HOEPPNER, CONT'D.

by Orson on Jun 19, 2007 1:08 PM EDT

We're pushing the agenda for the day back given the sad news of Terry Hoeppner's death, which remains the story of the day.

A quick sampling of the blogosphere's reaction:

--DevilGrad has the Miami Hawk Talk obit. Hoeppner, a Miami "lifer" until his departure for Indiana, cites Hoeppner's "plain-spoken leadership and infectious enthusiasm."

--We Are the Postmen has a particularly moving summary of Hoeppner's short tenure written by PostmanE, an Indiana fan who says Hoeppner leaves a huge hole at Indiana.

Coach Hep still wants us, and we still want him.

--Rivals has a Hoeppner timeline.

--Purdue coach Joe Tiller, on Hoeppner at ESPN.com:

"I know Hep was a fierce competitor, and he battled an unforgiving disease," Tiller said in a statement. "We hope they (his family) find comfort in knowing that he is no longer in pain and is in a much better place."

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So ridiculously sad. What a tough man. His players and fellow coaches obviously loved and respected him so much.

by Run Up The Score on Jun 19, 2007 1:44 PM EDT reply actions

Comment #34 over at Deadspin contains a fine bit of writing by the guy who covered Miami football for our student paper during high point of the Hoeppner era. It’s worth reading.

http://deadspin.com/sports/indiana-hoosiers/rip-terry-hoeppner-270147.php

by DevilGrad on Jun 19, 2007 2:20 PM EDT reply actions

Three days after surgery, he sneaked into Indiana’s coaching box at Memorial Stadium and watched the Hoosiers lose to Division I-AA Southern Illinois.

Unreal. He was one hell of a man.

Orson, if you elect not to run the radio show tonight, I’m sure we’ll all understand.

by Oops Pow Surprise on Jun 19, 2007 2:40 PM EDT reply actions

According to the Bloomington Herald Times’s blog, IU’s scheduled groundbreaking of a Memorial Stadium expansion will go on as scheduled per the request of Hep’s family. This end zone building, which will result in a modest expansion of the stadium’s capacity and added luxury suites but has the predominant purpose of enhancing the football team’s amenities (weight room, meeting rooms, etc.) has been discussed for years, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that it finally came to fruition during the Hoeppner era. I hope that a permanent tribute to Hep (the Hoeppner Center, perhaps?) is part of this new complex.

by John M on Jun 19, 2007 3:13 PM EDT reply actions