiana Football. I’ve been proud to call Bloomington as a temporary home since then -- it’s truly the best place to attend college. That being said, it’s my last ride here and I’m looking forward to leading this coverage team. I started with the award-winning Indiana Daily Student as a freshman Sports Editor in 2015 and worked under Zach Osterman at the Indianapolis Star for the past two years. Back at home, I interned with the Philadelphia Inquirer to help cover the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles, rebuilding Philadelphia Phillies, and much more. Along with Josh, Zain, and Eddie, I founded The Hoosier Network last winter for one reason: to be different. And that’s exactly what our coverage this season will be.
It will be different. It will be new. But most importantly, it will be thorough. You won’t just learn who these players are -- but what made them the way they are. Bloomington’s known as a basketball town. But this place knows its football, too. There’s no need to regurgitate the box score, y’all watch the games! We’ll be here to take you through the moments that matter. Whether it’s the 2018 Hoosiers or the best cheesesteak in Philadelphia (it’s Dalessandro’s) you can find me on Twitter @ByTeddyBailey, or via email, eebailey@iu.edu.
Ben Portnoy (@BPortnoy15)
¿Que pasó? I’m back baby! Hey there everyone, I’m a senior from Winnetka, IL. I return to Indiana after a semester-long jaunt to Seville, Spain where I spent this past spring. While across the pond I picked up a few things: fútbol is the correct terminology for soccer and Euroleague basketball is among the wildest environments you’ll ever see.
Now to the more serious stuff. I’ve covered the Indiana Football program since the spring of 2017 for The Journal Gazette in Ft. Wayne, IN. This past summer, I was a reporting intern for The Sports Capitol, an entirely online, subscription-based site dedicated to covering all the latest happenings in the Washington, D.C. sports scene. I chronicled the Washington Capitals' Stanley Cup run, the MLB All-Star Game and Home Run Derby hosted by the Nationals, Redskins training camp and virtually anything else happening in the nation’s capital.
Previously, I wrote for the bilingual magazine Más+Menos in Seville, where I reported in Spanish and English. Prior to that, I covered the Swimming and Diving beat for the Indiana Daily Student and worked as a staff writer for the Bethesda Big Train, a summer-collegiate baseball team based in the D.C. area.
Here at the Hoosier Network, we have an awesome lineup of analysis, podcasts and features coming your way. Thanks for joining us. You’re in for a hell of a ride.
Connor Hines (@ConnorHines17)
After just one year in Bloomington, I’m ecstatic to be joining The Hoosier Network’s 2018 Indiana Football coverage team. As a freshman, I broadcasted the Hoosiers for WIUX 99.1 FM and Big Ten Network Student U productions -- as well as IU Student Television’s Indiana Softball Beat Reporter.
I’m a long way from my hometown of San Diego, California -- where I interned at San Diego’s Mighty 1090, the flagship AM sports radio station in town. The Hoosier Network has allowed me to translate my broadcasting experience as a freshman into words. While Teddy and Ben have been around Indiana Football for years now, I’ll be offering a newfound perspective of Year Two under Tom Allen as head coach. There’s a lot to learn, and I’ve loved every minute of getting started. Between analytical podcasts twice a week, in-depth feature stories, and all the news you’d ever need … you’ll be covered right here at The Hoosier Network. Catch you during the season, @ConnorHines17, or in person.
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The Hoosier Network is always more than just three. Senior phenom and co-founder Eddie Cotton will be providing highlight analysis and storytelling videos throughout the IU Football season. As he focuses on Indiana Soccer’s quest for a ninth national championship, co-founder Josh Eastern will be assisting behind the scenes of the HN’s Indiana Football Podcast, among other written opportunities. Mark Timko will again be taking photo for us throughout the season, and we'll rely on his work each and every day. And lastly, we have a wealth of young talent between the likes of Austin Render and Jacob Vinson to complete our coverage and lead in the future.
See y’all soon.
--Teddy Bailey
Co-Founder, The Hoosier Network
