Back in my teen years, I became an Indiana U. fan, more than likely because my parents were IU graduates. And I graduated from that fine school.

From the beginning, I chaffed from their inability to win football games. It was always "wait'll next year". Dad warned me not to get my hopes up. They are perpetual losers, he said, always were, always will be. I scoffed.

50 some years later, his words ring true to this day, and most likely, beyond. (One exception: They did go to the Rose Bowl in 1968, amazingly enough.)

Case in point: Yesterday (Sat.), I watched IU play #15 ranked Iowa. They played great and dominated (relatively speaking, for them). Behind 18 to 13, fourth down inside the ten yard line, closing seconds, a pass was thrown to a wide open receiver in the end zone. I jumped out of my recliner, yelling "OH MY........", thinking the guy actually caught the ball and IU won!!!

But no. The ball slithered through his hands and fell harmlessly to the turf. And, like thousands of fans past, present, and future, I buried my head in my hands, and said "T'was ever thus". Then I went outside and split wood in a wild flurry (and fury).

IU football (and basketball lately), the Cubs, my high school teams--they're all lumped together as loveable losers. I've accepted it. And I pass my father's insight (pessimism) on to my children and any other potential fan of these teams.
By the way, my father NEVER watches any IU sporting events. He knows. (Maybe that's his secret to longevity!)