A tale of Two Football Teams
In the opening line of A Tale of Two Cities, Dickens wrote, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” He could have been comparing two football programs; both near and dear to me. The Indiana Hoosiers – the best of times and the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors – potentially the worst of times.
Both teams are blessed with loyal, perhaps fanatical fan bases. Both have long histories of seeing potential turn into mediocrity. Hoosier fans (pre-2025) would fondly recall the last great season we had when we went to the Rose Bowl….in 1968! Rainbow faithful recall the glory days under June Jones when we went to the Sugar Bowl in 2008. The droughts for both teams have been long!
The Warriors welcomed home Coach Timmy Chang in 2022 and saw him instill a home-grown “defend the rock” mentality which led to the team’s first winning season under his leadership in 2025.
Coach Curt “Cig” Cignetti famously told the press. “I win; Google me” when he was introduced in 2024. His philosophy was simple, never settle, always get better. Two years later the Hoosiers were National Champions and are contenders again this year. Many detractors will say that IU has the “best college football team that money can buy.” A fair, if not totally envious taunt.
But the difference between the two programs isn't simply money, although money is certainly part of the story. The real difference is commitment. Not from the coaches and players. In Manoa, as in Bloomington the blood, sweat and tears are flowing on the field. Famous IU alumni and a “classmate” of mine, Mark Cuban, said it best “Win mother XXXXXX!” but only after he wrote some serious checks. Other alumni responded and so did IU leadership. Better training facilities, luxury boxes at Memorial Stadium and the full backing to compete in the Big 10 conference. The Best of times.
The worst of times. Despite his efforts, Coach Chang is charged with competing in D-1 football with the budget of a community college. God bless the Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation, but their namesake “stadium” is actually smaller than the high school stadium that their quarterback played at in Las Vegas. And our legislature doesn’t seem willing or able to get a new stadium built OR an athletics program adequately funded. The heart and dedication of our Warriors is not enough to compete with the well-funded programs that they face every week.
Moral – it is not only possible to turn a losing program into a winner, I’ve seen it done. Hope never dies. But in football, dreams come with a price tag. One of my dreams has come true. I am hoping for another one for our Warriors!
Next month I promise I’ll address an investment-related topic, or not. This is my chance to share a little personal connection with you.
Best wishes and aloha.
Colin