Hoosier Hearts: An IU football love story (V2) INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — As IU football fans gear up for the Peach Bowl on Friday night, one couple is reflecting on how the Hoosiers brought them together. In 1994, Karen Bobilier Gerni and John Gerni drove from Fort Wayne to Bloomington for an I U football game — on their second date. That same season, John — a lifelong fan — had just become a season ticket holder. He says the Hoosiers College Football Playoff run is a sight to see. “Just to be mentioned as one of the best teams in the country is an incredible feeling,” John said. At the game, the two saw an older couple in the stands with matching red and white checkered pants and red shoelaces in their shoes. The level of Hoosier pride instantly stuck out to them. After the second date, Karen wanted to send a thank-you note. As she was picking out a card, she noticed a pair of red shoelaces. “I thought, I’ll pick up a pair of red shoelaces for him and include that in the card,” Karen said. I said something to the effect of ‘You can wear these when IU goes to the Rose Bowl.’” John was impressed. “It definitely increased my curiosity about her,” he said, recounting the card. It’d been a dream of his to go to the Rose Bowl since the last time the Hoosiers played in the historic game in 1968. He was 8 years old. “I remember watching it in in a cold, wintry day and in Indiana,” John said. “Thinking, I want to go to the Rose Bowl that looks so warm and inviting out there.” More than thirty years later, the couple was among the IU faithful in Pasadena, California, cheering the Hoosiers to victory over Alabama at this year’s game. “It was just really neat to just have so many IU fans there … just to be surrounded with so many good friends,” Karen said. “The team came through in a very grand fashion.” They now live in North Carolina, but still make the nine-hour drive to catch games at Memorial Stadium. “To bond with other people and talk about IU — that meant a lot,” Karen said. “Over the years [it] kept us motivated to continue to go even through those tough years.” Both are soaking in the recent success of the program. While they’re not going to Atlanta for the Peach Bowl, they are looking forward to cheering on their Hoosiers from home. “They’re going up against a very good Oregon team,” John said. “I think we expect them to pull it out somehow. They’ve done it all year, and they have the chops to do it.” If Indiana wins Friday, the couple is already planning to make a trip to Miami for the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. ...read more read less