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By Preston Andrews, Emma Silverman, Ava Epply and Vivian Ferrari

BLOOMINGTON, IND (April 3, 2025)

On a cold, rainy Bloomington day, a group of students gathers along the Woodlawn track. This type of day would be described as “Nasty.” Yet, the students gather anyway. Geared with sticks and elbow pads, they partake in a two-hour practice in the less-than-desirable elements. None of the students are being paid, they are doing it all by choice, and they are doing it, for the love of the game.

Only 7% of athletes will play college sports, and only 2% will play Division One. Club sports keep dreams alive for college students; they provide a safe and fun outlet to not only continue to play the sport they love but to embrace a new community and smooth the transition to college.

Claire Macabee, a Freshman from Indianapolis, first heard of the club lacrosse team through a friend from her hometown, and instantly saw it as a fit, for her transition to college.

Unlike most clubs, however, club sports teams are not always welcome to all. Macabee and almost ninety other freshmen had to go through a tryout process, with just ten making the team.

“Everyone at the tryout played in high school all four years; Lacrosse varies in popularity based on the region in the U.S. Although it was tough to make the team, it is probably a little less competitive,” Macabee said in an interview.

Macabee is correct, the popularity of Lacrosse on the East Coast, nearly doubles that of the Midwest.

As a club Lacrosse athlete, Macabee noticed some differences between High School and Club Lacrosse.

“The biggest difference for me is the availability with practices and games; sometimes you have classes and projects that you just cannot miss,” she said.

This is yet another reason why club sports are so popular among students. Even at the smallest levels of college sports, Athlete sometimes comes before the student in the term “Student Athlete”. As a club sport participant, flexibility is not only provided but encouraged. The Indiana Club Lacrosse team, for example, carries a roster of 45 players, with the assumption that scheduling conflicts will arise.

So, who is in charge of such a large group of girls? Who is there to give advice on strategy, and to organize practice?

IU Club Lacrosse does not have a Coach, but rather a President. Macabee claims that the Hoosiers as one of the few club programs in the country without a Coach. Although this is completely different than what all players experienced in high school, and a majority of their Lacrosse lives, Macabee and the rest of the roster, do not always see it as a bad thing.

“We are captain-led, which means we rely on our Seniors and our one Sophomore captain.”

But how does student leadership work so effectively?

“I am sure a lot of people who played high school sports can relate to this, but it can be challenging with a coach, especially for girls because coaches can be very demanding, but if someone on your team is technically the coach, they understand where you are coming from and the challenges you face as a player.”

Just like the rest of us, these athletes seek advice from people who have been in their shoes. Macabee sighted the fact that the Seniors run the show. With that leadership structure in place, it allows full transparency among players and makes sure that everyone feels included not only in practices but off the field as well, something Macabee sights as key in her college transition.

“Last semester, we went to Nashville, Chicago, and Dayton, Ohio, this semester, we are going to Milwaukee, and we are going to Ohio State next week.”

When asked which trip was her favorite, Macabee’s answer did not come as a surprise.

“There are a ton of amazing memories, but the best memory I have is Nashville. Nashville is a very fun city, and to be in Nashville downtown was a very fun and exciting moment; especially as a Freshman, in my first semester to be with a bunch of girls of all different ages in such a fun place, that is my best memory.”

Do trips to Nashville, and other trips across the Midwest justify the cold, rainy, miserable practices for Macabee and other student-athletes? Sure, but that is not all that goes into it. Club sports at Indiana give athletes who otherwise would have to give up on the game they love and have played since they were young, a few more precious years with the sport; and are a fun, creative outlet, for students to make friends, and play sports, and what could be better than that?

 

 

By: Katie Williams, Cali Stouder, Matt Novello

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (Mar 27, 2025)-

Odds are if you go to the football and basketball games here, you have seen the Red Steppers. The Red Steppers of Indiana University are a dance team here at IU and perform multiple times during Indiana athletic events. Similar to cheerleaders, they perform on the sidelines during the football games while also performing on the field during breaks within the games. Whether it be timeouts, the end of a quarter, or halftime, they go on the field multiple times to provide entertainment for the crowd. And when it comes to basketball games, it is very similar, they perform on the court during breaks within the game so there is entertainment for the crowd.

The Red Steppers are actually not associated with IU Athletics, as according to blogs.iu.edu, they are a part of the Marching Hundred, which is also a part of the Jacobs School of Business. Just like the athletes at Indiana University, the Red Steppers have to put in a lot of work.

Most of the dancers have been dancing their whole life and have been practicing since a very young age so they were able to get to the skill level they are at now. In practice and before events, they have to master the routines they practice so they can be perfect when performing. They practice every day, around six to twelve hours a week, while still having to attend class and do school work, but unlike athletes, they are not the center of attention when it comes to the events they perform at. The Red Steppers even have to put in a lot of offseason work so they are ready for when the season arrives. They are a big part of the athletics here at Indiana University and for our story, we interviewed two current Red Steppers at Indiana University, Sophia Sales and Mia Fox.

In these interviews, we asked a lot of questions so we could learn about what it is like to be a Red Stepper here at Indiana University. Sophia Sales mentioned that during football season, they have to make sure they perfect their routines before the games. In our interview with Sophia, she said, “During football season, for anywhere from four to six practices which are three hours each…” This goes along the lines with how much work these dancers have to put in to be successful and perform to the best of their ability.

Sophia also mentioned how she believes that the hard work she puts in helps her in life by teaching her how to have a strong work ethic along with having a work life balance. Just like how being on the Red Steppers is physically challenging with how much practice they have to put in, it is also mentally challenging. The Red Steppers are a big family and they are there to support each other, just as teammates are on a sports team. Sophia also mentioned how her coach does a great job at making sure their whole team has a great bond. This contributes to everyone having more fun while performing as they are a very close-knit team.

When we asked Mia about practicing before events, she mentioned how they first learn the routine from a video at home. This shows that Red Steppers do not only have a lot of work to put in at practices with the team, but also at home on their own. It’s very similar to how athletes practice on their own to perfect their craft, Red Steppers do the same thing. Mia also mentioned that being a part of the dance team makes it hard to have a “normal” college life, and they have to give that up. Mia stated, “I have made a lot of sacrifices to be part of the IU dance team, I feel like the biggest one is you give up that totally normal college girl life.” It is hard for these dancers to be able to still have a lot of fun in college with how much work they have to put in, but overall, Sophia and Mia both said they have loved college so far including being a part of the Red Steppers. Being a part of the Red Steppers has been a dream come true for both of them.

By: Chiara Brewer, Lucas Hernandez, and Nate Gouker

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (April 3, 2025)

Beneath the bright stage lights of the IU Auditorium, a group of dancers join as one in a seamless blend of movements painting a story through their artistry and athleticism. The energy is electric and the passion undeniable. This is Fusion, the annual showcase for InMotion Dance Company (InMo), a student-run organization at Indiana University. For junior Megan Wright, InMo isn’t just a dance team, it’s home.

Wright, a social work major from northwest Indiana, has been dancing since she was three years old. Though she switched on and off with gymnastics in her early years, dance has remained a constant throughout her life. From pom to hip-hop to contemporary, she found joy in movement. But when she arrived at IU, she wasn’t sure if dance would still be part of her journey, until her close friend Bella Weisbrodt encouraged her to try out for InMo. “I heard about InMo from my friend Bella,” Wright recalls. “She told me to try out, and I started my sophomore year.”

Now in her second year with the company, Wright has found her place among the 100-member team. Unlike the high-pressure teams of her past, InMo offers a unique experience, one centered around enjoyment rather than perfection. “It’s really just to fall in love with dance,” she says.

Founded with the goal of giving students the opportunity for a creative outlet, InMo has become a safe place for dancers like Wright. The company welcomes a variety of skill levels and backgrounds. Students are choreographing and teaching their own pieces. For Wright, rehearsals are a regular part of her weekly schedule. “I have three hours on Sunday, one on Tuesday, an hour and a half on Wednesday, and an hour on Thursday,” she explains. However, the commitment level varies for each dancer. “It can look different for everyone. You only go to the rehearsals for the dances you’re in.” Wright notes that a great part of InMo is that each individual can put as little or as much into it as they choose. 

The highlight of the year is Fusion, set for April 5, 2025. The event is a culmination of months of practice, featuring a mix of contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, and even tap. “The production numbers for contemporary, hip-hop, and jazz are really big,” Wright says. “They’re all from different choreographers, so it’s just super fun. You get a different vibe from everyone.” For many members, the showcase is more than just a performance. It’s a moment to celebrate their hard work, creativity, and friendships. “I honestly can’t imagine my experience here at IU without InMo,” Wright says. “It’s brought me some of the greatest people and my closest friends. It’s so great to be surrounded by people you never get sick of being around.”

Bella Weisbrodt, an IU senior from northwest Indiana, is a close friend of Wright’s and played a major role in leading her to join InMo. Now serving as co-head director of contemporary, she’s been part of the team since her freshman year.

“Coming into college, I really didn’t think I would dance again, but I found InMo,” Weisbrodt shares. Weisbrodt has been dancing her whole life, so walking away from it would have been a difficult task. After looking up dance organizations on campus, she discovered InMo and decided to give it a shot. “Before my freshman year, InMo wasn’t that big because of COVID. But a lot of girls turned out, and a lot of people from my area also joined.”

For Weisbrodt, InMo became a way to keep dancing in her life without the same pressures of the competition dance world she came from. “InMo is dancing without stress,” she says. “It is a way we can actually express how we feel through dance, instead of having to make sure we’re doing the counts right, and everything like that.”

Her role as head director of contemporary has given her an even deeper appreciation for the art. “With choreographing, a lot more of my time is dedicated to InMo: making the dances, going over videos from practice, having the corrections down, making sure everything is done on time,” she says. “It definitely can be stressful at times, but watching your piece on stage is really what makes it worth it.”

Both Wright and Weisbrodt agree that Fusion is the defining moment of their InMo experience. “My favorite memory was my first showcase last year,” Wright shares. “We spent the whole weekend together, and it was so nice to see all of our hard work pay off.” For Weisbrodt, gearing up to see her choreography on stage has been an exciting process. “Being a co-head director of contemporary, it’s been a really awesome experience watching our piece come into place.”

As the countdown to Fusion 2025 continues, the dancers of InMo continue to rehearse, perfecting their movements and strengthening their bond. Whether they are seasoned choreographers or students rediscovering their love for dance one thing is clear, InMotion Dance Company is more than just a performance group. It’s a community, a creative escape, and, for many, the heart of their college experience.

“InMo really changed my college experience,” Weisbrodt says. “I found most of my friends here. If you’re going to dance with someone, you’re going to get close to them at some point.” Wright concludes, “It did really make me fall in love with dance again.”

 By: Wesley Sewell, Drew Foertsch, Haoran Zhu

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (April 3, 2025)

Yaoxin Wang remembers the first time she picked up a guitar. She was just a child, drawn to the instrument because of her father. Music was her identity. By middle school, she was performing on stage with the band. In high school, she was accepted into the prestigious Art Department of PLA University, a significant step toward her dream of becoming one of the most famous female guitarists in China.

 

Then, in a single, unexpected moment, everything changed.

But what was meant to be a reward turned into an unexpected tragedy. A serious motorcycle accident left her middle and ring fingers too weak to hold the strings. The realization hit her hard, “I can’t hold the strings anymore. I can’t go to the university that accepted me,” Wang says. Just like that, her dream was shattered.

When her father recalls the memory, he says, “When she got that acceptance letter, we thought everything was falling into place.” We could not have imagined how swiftly it would all change. She desired that motorcycle so intensely. At the time, all we wanted was to see her happy,” he says in a hushed tone. “Looking back… it’s hard not to ponder.”

 

Losing her ability to play was not just a setback, it was a devastating blow. Music had been her passion, her plan for the future, and her way of expressing herself. Without it, she felt lost. “Sometimes people have to say goodbye to their dreams,” she reflects. “But there is no correct answer in life, nor is there a universal formula.” The struggle of letting go was real, and the pain was palpable.

Instead of music school, she looked to study law at Indiana University. It was a decision rooted in stability, a practical career path. But no matter how much she studied, something was missing. Law was logical, structured, and rigid. Wang was lacking the creative challenge that she was familiar with. 

For Wang, reinvention came in a form no one could have predicted: fashion.

She had always admired fashion but never considered it seriously. It was not until law school that she realized how much she cared about it. Instead of focusing on what she had lost, she started thinking about what she could create. She emphasizes the importance of personal growth, saying, “The harder thing after giving up your dream is whether you have a stronger heart to adjust yourself.”

Although her family did not fully understand her decision, they later expressed their praise: “At first, we didn’t know what to think. Law school made sense. A clothing store? That was unexpected,” he laughs. “But now I see it’s the same creative fire, just expressed differently.”

She began researching the industry, sketching ideas, and learning the business side of fashion. Over time, her new dream became a reality. Now, at 29, Wang is preparing to open her clothing store in Indianapolis.

Opening a store is not the type of performance Wang had thought she would be doing at this point in her life. 

Performance is not just about being on stage. It is about dedication, passion, and pushing forward despite unplanned things. Wang may not be playing guitar under the spotlight like she once dreamed of, but she is still performing in a way she never expected. Succeeding where others have failed in her situation is what makes her powerful. 

Wang says the most surprising part of starting her store has been the freedom. After years spent studying case law and reading dense legal texts, she now wakes up excited to pick fabrics, arrange displays, and speak with customers. “I finally feel like I’m doing something that reflects who I am,” she says. The store isn’t just a business, it’s a space where she can rebuild confidence and connection. Each outfit she curates is like a message: a way to communicate identity, much like she once did through music. 

Wang’s story is a testament to the adaptability of dreams. Life is full of adversity, sometimes we’re forced to take a different path or change our dreams altogether. But as Wang has shown, a new dream can be just as promising as the one left behind. Wang’s story demonstrates that no matter what life throws at her, she will conquer it. This is a powerful reminder that you can rise above any challenge, no matter how daunting it may seem.

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By Izzy Hamilton, Cayman Werner and Brayden Kenworthy

BLOOMINGTON, Ind (Apr. 3, 2025)

Powerful and resonant tones soared through the air as Daniel plucked the tough strings of the cello. Deep and soulful melodies transport the audience into a warm and peaceful place, allowing the music to create a deep sense of satisfaction.

The Jacobs School of Music at IU is a highly competitive musical program that only accepts 25% of applicants annually. The hours of dedication to practice and juggling school work can be demanding for students at Jacobs. Daniel Gruber, a current sophomore at Jacobs with a cello performance major, has been interested in music since a young age. Growing up, his mom played violin professionally, which allowed him to grow a deep-rooted appreciation and love for the musical arts. 

“One day, I was like Mom, what is that? And she said, ‘It’s the cello,’” said Gruber. From then on, he was hooked and said that even when the cello was too big for him to play, he still wanted to hold it and begin learning as soon as possible.

In addition to being exposed to music so early in life, Gruber often got the opportunity to attend professional orchestra concerts. He mentioned how in high school, he remembers “just sitting there and enjoying the sound.” He even compared it to a “mini vacation.” Gruber discussed how his goal is to provide that experience for other people, which is what initially made him want to pursue music full-time.

Gruber was introduced to Jacobs by attending a pre-college program, and while there, a professor suggested that he attend the school. Gruber mentioned that the first semester of college went pretty smoothly, but his schedule quickly amped up as he was juggling a number of difficult classes, joined a quartet, and was feeling a lot of pressure from his professors.

“It’s definitely difficult, and definitely a lot of work, but always rewarding,” said Gruber. 

When asked how much time he devotes to the cello a week, he said, “A week?! Can I just give you a day, and you can go from there?” He then walked us through a typical day in his life, where he stated he has classes in the morning, rehearsals in the afternoon, and then practices on his own in the evening. He concluded that he most likely spends around six to eight hours a day dedicated to playing the cello.

A vital part of Gruber’s life is his faith. Growing up, he was always a part of the youth group at church, served on a worship team, as well as served on the adult and youth music teams. He got involved with the Christian Student Fellowship through his friend Abby, who did her undergrad at IU. When she heard that he was coming here, she reached out to him and suggested he join the CSF community. He mentioned that IU can be very dark and lonesome at times, so at the end of the day, it’s nice to be able to come home and have faith-based conversations with genuine friends that are going to influence him positively.

In Gruber’s words, “CSF is a house where around 50-60 residents live and a place where you have the opportunity to live in a Christ-centered community that provides fellowship, services such as small groups and encounter on Thursdays, and a very intentional community.”

Balance as a college student can be extremely difficult, even without the extra challenges of being a competitive music major. When Gruber was asked about how he is able to balance all of the most important aspects of his life, he said, “I try to keep school at school.”

It is important to Gruber that when he comes back to CSF at the end of the day, he can dedicate his time to community and fellowship. In addition, he makes sure to attend the worship services on Thursdays as well as church on Sundays. 

Gruber talked about how when the cello is time-consuming, he tries to keep the mindset that “it is [his] worship.” He likes to view the cello as a way that he is working for the Lord instead of his professor. He mentions that this can be extremely difficult at times, but he tries to stick to it.

Ben Geiger, CSF’s lead campus minister, said that Gruber is very active, cares about the CSF community, and is friends with pretty much everyone in the house. “He’s very involved in small groups, as well as very passionate about helping serve on campus, as well as at the CSF house,” said Geiger.

He then told a story about a time when Gruber and a group of his friends asked if a special exception could be made within the CSF house so that more people could live there. “Legally, we can room up to four people a room, but typically the only leases we offer are for two to three people to a room,” said Geiger. This situation is an example of how Gruber puts others before himself and makes faith the center of his life. “It just shows a little bit of his heart,” said Geiger.

Daniel displays grit and determination to balance a rigorous school schedule, intense cello expectations, as well as social and faithful fulfillment. By keeping faith the center of his life and dedicating his time to what matters most, he is able to maneuver his laboring college life with a smile each day. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8Jo4orhUd4

Daniel Gruber, a cello performance major in the Jacobs School of Music, balances his life of music and faith through excelling in academics and the Christian Student Fellowship at IU. He finds fulfillment in both worlds, despite their differences.

 

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By: Anna Bryson, Olivia Glasgow, Ella Chastain

Bloomington, Ind. (April 3, 2025)

The gym at Bedford North Lawrence High School hums with the familiar squeak of sneakers on polished wood and the thud of basketballs bouncing on the court. But recently, something else has been stirring among the players, a quiet movement that began with one athlete and spread throughout the team like wildfire.

Jacob Ritter, a senior basketball player, stands at the heart of it. He leads his teammates in prayer before every game. Once just a personal ritual shared with his best friend and teammate Colton Taylor, the prayer circle has grown to include the entire team, an unplanned but powerful evolution that Ritter never expected.

For Ritter, the story goes much deeper than basketball. Just a year ago, he was in a dark place, distanced from his faith and living a life he now describes as filled with mistakes and regret. “I was doing things I shouldn’t have been doing and getting far away from God,” Ritter admits, reflecting on a time when he felt lost and disconnected. But one night, while playing video games at home, everything changed.

Jacob’s mother, Summer Ritter, approached him unexpectedly and began talking about Christianity. Initially, he was angry, brushing her off as he had done before. But something was different this time. As his mother continued to speak, Ritter felt his muscles relax and an overwhelming sense of peace wash over him. Then, as Summer prayed and began speaking in tongues, Ritter felt something break inside of him.

It was a turning point that Ritter could not ignore. The next day, his friend Colton asked if he could take him to church. Ritter shared his encounter with his closest friends, and that Wednesday night, they all went together, not for God, but to support their coach, Brayden Tidd, who was preaching. To everyone’s surprise, by the end of the night, Ritter’s friends had also dedicated their lives to Christ.

From that moment, everything changed. Not only did Ritter renew his faith, but he also found himself guiding his friends on their own spiritual journeys. What started as a private transformation soon became a community of belief and support, bound by their love for basketball and God. “God moved through me first to reach them,” Ritter says, still humbled by the impact of his journey.

Summer, who has been a youth leader at their church for several years, saw the difference in her son immediately. Once angry and distant, Ritter had become joyful, open, and compassionate again. “When he walks into a room, he brings God with him,” Summer says proudly. “There are no words to watch your son minister to other people and save their lives.”

As Ritter’s faith grew stronger, his influence stretched beyond his inner circle. Teammates who had once watched from a distance began joining the prayer circle. Ritter found himself leading his team, sharing faith and purpose. The circle expanded game by game until, at their final game, every player joined hands in prayer, a moment that brought Ritter’s journey full circle.

Ritter acknowledges that giving up old habits and friends was one of the most challenging aspects of his transformation. He knew that rededicating his life to Christ would mean leaving behind things he once clung to. “It was the best decision of my life,” he says. “But it wasn’t easy.”

Now, Ritter’s passion for faith and basketball are intertwined. His performance on the court has improved since his rededication, and injuries seem less frequent. “I used to pray before games like it was nothing,” he recalls, admitting that his heart wasn’t in it. But now, every prayer carries weight and purpose, reminding him that God’s light is meant to shine through his actions.

Off the court, Ritter hosts Bible studies at his family’s home, an idea he proposed to his parents, Summer and Jeff Ritter. What began as a small gathering has since grown, with friends inviting more people and church leaders joining to guide the discussions. Ritter knows that a church is more than a building, it’s the people who make up the community.

As the team prepares for sectionals, where they’ll face the number six team in the state, Ritter’s perspective remains clear. It’s not just about winning games but about fulfilling his purpose. “God put us on this earth for a reason,” he says. “We just have to dig deep and follow our paths.”

Looking back, Ritter sees his journey as one not only of personal redemption but as a source of hope for others. His story is a testament to how faith can redefine a life, and how one young man’s decision to let God lead has transformed a team, a community, and himself.

On and off the court, Ritter leads with himself a growing purpose. His passion for faith has drawn teammates and friends into a growing movement.

 

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By Danny Durkin, Naomi Maurer and Ursula Stickelmaier

BLOOMINGTON, IND.  (April 3, 2025)

The stage is dark as people file into room 015 in the Fine Arts Building. Music blasts from the speakers above. And, as the audience finds their seats, members of IUs sketch comedy group Boy in the Bubble wait backstage for the show to begin. Performing comedy can be intimidating for anyone, but joining an established group like Boy in the Bubble comes with both rewards and challenges.

The group’s newest performers, junior Claudia Logan, sophomore Grace Parton and freshman Jesse Kunst, joined the group in January this year. Shortly after officially joining Boy in the Bubble, the group held their first show of the semester, or their “New Kids” show, on Feb. 1 in the Fine Arts Building.

Despite their prior individual performing experience, this was the first time that the three new members performed sketch comedy in front of an audience. But being comfortable on stage is also something that these performers must be good with. For a new performer, like Logan or Parton, the thought of trying to be funny in front of a crowd of strangers may seem nerve wracking at first.

“It was intimidating,” Parton said. “I’d seen them all perform before, and they’re all very naturally funny. And you’re just intimidated going in. Like, I have a lot of imposter syndrome, thinking I’m not funny, or I can’t write, or anything like that. But the more you’re around people like that, I feel like, the more you’re like, oh, that’s silly. These are just fun people to be around. There’s nothing to be worried about.”

Though all the new members of Boy in the Bubble have had some sort of stage experience – Parton, whose current major is costume design and who acted in high school, has been around the stage more than most. Despite currently working in shows with the University Players, some free time in her schedule allowed Parton to audition for the group.

“This semester, I didn’t have much going on, so I kind of wanted to take the opportunity,” Parton said. “And I’d been to a few shows before, and Bubble was always my favorite, so I wanted to try it out.”

With her obligations to school, the University Players shows and her own social life, the addition of Boy in the Bubble rehearsals and shows to her schedule can become a challenge. But to Parton’s surprise, the sketch comedy group is very accommodating of its members’ schedules.

“Bubble makes it easier, because we meet every other week, so I can kind of focus on my other obligations in the weeks in between,” Parton said. “Three of our members were just in Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind, which is the main stage play this semester, and they just took a few weeks off. So, like, a few weeks is only three shows, and they’re going to be back with us the rest of the semester. So it’s not too bad.”

Writing sketches can also be something that challenges new members during their first tries. Logan, who wrote scripts when she was younger for the global organization Destination Imagination which she participated in, has pitched multiple sketches to Boy in the Bubble and has even had some make it into the shows. As her time in the group has progressed so has her process for writing scripts. Currently this means pulling from things she experiences or hears in her own life to create something funny.

“I find one thing that I’m like, ‘Okay, this would be funny. How do I build up to that?’” Logan said. “Like this skit that got in the show, I got from talking to my neighbor. He was making a pie and said something like, ‘My God, my butter is gonna be melted and not just softened.’ And I thought that was so funny. Then in one of my classes, my professor mentioned, like the redwood forest. And I was like, ‘Redwood forest and butter. How can I add that?’ And then I just kind of word vomited.”

For Logan, inspiration can come from anywhere. Whether it is a random conversation with a friend, a silly remark she overhears or even a professor’s lecture. The beginning of her writing process is less about crafting a structured narrative and more about chasing what makes her laugh, no matter how absurd the connections might seem.

Now this process may seem chaotic to some, but Logan thinks it’s important to recognize that not every sketch has to make sense. Sometimes the funniest sketches aren’t the ones that have a logical beginning, middle and end but the ones that include a little chaos.

“Sometimes we’ll read sketches, and they don’t make any sense at all,” Logan said. “And it’s okay, it’s just supposed to be funny. So I think, like taking that mindset, it really helps me write too.”

For new members, Boy in the Bubble isn’t just about the challenges it brings. It’s about finding a community where they can grow as comedians. And from writing sketches to performing on stage, Logan says they’ve found encouragement every step of the way.

“Everyone in the group is just so nice,” Logan said. “They all welcomed me in like I was already their friend, so that was pretty comforting.”

Claudia Logan and Grace Parton discuss what its like to be new members of a popular comedy group on campus. Logan and Parton both joined IUs sketch comedy group, Boy in the Bubble, in Jan. 2025 and have participated in all the shows of the spring semester through sketch writing and performance.

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By Brady Owen, Phoebe Hyun, and Edward Lewis

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (Apr. 3, 2025)

As the lights in the theater slowly started to dim, so did the voices in the audience. All Angelo Pizzo could do was take deep breaths in order not to let his worries take over. The air in the theater was thick with anticipation. This was the moment he fought for, a test screening for the film he had poured his soul into. If the audience didn’t like it, well, that was it; it was over. His heart pounded, each beat louder than the last as he watched his film unfold on screen. His mind was restless as he thought about all the challenges he had faced up until this moment. As the end credits rolled and the lights slowly turned on, the entire theater erupted. For a full five minutes, all you could hear were cheers and claps, he had done it. The fight had been worth it. His dream had come true. 

It’s the kind of story you’d see in a classic movie: a small-town dreamer with big dreams fighting against all odds to make it in the industry. But for Angelo Pizzo, it wasn’t a movie, it was his life. From his small-town childhood to becoming the creator of arguably the most iconic sports films, Hoosiers and Rudy, Angelo’s journey is one of a dreamer who faced all his challenges head-on. His story is more than just about making movies – it’s about dealing with setback after setback and proving dreams are achieved through persistence, passion, and lessons learned from failure. 

Growing up in a small town, Angelo Pizzo never dared to dream of a career that was not “traditional.” It wasn’t until later in life that he found his true calling and was willing to jump into a world of unknowns. Angelo said, “I’ve always loved film, but I’ve never thought of making a living doing it.” He explained how for a good portion of his life, his plan was to work in politics. However, that plan took an unexpected turn after his involvement in the anti-war movement, which shifted his perspective entirely. Disillusioned with politics, he took a step back from the conventional path and decided to “ski a season in Aspen, surf a season in Hawaii, and live on a commune there.”

It was during this time of exploration and self-discovery that Angelo began to reconsider his future. After returning home, his father told him that he’d “support him no matter what, but [Angelo] had to pursue something he loved.” This moment of encouragement marked a turning point in Angelo’s life, propelling him toward a career in a field he never imagined — filmmaking.

Early Struggles

Like many success stories, Angelo’s journey was filled with setbacks. For years, he worked with companies like Warner Brothers and 21st Century Fox until he felt ready to go off and create something on his own. 

Initially, Angelo’s approach to filmmaking was more academic. After being told by the head of the comparative literature department that he needed a doctorate from one of three specific schools, he was motivated to do just that. After years of working toward that very goal, he ended up scoring an internship that was usually for production students, he soon began questioning his career choices once more. 

After being told by one of the people he was fortunate enough to work with that he “doesn’t belong in academics, you’ve got to be in this business”, he was able to start gaining work experience in development, which led him to become vice president of production. 

During the early years in his career, Angelo faced many challenges, rejection and uncertainty being two of them. Yet, he didn’t let anything deter him. Instead, he used it as fuel to push himself forward.

The Importance of Persistence and Passion

For Angelo, the most important lesson in his career was learning to keep going, no matter the odds. He stressed how important determination is for anyone looking to make it in a competitive industry like filmmaking.

Angelo said, “The one thing I was told really early on was you’re going to face a lot of rejection. You’re going to get a series of nos and people discouraging you that you’re not going to make it. And if you allow other people to define what you’re capable of…then you’re finished”.

Despite the setbacks, he refused to let others define his potential became the foundation for his success. By embracing his failures and pushing forward, Angelo ultimately found his place in the industry, creating some of the most beloved and iconic films in sports history. His journey reminds us all that success isn’t about avoiding failure, but about having the grit to rise again and again, no matter how many times you’re knocked down.

Behind the Scenes: Quinley’s Perspective

To truly understand what it’s like to work with Angelo, we spoke to Quinley Bowden, his stepdaughter, who had the chance to work with Angelo on his most recent project. Quinley, who has witnessed Angelo’s journey up close, shared her perspective on what it’s like to see him both at home and on set. “Well, I think that both on and off set he’s a different person… in real life he’s kind of nonchalant… he’s just a guy. But on set, he’s very locked in”.

When asked what Angelo’s previous work means to her, Quinley said,  “…these are really inspirational movies. I always feel really good after watching an Angelo Pizzo movie”. We also asked Quinley how working with Angelo on set had impacted her understanding of filmmaking and storytelling. She reflected thoughtfully, “I was involved… for a long time. I read the script months beforehand, seeing the way the movie morphed and changed throughout the whole process was really cool”.

A Legacy of Hope

Today, Angelo Pizzo’s name is synonymous with inspiring stories of hope and perseverance. His films continue to resonate with audiences around the world, showing that the greatest victories often emerge from the greatest struggles. His journey serves as a powerful reminder to anyone chasing a dream — whether in film or any other field — that success doesn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of hard work, passion, and never giving up.

As Angelo reflects on his career, he connects the story of Rudy to the challenges many people face in their own lives. “Rudy seems to inspire people to do a couple of things,” he explains. “To go after their dream no matter how impossible it seems, and no matter how little support you have from your friends and family.” He adds, “Rudy never gave away the power to let others define not only who he was, but what he was capable of. And I think a lot of people are looking for that in their own lives.”

For those just starting out, Angelo Pizzo’s story proves that success in Hollywood—or in any field—isn’t reserved for the fortunate few. It’s for those who dare to dream and have the persistence to make those dreams a reality.

Pizzo highlights important pieces of his film career and how he has reached the tip of the mountain from his humble beginnings