Indiana University Football was 7-0, now 8-0 after Saturday’s game against Washington, for the first time since 1967.
1967 IU quarterback Harry Gonso gives Hoosiers a chance to travel back in time, and learn about what it was like the last time IU football had this good a season.
“We were such rookies,” Gonso said. “We just explored the edge on virtually everything that we did.”
Gonso was the starting quarterback for the team 57 years ago, and he led IU to many victories. But he didn’t always have his mind set on playing at Indiana, let alone football for that matter.
He was drafted out of high school to play baseball for the Detroit Tigers, but Gonso decided he wasn’t ready to take the leap into professional sports, and that he wanted to go to college. The question was where.
Harry Gonso tells the story of how he chose to go to Indiana University over Michigan State. He even passed up the chance to play with the Detroit Tigers, and he became a hoosier.
Michigan State offered Gonso a position on their team as a running back. But the quarterback-to-be changed his mind and decided to become a Hoosier.
“I think Michigan State wanted me as a running back, too, and so did Indiana,” Gonso said. “I was able to convince Indiana, at least, that I could have a shot at quarterback.”
He became the quarterback at Indiana alongside teammates Jade Butcher and John Isenbarger. Years later, Gonso continues to highlight the incredible qualities his fellow players brought to the game. He even takes the time to call out Karl Pankratz, who grew up an hour away from Gonso in Toledo, Ohio, and traveled with him to IU so they could play football together.
“We had a lot of fun, especially on nights before football games,” Gonso said. “No real mischief, we just got away from the campus, and had an overnight, and got all prepared and ready and excited for the game.”
Gonso loved spending time with his teammates, and he highlighted the importance of quality time with the team before any of their big games.
The Indiana spirit followed Gonso both on and off the football field. Gonso received a full-ride to IU’s Maurer School of Law, which was just a quick walk from the president’s office, where he served as Herman B. Wells’ right-hand-man.
After graduating, Gonso used his law degree to become a leading corporate lawyer in Indiana. He was also the longest serving member on the IU board of trustees, and the chief of staff for former Gov. Mitch Daniels in 2005 and 2006.
An incredible life Gonso has led, but he never forgets to pay tribute to the IU football team, especially now as the team’s successes carry on his legacy. Gonso and his wife, Lucy, alongside the rest of their family, continue to attend the games, and support IU in any way that they can.
“We just take full advantage of what beautiful seats I still have,” Gonso said. “That’ll keep up until I pass away, or maybe Lucy, so we’re still going to be Indiana University supporters.”
