Indiana Softball: A ‘Gold Standard' Culture - A Program on the Rise

Written By: Ben Malcomson (@BenMalcomson)

Being both a website co-owner and a podcaster, you would think the COVID-19 pandemic would put a halt on content.  I cannot say that from a podcasting perspective.  Hoosier Heartland faced a serious reality check.  Although, I have been doing this for over two years and enjoyed each show that we did, I always felt like something was missing.

          First, it was who I did the show with.  In comes my twin brother Robie Malcomson dropping bits of analysis and knowledge behind the game of basketball while also adding a very deep, enthusiastic, and philosophical feel to the content.  I asked him to join.  Without hesitation he accepted the challenge.  Not only did he meet expectations of my own, he drastically exceeded them!

                Going into 2020, it was clear a couple of months in that we were in for an interestingly bumpy adventure.  But, not all of 2020 has been for naught. Months ago, Robie came across a young and talented Kathie Chong who did a podcast herself with her friend Jeff over at Hoo Hoo Hail.  He spoke to me about how insightful she was and that we needed to bring her onto the show as a guest.  That appearance sparked the beginning of a friendship that only grows to this day.  Shortly after her appearance, we made an offer to Kathie to join forces with Robie and I.  We haven’t looked back since.  She brings a whole new dynamic to what we are doing and continue to strive to do.

                Why do I start this article talking about the show? Because it laid the foundation of what has inspired me to write again, period.  Together, we turned our attention towards ALL Indiana Hoosier athletics.  Since then, it has been the most enjoyable and memorable experience of my podcasting journey.  We’ve had the opportunity to speak with both coaches and student athletes.  Tonight, I want to honor one of the programs that stood out as the most welcoming.  That would be the Indiana Hoosier softball program.

                Not going to sugar coat it, I was not the greatest and most dedicated fan to the program.  I did not dislike them by any means, I just did not invest MY time into what they were doing and building.  The podcast experience shed light on them.  Since then, me, Robie, and Kathie have fallen in love.  We yearn for a new season.  A chance to be there in person to support them the way they deserve from us and fellow Hoosier fans alike.

                Tonight, I put the focus of my thoughts at those from the team who have taken the time to be with us.  I will share with you my takeaways from their appearances and how they impacted me as a person and a fan of sports.

                Now, where shall we start?!  Why not at the beginning of it all.  With Emily Goodin, a senior student athlete on the Indiana Hoosiers softball team.  Early into this past season, I came across her after her performances earned a big-ten weekly accolade.  Media Relations Kellan Godfrey and the coaches were graceful in allowing us access to her. She, herself, was also willing to join.  During that episode, it was when I got the first chance to fully understand and appreciate Emily’s story.

                That is the key words in that paragraph – EMILY’s STORY.  Each of us has one, folks.  A story to live and a story to tell.  For Emily, it was from her life up to that point which included her childhood, prep career, and her time at Indiana up to that point.  Keep in mind, this was even before the coronavirus pandemic really took hold of the nation.  I was left not only vastly appreciating her and the student athlete more, but also the program.  I wanted to go to a game so damn bad!  I wanted to be there for her on her senior day!  But, alas, the pandemic had other plans.  Abruptly shutting down the campaign before It felt like it really even got off the ground.  I was left only imagining how gut-wrenching that had to have been for her and her teammates!

                Fast forward to our next show, on comes Josie Wood – another Indiana softball senior.  This one felt different.  The first post-pandemic suspension conversation with a student athlete.  And, this one hurt… A LOT!  We loved hearing Josie’s story.  At the same time, getting to know her, it also made us have heavy hearts for her last season to get cut short in an IU uniform.  Do not get me wrong, Josie did touch on how it affected her and her teammates.  But there was something beautiful that came of it.  It was her proactive and positive outlook she took from it.  She cherished her time there and knew the next chapter in her life was here and now.  And, there was no time to look back on the negatives.  It was only, “How can I turn this into a positive?”  Just her appearance alone was an example of action.  Positive action in the face of a virus that took a portion of her story from her.  She was going write a new chapter.  We have no doubt she will write many wonderful ones.

                Along the way, we had the pleasure of having Coach Stanton, Coach Fearn, and Coach Bell on the show on separate occasions.  For me, I still kick myself for not being available for when Coach Stanton stopped by.  She left us with nuggets of inspiration that we still quote her on now and will far into the future.  One of those examples was “honoring the pause”.  To me, it meant that you do not always have to say the right things in the right moment.  It was more about being there, being invested, and listening. That it does make a difference. I catch myself doing this now at work when training others and it works!  Coach Fearn was a guest that left us wanting to go and run through a brick wall.  Full of passion and love for the game.  Her smile and outlook on the program, the players, and the situation at hand was full of optimism.  Coach Bell was one of the episodes I left feeling proud of her.  A woman known more by those around her as being “reserved” yet focused, competitive, and a true leader.  She was not comfortable being in front of the mic, but as the show progressed, you could actually see Chanda embrace the spotlight and figuratively run with it.  She left having fun with the time we had with her and we were left feeling like we wished we could play for her! She spoke about it being an example of getting out of her comfort zone only to develop a comfort with it. It felt like it was somewhat therapeutic for her.

                Since those appearances, we have had the fortunate chances to speak with more and more student athletes around the program – Grayson Radcliffe, Gabbi Jenkins, Desiree Dufek, and most recently Katie Lacefield.  All of them displayed one commonality that stood out to us – unselfishness.  They were comfortable enough talking about themselves when we had them do it.  But, you can tell how much they loved talking about their teammates and coaches when their faces would light up with sheer joy and enthusiasm.  They were all so well-spoken, kind, and genuinely cared about making the most of the opportunity to join two guys from southern Indiana and their friend who lived in Chicago who we envy for attending and graduating from Indiana herself.  Did we know each other beforehand?  No.  Did we feel like we have known them for a lifetime AFTER their appearance on the show – HELL YES!  I cannot stress that enough! We also like to say, “Now, you are family! Consider us your brothers and sister!” Call us crazy, but we mean it!

                I honestly think they would probably kill me if I made this article talking all about them though.  But, this is more about what THEY (as a team) did for us.  We want to go into these podcast shows with the same mindset and goals – 1) to give these student athletes and coaches an opportunity to tell THEIR STORY - to be understood, respected, and appreciated and 2) to walk away from it knowing in our hearts that we are better fans and better human beings because of them allowing us to peak into their lives and see them for something more than just an athlete.

                Not only have we succeeded in that, they have all made a positive impact on our lives.  Take me for example, I have been going through quite the writer’s block.  I haven’t lost the love for it, but I also want what I write to truly mean something and impact the reader in a constructive manner. Not for clicks. Not for money. For meaning. For understanding. For education.  Each person mentioned above had a hand in inspiring me to do this very thing – WRITE. And, I love you all for it.

                Here are some questions that I ask myself and, if you watched the shows, you should be asking yourself too:  What have I learned about this team and program?  What have I grown in understanding THE student athlete?  What have I taken from this experience?  What are things that they’ve done or plan to do that inspires me to do or plan better?

                My best response is that it is one thing to say something.  It is another thing to actually go and do it.  Actions can and will have a more powerful impact than the words you let roll out of your mouth.  What these women have done is combine the two into a total package.  Not only can they talk, they can back it up.  And, that is not just on the playing field.  That goes beyond the game itself.  They work hard, train hard, study hard.  They have passion, pride, heart, desire, and dedication.  These are not fundamental traits of being a successful student athlete.  These are fundamental traits at being a damn good human being!!

                The pandemic reminded us that a lot of things in life are bigger than the game itself.  Sports are not that important in the grand scheme of life and death.  A win or a loss doesn’t poop on my day or ruin my week.  It is the journey within that I walk away appreciating no matter what the outcome of the game is.  When you really slow down, put yourself in these young adult’s shoes, only then can you truly appreciate them. Understand who they are, how they’ve lived, and who they want to become.

                From my perspective, I’ve searched for those who strive to do more than just succeed on the playing fields.  I want to invest my time in those that care about something greater than themselves.  The culture around Indiana Softball is, in my opinion, a gold standard example of how a program should be led, cultivated, and cared for.  They genuinely and deeply care about one another beyond the game.  They harness that and apply it to making each other better every day both on and off the grass and dirt.

                That is a beautiful thing.

                In closing, I have learned over the years that I cannot control what others think.  I cannot make people invest time in what I think is worth their precious seconds.  But, if you were to ask me about Indiana Softball and if they are worth your time, I wouldn’t hesitate.  They absolutely are.  Whether you are an aspiring high school athlete looking for your future home or a fan desiring to be a better supporter than you were yesterday, they are worth whatever time you can give them. You will only be better for it.  I should know, I was one of those fans at one time.

                See you in 2021, IU softball.  You have our support.  Will they have yours?  #Team48