ACLU, trustee candidate sue Braun
Braun signed a bill eliminating alumni-elected trustee positions at IU
By Natalia Nelson
nelsonnb@iu.edu | @natalianelsonn
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana and former IU Board of Trustees candidate Justin Vasel announced May 6 they have filed a lawsuit against Gov. Mike Braun over the last-minute addition to the state budget giving Braun total control over the board’s member selections.
House Enrolled Act 1001, which eliminated the three alumni-elected positions on the board, was signed into law May 6. The board comprises nine trustees, six of whom have been historically chosen by the governor, while the other three are elected by IU’s alumni and serve threeyear terms.
“There is nothing unique about Indiana University that justifies application of the new statutory scheme to it and not to Indiana’s other four-year universities.”
ACLU lawsuit
Under the new law, Braun can remove and replace the current elected members of the board at any time, which includes Vivian Winston, Jill Burnett and Donna Spears. This year’s election for Winston’s seat was set to begin June 1. Several alumni, including plaintiff Justin Vasel, had already submitted 200 necessary signatures and materials to run for the position.
IU has said that the election process would not continue if Braun were to sign the bill.
The ACLU of Indiana announced May 6 that it was filing a lawsuit against Braun, with Vasel as a plaintiff, claiming the law violated the Indiana Constitution. The case was filed in the Monroe Circuit Court.
“The new legislation that targets Indiana University and only Indiana University is special legislation,” the lawsuit reads. “There is nothing unique about Indiana University that justifies application of the new statutory scheme to it and not to Indiana’s other four-year universities.”
The law does not require other universities to change their election procedures. The lawsuit claimed that the new law violates a part of the state Constitution that states “all laws shall be general, and of uniform operation throughout the State.”
“This case touches on fundamental questions about democratic representation in public institutions and constitutional constraints on legislative power,” Vasel told the IDS in an email May 7. “Issues that transcend partisan politics and affect all Hoosiers who care about good governance.” Vasel and the ACLU requested that the court declare the section of the law unconstitutional and void and enter a preliminary injunction that would allow for the planned election to continue.
‘That person can run 100
By Mia Hilkowitz mhilkowi@iu.edu | @MiaHilkowitz
It took about 18 miles for Benny Hickok to realize exactly why the race earned the designation as Indiana’s “toughest trail race.” For starters, the trails guiding racers through the Owen-Putnam State Forest that November in 2006 weren’t trails for people at all. The paths were meant for horses, which, over the years, had torn up the terrain. Add in the recent rain and nearby
How ultramarathon running thrives in Indiana
springs, Benny found himself slipping and sliding through ankle-deep mud during the entire first course loop.
It also didn’t help that his friend — the one who convinced him to try out the long-distance sport in the first place — failed to show up, leaving Benny to attempt his first ultramarathon, the OPSF5050, alone. He had run long distances before, including road races like Cincinnati’s Flying Pig Marathon. But this 50-kilometer race (approximately
31.1 miles) was different. It was freezing cold. His IT band started to flare up. And he could just go home. So, with 13 miles left in the race, Benny took a seat. He decided he was ready to stop.
“What the hell are you doing?”
Benny heard the voice of his wife, Cheryl, loud and clear. It was strange — his wife wasn’t even next to him at that moment (and would “never talk to me like this”), Benny said. But there her voice was in his head, urging
him to get up.
“You’ve spent all this time training for this, you’ve got this day to yourself, spending it away from family and you’re just going to give up?”
Benny imagined Cheryl telling him. “Just go get it done. Just get out there.”
She was right, of course.
So, with the help of ibuprofen and a shot of Captain Morgan, Benny got back on his feet and took off. Just another 13 miles to go.
Over the past decade, ultramarathon running — running distances longer than the traditional 26.2-mile marathon — has skyrocketed in popularity. According to the International Association of Ultrarunners and RunRepeat, participation in these long-distance races increased by 1,676% from 1996 to 2018, with women and runners from all age groups participating more than ever before.
SEE MARATHON, PAGE 11
IU reflects a year after encampment
By Natalia Nelson and Deshna
Venkatachalam nelsonnb@iu.edu | devenkat@iu.edu
On the morning of April 25, 2024, David McDonald was teaching a class called Pop Culture and Politics in the Middle East. Less than 12 hours later, he was sitting in the Monroe County Jail.
McDonald was one of over 30 faculty and students arrested by the IU Police Department and Indiana State Police on April 25, the first day protesters set up tents in Dunn Meadow. He was charged with trespassing and banned from campus after standing between a police officer and a student, he told the Indiana Daily Student. Both the trespass charge and ban were dismissed a few weeks after the arrest.
The IU Divestment Coalition organized the Dunn Meadow encampment to protest the war in Gaza and call for IU to divest from Israel months after the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war.
On Oct. 7, 2023, a Hamasled attack on Israel killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in Israel. Hamas took around 250 hostages. Around 150 hostages have since then been released or rescued alive. According to the Washington Post, 82 hostages have been confirmed killed, and 24 hostages are still in Gaza.
In response to the initial attack, Israel launched a military campaign, and at least 52,000 Palestinians, many of whom were women and children, have been killed during the conflict as of April 27, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The war has displaced 1.9 million people, or around 90% of Gaza’s population.
Police arrested 23 more protesters on April 27. The encampment was dismantled by IU after 100 days on Aug. 2. IU spent over
$265,000 on cleanup, repairs and renovation, and a fence was placed around the space for 136 days during the construction. Dunn Meadow opened again on Dec. 16.
IU established an expressive activity policy in July, which prohibits expressive activity between 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. without prior approval, the installation of temporary structures without approval, camping on university property, blocking access to buildings and impeding vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
The IUDC’s demands from the encampment, which ranged from divestment from Israel to the opening of Muslim and Middle Eastern cultural centers have not been met.
The Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office did not file charges against 55 of the 57 protesters who were arrested, citing IU’s last-minute change to its unauthorized structure policy.
The IDS interviewed IU community members about their experiences during and since the encampment.
Rise in antisemitism
Bloomington and IU have seen increased antisemitism and hostility toward Jewish students, according to Jeff Linkon, the executive direc-
tor of the Jewish campus organization Hillel at IU. He was not working at IU during the encampment but said he was attuned to the campus climate leading up to his acceptance of the role last October.
During the hiring process, he said Hillel’s student leaders interviewed him, and campus attitudes toward Jewish students were at the forefront of their conversations.
The Anti-Defamation League, an organization that aims to fight antisemitic bias, reported a 344% increase in antisemitism between 2019 and 2024, with incidents of harassment, assault and vandalism occurring nationwide. It reported synagogues and other Jewish institutions were targeted with bomb threats. The ADL updated its methodology after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack to include antiZionism incidents with other antisemitic incidents in its report. A map from the ADL recorded 21 incidents of antisemitic harassment and vandalism in Bloomington in 2024. One reported that a synagogue in Bloomington was the target of a bomb threat in January. Others included swastikas spraypainted on a synagogue and Israeli flag. In 2023, there
were only four incidents, all of which were recorded after Hamas’s initial attack on Oct 7.
IU, along with at least 20 other universities, received a Title VI complaint a few months after Oct. 7, 2023, from “conservative culture writer” Zachary Marschall. The complaint accused IU of failing to address antisemitism on its campus, citing chants from pro-Palestine protests. On Feb. 5, 2024, the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened an investigation into IU.
The Department of Education sent letters to 60 universities, including IU, in March 2025, threatening federal funding if “they do not fulfill their obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to protect Jewish students on campus.” All universities that received letters had been under investigation for antisemitism.
According to Linkon, the encampment exacerbated the experiences Jewish students faced since Oct. 7, 2023. He said Jewish students expressed fear, isolation and a growing sense of vulnerability on the campus.
Partnerships between the Jewish community and other culture centers, student governments and community organizations on campus
became impossible to continue, Linkon said. He said he thought they might have felt the campus climate was toxic and didn’t want to be a part of it, or that they turned their backs on the Jewish community.
He said IU’s campus should be a safe space for students to talk about the events in Israel and in Gaza, but that safe space didn’t exist.
“Antisemitism is as old as, you know, it dates back thousands of years,” Linkon said. "It isn’t going away today or tomorrow.”
While combating antisemitism is vital, he said, it was still critical to provide a campus climate where Jewish students can thrive and connect in positive ways.
Sophomore Mikayla Kaplan said she has been apprehensive to share her experiences as a Jewish student, though she said she hadn’t directly experienced antisemitism in the classroom. She has lived in Israel previously and is the president of Hoosiers for Israel, an organization with a goal to inform students about Israel.
“I’ve had students that I’ve heard are experiencing bias and antisemitism in classrooms, both from professors and from their fellow peers and students,” Kaplan said. “I don’t want to feel isolated in a class.” In response to the encampment itself, she felt as though IU did not do a good job of handling it.
“It’s tricky because the administration needs to protect all students, not just a specific group,” Kaplan said. Faculty reflect on the encampment Faculty who were arrested at the encampment have spent the past year grappling with how to move forward.
JACOB SPUDICH | IDS
A student wears the flag of Israel as they overlook protesters at the IU Divestment Coalition encampment April 25, 2024, at Dunn Meadow in Bloomington. It's been over a year since the encampment started.
COURTESY PHOTO
(Right) Benny and Cheryl Hickok prepare to race and (left) Tim Fifer leads a group of runners during his weekly Tuesday workouts. Over the past decade, ultramarathon running skyrocketed in popularity.
Editor’s note:
OPINION: Grad
Meghana Rachamadugu (she/her) is a senior studying marketing and business analytics while pursuing a minor in French.
It’s been four years since I accepted my letter to the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. Four years ago, I was a brighteyed high school senior, eager to take on the corporate world, embrace a new environment at an out-of-state school and gain that sense of independence I had romanticized throughout my adolescent life.
As I reflect on this journey, I can’t help but laugh at the small “wish I’d known” moments that marked my college experience. For
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
IU media relations should talk to the press
Matt Lamb is an associate editor for The College Fix, a
education news
that trains student journalists. He lives in Dyer, Indiana. Indiana University media relations representatives draw their salary from Hoosiers like myself.
Yet, my student reporters at The College Fix often find it impossible to even get media reps like Mark Bode and Vic Ryckaert to answer the phone, let alone respond to a voicemail or email.
The College Fix has written a handful of stories about IU-Bloomington in the past months — important topics such as alleged hate crimes, racial discrimination and state funding for the Kinsey Institute.
Yet Bode, Ryckaert and the entire IU media team are missing in action when it comes to answering basic questions about the operation of the university.
Student journalists, like the more than 125 who write in any given year for The College Fix, can only improve when given the chance to get real answers from institutions.
Ryckaert used to work as a reporter for WRTV and the Indianapolis Star, so one would think he would be sympathetic to reporters just doing their job and trying to get the university’s perspective on an issue.
Likewise, Bode has spent most of his career working in media relations for cities and politicians. He should understand the need to communicate information to the public.
There should be more respect for journalism organizations trying to cover important topics and for taxpayers who pay for them to, ostensibly, work on behalf of the state and its higher education institutions.
THE THOUGHTFUL TAKE
season provides a moment of bittersweet reflections, gratitude and
starters, I wish I had known not to take evening classes; as a dedicated morning person, those late-night sessions were not my friend. My most productive hours are in the early morning and recognizing this has saved me from countless procrastination sessions and sleepless nights. I also wish I had avoided certain professors and taken the bus instead of biking for 20 minutes to class in the rain. But more importantly, I wish I hadn’t taken myself too seriously in those early years. Letting academics rule my life led me to miss out on investing time in friendships, hobbies and achieving a healthy worklife balance.
Maureen Langley is a graphic designer based in Bloomington.
I’m sitting at a table on the second floor, in a square wooden chair at the Monroe County Public Library. The kind of chair where if you lean far enough, you can get a good back cracking.
Looking out the floor-toceiling windows, I can see it’s rainy, but in the spring way, you know, where it’s misty enough to make the air humid but not raining consistently enough to need an umbrella. This is one of the best kinds of days to be at the library.
“So much is familiar here, yet I learn and leave with something new with each visit.”
While I sit here, someone’s toddler stares at me while their parent browses the shelves. Two teens sit in the same chair, partially doing a homework assignment between giggles. The college-aged person behind them, engrossed in more serious studies, goes back and forth between a pile of books and an open notebook. A staff member pushes a cart from stack to stack, returning books to their rightful places. I can hear murmurs of conversation from the atrium as foot traffic picks up for the annual book sale.
I’ve been visiting this library for 20 years, since I was 8 years old.
Like any library, books come in and out of circulation, but many of the ones I checked out in elementary school are still downstairs on the children’s floor. The bright yellow spines of “Nancy Drew” stand out in my mind alongside “The Secret Garden,” “Garfield,” “The Phantom Tollbooth” and “The Princess Diaries.”
These beloved books still wait on the shelves for another curious mind, ready to explore, to pick them
If you can relate an unkind grind, trust you are capable of performing well while still carving out time for yourself. I learned this lesson the hard way, experiencing burnout far too quickly.
As I step back and reflect on my four years of college, I realize how much growth has transpired and how daunting the road ahead feels. Transitioning from high school to living independently has been a monumental shift. I’ve learned friendships evolve; those people you bonded with in your freshman year may not always remain in your life, which is okay. Surround yourself with individuals who inspire and challenge
growth
you to be better: quality over quantity truly matters.
Remember, you are your own person: You entered this school with unique goals. Focus on your journey and don’t compare your timeline to others. It’s entirely normal to feel like you’re running behind sometimes.
Graduation season brings with it a whirlwind of mixed emotions — excitement, fear and even imposter syndrome. If you’re feeling this way, know it’s perfectly healthy. Embrace the unknown that lies ahead after college. We’re not abandoning our ambitions or refusing to celebrate the achievements of others. We’ve learned to support
our friends and rejoice in their milestones, whether that’s landing a new job, starting a relationship or discovering a new hobby that brings joy. Each of us is on our own path, and sometimes it just takes longer to reach our destination. Completing a rigorous degree, living independently and discovering who we want to be in a span of four years is no small feat. When I reflect on my individual performance — setting aside group work dramas and part-time job commitments — I feel a sense of pride. Yes, I have regrets, but I’ve learned valuable lessons along the way too. I’m leaving this school knowing I wrote my own chapter, and I’m more confident now than I was before. The journey has already proven to be so much better than high school, filled with fewer regrets and less self-doubt. I want to take a moment to express my gratitude. Thank you to everyone who helped make my four years in Bloomington some of the best and most visceral of my life. I appreciate your support, the lessons you’ve taught me and the experiences we’ve shared. For those still in school, I hope you look back on these years with fondness, nostalgia and pride for all you’ve accomplished. Always remember, it’s amazing to be a Hoosier. megracha@iu.edu
up. As I entered middle school, then high school, I borrowed countless young adult novels and video games (Nancy Drew starred in these, too). When I left for college, my home library was still with me, allowing me to borrow e-books, audiobooks and movies.
I was first a reader and then a writer because of the Monroe County Public Library. As an adult, I visit the library once or twice a week, often to pick out a new book or two or to have a quiet place to sit and work. So much is familiar here, yet I learn and leave with something new with each visit. I can’t list all of the services the library offers here, because it is vast, but the library has outreach and house call services, a bookmobile, tutoring, meeting spaces, a digital creativity center, community access television, a seed library, local and family history resources, an art gallery, job-
search tools and many more online resources.
“Any level of education, but especially higher education, cannot be accomplished without access to libraries, and these representatives undoubtedly benefited from their existence in my community. “
This library — and every library in cities and towns big and small across the United States — is a vital resource that builds strong communities.
President Donald Trump’s administration’s executive order on March 14 called for the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This
executive order defunds an independent federal agency that provides financial support for books, databases, digitization programs and training for library workers.
This is detrimental to not only our community but to communities across the United States. As noted by Monroe County Public Library director Grier Carson in an open letter to the Monroe County community, “MCPL itself relies on the IMLS to help provide valuable resources for Monroe County residents, such as our Libby eBook collection, the INSPIRE suite of research databases, interlibrary loan services, and the Indiana History Digitization project.”
My congressional representatives — Rep. Erin Houchin, Sen. Jim Banks, and Sen. Todd Young all hold degrees from Indiana University. Houchin has a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Banks has a bach-
elor’s degree in political science and Young has a juris doctor from the McKinney School of Law. Any level of education, but especially higher education, cannot be accomplished without access to libraries, and these representatives undoubtedly benefited from their existence in my community. I strongly oppose defunding the IMLS, and I ask that you contact your representatives and urge them to do the same. In addition, think about what libraries mean to you and give them your support. Sign the petition issued by EveryLibrary opposing this executive order. Sign up for a library card if you don’t already have one. Go out of your way for a visit, especially if you haven’t been in a while. You’ll be surprised by what you find. After all, having fun isn’t hard when you have a library card.
Graduates of the class of 2022 listen to one of the commencement speakers May 7, 2022, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. This year’s commencement was scheduled for May 10, 2025.
JIMMY RUSH | IDS
The Monroe Country Public Library Downtown branch is pictured March 30, 2025, at 303 E. Kirkwood Ave. in Bloomington. President Donald Trump’s administration’s executive order on March 14 called for the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
By Joey Sills sillsj@iu.edu
One of the many benefits to school breaks, for me at least, is the fact I have so much more time to watch movies than I normally do. Since I’m rarely doing much during the summer anyway, I can easily watch at least one film a night and really make a dent in my seemingly never-ending watchlist.
If you’re anything like me, the sort of films you watch can really set the tone for your mood: though I’m always an advocate for bleak, depressing films that really make you think, that’s not the sort of vibe I’m trying to cultivate for the summer. Thankfully, there are so many movies, of so many genres, that just feel like the season. That being said, I’ve crafted a brief, though eclectic, list here of movies that, whether because they take place in June or July or they simply have the right vibe, feel like summer.
“12 Angry Men” (1957) Arguably the great-
est written film of all time, Sidney Lumet’s courtroom drama takes place on the hottest day of the year. This fact comes up time and time again as the 12 jurors deliberate, over the course of the entire day, whether to convict or acquit an 18-year-old boy accused of killing his father.
There’s so many genuinely shocking twists and turns in this film and the first time I watched it my jaw dropped several times. One scene, involving a pocketknife, has stuck with me for quite some time — a scene that, despite the film being almost 70 years old, I won’t spoil because it’s just so viscerally effective. It’s a picture that takes place entirely within one room, a picture that consists almost entirely of men talking to and yelling at one another. It’s closer to a stage play than anything else, which makes sense considering it’s an adaptation of one by Reginald Rose. But it’s intense, it’s suspenseful and it’s rightfully revered within the annals of film history.
“The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” (1974)
I’ve sung the praises of this prototypical slasher film from Tobe Hooper, but I’m not sure that anything I say can truly do it justice, no matter how many times I say it. For me, “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” is just one of the creepiest movies ever made. I’ve seen it probably two or three times at this point and every time it gets under my skin.
It also takes place in the humid, murky Texas heat, making this a perfect addition to the canon of summer horror films. The production of the film was infamously grueling because of this: the crew were subject to temperatures exceeding 100 degrees because of the unair-conditioned buildings they were shooting in, surrounded by bones and rotten meat and only a single set of clothes each. You can practically smell the sweat and roadkill on screen here, it’s really a very singular experience.
“Before Sunrise” (1995)
About as far from “The
Texas Chain Saw Massacre” as one can get is Robert Linklater’s seminal romance “Before Sunrise.” The film takes place on June 16, when Jesse (Ethan Hawke) meets Céline (Julie Delpy) on a train coming back from Budapest. They stop off in Vienna, Jesse convinces her to stay with him for the next several hours, and they spend the night roaming the city and getting to know each other as deeply as they can.
“Before Sunrise” is an almost indefinably lovely film and it’s one of my favorite films ever. It’s nearly the cinematic equivalent of a stream-of-consciousness novel, the two main characters rattling off everything at the top of their heads even if there’s little connection between the ideas. The picture is deeply existential, Jesse and Céline discussing everything from love and religion to death and suffering. It’s a romance for the postmodern era, and one that perfectly illustrates the feeling of cultivating an intimate connection with someone whom you may
never see again.
“Moonrise Kingdom” (2012)
Another romance, Wes Anderson’s “Moonrise Kingdom” is hardly his best project but one of his most heartfelt. The film follows 12-yearolds Sam Shakusky (Jared Gilman) and Suzy Bishop (Kara Hayward), two pen pals in the summer of 1964 who, alienated by the adult world around them, fall in love and run away into the wilderness.
It’s an almost Shakespearean comedy premise, the two lovers deciding they only need each other and escaping the constraints of rigid civilization. At the same time, it’s a striking portrait of preteen romance with a genuine understanding of what it was like being a kid. There’s a lot of scenes of note, but the one to look out for here is when Sam and Suzy dance on the beach to “Le Temps de L’Amour” by Françoise Hardy — really just beautiful stuff through and through.
“Challengers” (2024)
Maybe it’s a bit too recent to really judge its place
within the catalogue, but I couldn’t resist putting Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers” here regardless. For all intents and purposes, I think this is a masterful film. Everything about it is just so cool in the truest sense of the word. It’s also a fantastic summer picture, not least because it makes a good companion piece to Wimbledon in June. The premise might still be well known at this point, but it’s worth recapping anyway: it follows 13 years of the lives of Tashi (Zendaya), Patrick (Josh O’Connor) and Art (Mike Faist), three tennis players stuck in a formidable love triangle. It’s an intensely erotic film; it’s purposefully crafted to reflect the sexual tension between the characters. Everything about it — the editing, the writing, the acting, the score, the cinematography — conglomerates to create a total work of art that feels like a culmination of Guadagnino’s career. I say this with zero sense of hyperbole: it’s genuinely an awe-inspiring spectacle. And just over a year after its release, it’s more than worth revisiting.
MOVIE STILLS DATABASE Julie Delpy (left) and Ethan Hawke (right)
Running has become more popular and accessible to a wider range of people over the last several decades — “You only need a pair of shoes to start,” as many popular running social-media influencers will tell their viewers. Still, Olympians and sponsored athletes often dominate road running, whether it’s the traditional 5K, 10K or half and full-marathons on asphalt or concrete. Professional runners, who often trade 9-to-5 jobs for full-time training, regularly take home top awards for shorter trail races.
But a community of ultrarunners in Indiana — including runners from Bloomington — are bucking that trend. Across the state, some of the most wellknown ultrarunners are cardiac nurses, corporate managers and researchers (Bloomington City Council member Matt Flaherty even took home second at one of the country’s most competitive ultras, though he declined an interview for this story).
“We have some seriously elite runners in this area, which is crazy to think about,” Benny said. “But if you’re going to be stuck in the Midwest, (Bloomington) is a training playground for some of these people.”
For Benny, 52, running has always been a family affair. A native of Massena, New York, some of Benny’s earliest memories of the sport were with his dad, who would run from their family home to the General Motors location where he worked three miles away. Benny started running with his dad when he was 10. When he started running road and trail races in the early 2000s, he even got his girlfriend — now wife — Cheryl involved in the sport. The two are now nurses.
As the Hickok family grew, so did their collective love of the sport. One of their sons, Cael, ran a 50-kilometer race before he graduated from Bloomington
High School North in 2024. Cael and his older brother Liam have both helped pace Cheryl through two of her past races. However, the training required to compete in ultras doesn’t always fit easily into a working parent’s life. While training, Benny quickly found out the importance of a good headlamp, recalling often having to run outside either at 3 a.m. or late at night after putting his kids to bed.
It’s running in those moments alone when the mental strength needed to complete a race or workout is more difficult than the physical, he said.
“Your body’s gonna keep on telling you, ‘You shouldn’t keep up,’” Benny said. “You know, and your mind, you just gotta just tell your body to be quiet.”
In 2024, Benny decided to create his own trail running company, WooHoo Trail Fun LLC, and start his own ultra race, a 100-kilometer race called the MoMoFo Trail Run. With the help of his family and friends, he hosted the first race last June. The second race is planned for June 6-7.
Over the years, Benny has completed 14 ultramarathons with different distances and scenery. Each time he crosses the finish line, he feels a sense of disbelief.
“Who would look at some of us and think, like, ‘Really? That person can run 100 miles?’” he said. “That’s the beauty of this. You can’t just look at the physical vessel. It’s what’s, you know, up in their headspace. What their ‘why’ is.”
Benny said the most memorable part of a race is the struggle. By this standard, no race was more memorable than the Cruel Jewel 100, a 104-mile foot race through the North Georgia mountains, which Benny completed in 2019. The year Benny ran it, a reroute meant the race ended up being 113 miles. Racing against a 48-hour cutoff, Benny and a few friends pushed through two nights without sleep. To stay awake they told jokes and mimicked farm animals, and at
one of the aid stations Benny said he needed a beer.
“It sucked so bad and we’re all like, ‘We’re never going to do this again,’” he said. “Of course, but now we’re all like, ‘Maybe we should do it again.’” ***
At 62 years old, ultrarunning has taken Tom Fifer all over the world. He ran his first ultramarathon, the 50-kilometer Norris Dam Hard Trail Race in Norris, Tennessee, in 2012. He’s run in Scotland, and he even completed a group race through part of Madagascar.
But even after all these adventures, Fifer still finds himself drawn toward a trail at Eagle Creek Park about half a mile from his home in Indianapolis. He leads a group run at the park each Tuesday for the Indiana Trail Running Association — one of the staples of Indiana’s thriving ultra community.
Fifer said he didn’t grow up as an athlete and could barely run five miles by the time he graduated college. But once he started running with ITRA, he found a strong social network of other runners to keep him going.
“Everybody you meet in these races are just re-
ally good, you know, great outlook, positive attitude, just enjoy life type thing,” he said.
While he loves running with other people, Fifer said he often prefers to run by himself (or at least as the only human in his group). He enjoys bringing his bernedoodle, Cooper, on runs at the nearby park, though he admits Cooper’s “not the best running dog right now.”
Training on his own helps prepare him to take on the isolation that often comes with running ultras. During long races, especially 100-mile races, he often finds himself running by himself at night, which can cause him to mentally spiral. To keep going, he has to remember his family is waiting for him at the finish line and that he “can’t let them down.”
In 2022, Fifer ran a 100-kilometer ultra through Zion National Park. Toward the end of the race, he was running through the night, only the tunnel vision of his headlamp ahead to guide him. He thought of the same motivation he relied on for so many other races: the thought of his family waiting for him at the next aid station. Hours later, when the sun finally rose above the
canyons, he finally saw wife, Lori, and his kids, Ali, Zach and Kassidy, waiting for him and knew he could keep on going.
***
Sean Bowman’s relationship to running has changed a lot throughout his life. Growing up in Brown County, Indiana, he ran cross country — and was good at it, too, earning a spot to run cross country and track at Indiana State University from 2004-08. The focus then was always on running fast.
When Bowman, 40, decided to attend IU for graduate school years later, earning his master’s in 2013 and doctorate degree in 2017, that changed. During graduate school, he battled with depression and anxiety, leading to an extended period of substance use and addiction, he said.
But that’s only where his ultra story began.
“I decided ‘Hey, you know what? I’m going to be putting down substance and these things, and I’m going to take back up running,” he said.
He had taken about a decade off running before he picked the sport back up in 2018. And this time, speed wasn’t the ultimate goal. He wanted to see how long he could go. As he started to regain his endurance and strength, he developed a passion for being outside on the trails, for exploring new places and trying new adventures. He found calmness in the sport.
“We’re always surrounded by people, and we’re always surrounded by, you know, with the media and technology,” Bowman said.
“For me, it’s like running in nature and running on the trails is a way to not escape, but just to experience life in a more solitude state. It’s a time to reflect, it’s a time to carve out for yourself with no interaction with people.”
Unlike Fifer and Benny, Bowman didn’t finish his first ultra race, the Indiana Trail 100. He said he didn’t train well for the race, leading to a flare up in his IT band about 50 miles into the
race. Though it was a humbling experience, Bowman said, he decided to train for the same race the next year, determined to finish the course. But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and cancelled the 2020 Indiana Trail 100, he had to wait another year.
Finally, two years out from his first ultra, Bowman was ready to try again — this time well-trained for the task. He ended up winning the whole thing. It wouldn’t be his only win.
He also won the 100-kilometer race in the 2024 Grindstone Trail Running Festival. He took home first place finishes in 2023 at the 50-kilometer Tecumseh Trail Challenge and 50-mile Dances with Dirt Gnaw Bone in Nashville, Indiana. He also placed 10th at the Leadville Trail 100, a 100-mile course through the Rocky Mountains known as one of the country’s most competitive ultras.
“The goal is to finish, that’s the number one goal,” he said. “Yeah, you can run fast as a secondary, but if you go in the race saying, ‘I want to run fast,’ you’re probably not going to finish the race.” Bowman said it’s important for runners taking on an ultra to remember why they’re doing it — he looks back on these motivators when he’s hurting during a race or in a dark place. This August, Bowman will travel to Chamonix, France, to compete in the prestigious Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc. The 106-mile race circles the Mont-Blanc summit and leads runners through Italy, Switzerland and France. Runners will attempt to run more than 32,000 feet of vertical gain during the race — higher than Mount Everest’s summit’s elevation. Bowman expects it to be a gruesome test of his endurance. But when he hits those moments in August when he wants to slow down, walk or even quit, he will think about his family. About his sobriety and his faith. And about a life without ultras, where all it might not have existed.
IU adds Tennessee assistant Rod Clark to coaching staff
Clark will work under IU men’s basketball head coach Darian DeVries in
By Dalton James jamesdm@iu.edu | @DaltonMJames
While Indiana men’s basketball head coach
Darian DeVries continues to rebuild the Hoosiers roster ahead of the 2025-26 season, he’s also adding to his inaugural coaching staff in Bloomington. DeVries hired former University of Tennessee assistant coach Rod Clark, according to CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein’s X post May 30. The Knoxville News Sentinel’s Mike Wilson confirmed the news just minutes after Rothstein’s post. Clark joins three other coaches on DeVries’ staff:
• Former West Virginia assistant coach Nick Norton Former Georgetown University — and Indiana — assistant coach Kenny Johnson
• Former University of Cincinnati assistant coach Drew Adams Indiana Athletics has yet to officially announce Clark’s, Johnson’s and Adams’ hirings. The 32-year-old Clark spent the past four seasons under Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes and played a key role in landing players such as Dalton Knecht, who Indiana also pursued, and Chaz Lanier out of the transfer portal in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
Knecht arrived at Tennessee from the University of Northern Colorado and became an Associated Press First Team All-American in his lone season with the Volunteers before being selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2024 NBA Draft. Lanier, who also played just one season at Tennessee, transferred to Knoxville
from the University of North Florida — where Indiana portal additions Jasai Miles and Josh Harris previously played. Lanier was instrumental in the Volunteers’ run to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight in 2024-25, draining a programrecord 123 3-pointers throughout the season.
Prior to arriving at Tennessee ahead of the 2021-22 season, Clark spent the 2020-21 season as an assistant coach at Austin Peay State University. His first collegiate coaching stop came at the University of Illinois at Chicago in 201920. Ahead of making the move to the college ranks, Clark was an assistant coach at national preparatory basketball powerhouse Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas, from 2017-19. He advanced his skills in player development,
Christ Community Church
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Bloomington Young Single Adult Branch
2411 E. Second St.
To Contact: Send message from website maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/ wards/237973
Sunday: 12:30 p.m.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has four congregations in Bloomington—Three family wards and our young single adult branch for college students. This info is for the YSA Branch. Weekday religious classes at 333 S. Highland Ave, Bloomington IN 47401, next to campus.
More info at churchofjesuschrist.org.
Lutheran - Missouri Synod
University Lutheran Church and LCMS U Student Center
607 E. Seventh St. 812-336-5387 indianalutheran.com facebook.com/ULutheranIU instagram.com/uluindiana
Sunday:
9:15 a.m.: Sunday Bible Class
10:30 a.m.: Sunday Divine Service
Wednesday:
Student Center open daily:
9 a.m. - 10 p.m.
The LCMS home of campus ministry at IU, our mission is to serve all college students with the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ, located across from Dunn Meadow and the IMU. The Student Center is open daily for study, recreation, and prayer. For full schedule, visit our website.
Rev. Timothy Winterstein - Campus Pastor
United Methodist
Jubilee
219 E. Fourth St. 812-332-6396 jubileebloomington.org
Facebook: First United Methodist Church of Bloomington, IN Instagram: @jubileebloomington
Sunday: 9:30 a.m., Classic Worship
11:45 a.m., Contemporary Worship Wednesday: 7:30 p.m., College & Young Adult Dinner
Jubilee is a Christ-centered community open and affirming to all. We gather on Wednesdays at First United Methodist (219 E. 4th St.) for free food, honest discussion, worship, and hanging out. Small groups, service projects, social events (bonfires, game nights, book clubs, etc.), outreach retreats, and leadership opportunities all play a significant role in our rhythm of doing life together.
Markus Dickinson - jubilee@fumcb.org
Inter-Denominational
Redeemer Community Church
111 S. Kimble Dr. 812-269-8975 redeemerbloomington.org facebook.com/RedeemerBtown
Instagram & Twitter: @RedeemerBtown
Sunday: 9 a.m., 11 a.m.
Redeemer is a gospel-centered community on mission. Our vision is to see the gospel of Jesus Christ transform everything: our lives, our church, our city, and our world. We want to be instruments of gospel change in Bloomington and beyond.
Chris Jones - Lead Pastor
503 S. High St. 812-332-0502 cccbloomington.org facebook.com/christcommunitybtown Instagram: @christcommunitybtown
Sunday: 9:15 a.m., Educational Hour 10:30 a.m., Worship Service
We are a diverse community of Christ-followers, including many IU students, faculty and staff. Together we are committed to sharing the redeeming grace and transforming truth of Jesus Christ in this college town.
American Restoration Movement
North Central Church of Christ
2121 N. Dunn St. 812-332-2248 nc3family.org Facebook.com/nc3family
Sunday: 10 a.m., Worship 11 a.m., College Class
Come learn about historic Christian teaching on theology, ethics, and culture. We offer an alternative to the post-modern ideologies and teachings you often see in your lives today.
Shane Himes, PHD - Senior Minister
6004 S. Fairfax Rd. 812-824-3600 allsaintsbloomington.org
Christian Science Church
2425 E. Third St. 812-332-0536 bloomingtonchristianscience.com facebook.com/e3rdStreet Sunday Church Service:
loves, guides and cares for each one gives a sense of peace and joy. We appreciate the Christian Science Monitor news magazine for its integrity, fairness and compassion.
(Christian Science Monitor) csmonitor.com Christian Science
College Mall Rd. 812-331-1863 bloomingtoninbahais.org facebook.com/Baháí-Community-ofBloomington-Indiana-146343332130574
Instagram: @bloomingtonbahai
Sunday: 10:40 a.m., Regular Services,
video breakdown and scouting as the top assistant on the coaching staff. Clark was also a collegiate player himself. He played his
first two seasons at the junior college level at Neosho Community College and then Redlands Community College. He then finished his playing career at National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ Lindsey Wilson College, where he graduated in 2015.
SAUL YOUNG/KNOXVILLE NEWS SENTINEL
Then-Tennessee assistant coach Rod Clark is pictured. Indiana head coach Darian DeVries hired Clark to his first staff in Bloomington on May 30.
Dickerson, Denny propel IU to series-clinching win
By Joe Elms jpelms@iu.edu
Freshman infielder Hogan Denny, having just connected on an RBI single, stepped up and blasted a two-run home run over the wall in right field, putting Indiana baseball up 4-1 in the top of the third inning.
Denny’s play was a major factor in the Hoosiers’ win over Abilene Christian on May 3 at Crutcher Scott Field at Bullock Brothers Ballpark in the second game of the teams’ three-game weekend set.
Redshirt sophomore outfielder Korbyn Dickerson put Indiana’s first run on the board in the top of the first inning, when he hit an RBI single into right-center field.
Denny then hit an RBI single to put the Hoosiers up 2-0. Following Wildcats’ junior infielder Nick Arias’s RBI that cut Indiana’s lead in half in the bottom of the second inning, Denny
launched the two-run homer to bump the Hoosiers’ lead up to three runs.
Dickerson hit a home run of his own in the top of the fifth inning, bringing in three of his four RBIs on the day.
Freshman infielder Jake Hanley launched a home run into right field later in the frame, and Indiana found itself with an 11-2 lead.
Abilene Christian didn’t put much of a dent in the Hoosiers’ advantage, and Dickerson finished off the scoring by bringing in another run via a wild pitch. The score put the final touches on a 14-5 victory for Indiana.
Denny had another strong performance, going 3 for 4 with the home run, three RBIs and two runs.
Dickerson added to his outstanding season with three hits, three runs and led the Hoosiers with four RBIs.
Society of Friends (Quaker)
Bloomington Friends Meeting
3820 E. Moores Pike
812-336-4581 bloomingtonfriendsmeeting.org
Facebook: Bloomington Friends Meeting
Sunday (in person & Zoom) :
9:45 a.m., Hymn singing
10:30 a.m., Meeting for Worship
10:45 a.m., Sunday School
(Children join worship 10:30-10:45)
11:30 a.m., Refreshments and Fellowship
12:30 p.m., Events (see website)
Wednesday (Zoom Only) :
7 p.m., Meeting for worship for Peace
Friday (Zoom Only) :
9 a.m., Meeting for worship
We practice traditional Quaker worship, gathering in silence with occasional Spirit-led vocal ministry by fellow worshipers. We are an inclusive community with a rich variety of belief and no prescribed creed. We are actively involved in peace action, social justice causes, and environmental concerns.
Peter Burkholder - Clerk burkhold@indiana.edu
Non-Denominational
Christ Community Church
503 S. High St. 812-332-0502
cccbloomington.org
facebook.com/christcommunitybtown
Instagram: @christcommunitybtown
Sunday: 9:15 a.m., Educational Hour
10:30 a.m., Worship Service
We are a diverse community of Christ-followers, including many IU students, faculty and staff. Together we are committed to sharing the redeeming grace and transforming truth of Jesus Christ in this college town.
Bob Whitaker - Senior Pastor Adam deWeber - Worship Pastor
Dan Waugh - Adult Ministry Pastor
Christian Student Fellowship
1968 N. David Baker Ave. 812-332-8972 csfindiana.org
Instagram: @csfindiana
Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Christian Student Fellowship (CSF) exists as a Christ-centered community focused on helping students truly know Jesus Christ. Our ministry operates from an on-campus house where students can live. Reach out to schedule a tour of the house or a visit to our Thursday night worship service!
Ben Geiger - Lead Campus Minister
Stephanie Michael - Campus Minister
Joe Durnil - Associate Campus Minister
Hailee Lutz - Office Manager
City Church
1200 N. Russell Rd. 812-336-5958
citychurchbloomington.org
tiktok: @citychurchbtown
Instagram: @citychurchbtown
Sunday Service: 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11:45 a.m.
City Church is a multicultural church on the east side of Bloomington. We provide transportation from campus. Our college and young adult ministry meets on Tuesday nights.
David Norris - Pastor
Sacred Heart Church
615 N. Fairview St. 812-345-5239 sacredheartbloomington.org facebook.com/sacredheartbloomington
Sunday: 10:30 a.m.: Refreshments and Fellowship 10:45 a.m.: Worship Service Tue., Wed., Thu.: Midweek Meals (Check Facebook)
Sacred Heart is a nondenominational church that seeks to follow Jesus by acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with God. We strive to be a safe, inclusive community where you can bring your doubts, questions, struggles, and joys before a loving God and find true belonging. All are welcome! Dan Caldwell
Episcopal (Anglican)
Canterbury Mission
719 E. Seventh St. 812-822-1335 IUCanterbury.org facebook.com/ECMatIU
Instagram & Twitter: @ECMatIU
Youtube: @canterburyhouseatiu9094
Sunday: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Mon., Wed., Thu.: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday: Noon - 8 p.m. Fri., Sat.: By Appointment
Canterbury: Assertively open & affirming; unapologetically Christian, we proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ by promoting justice, equality, peace, love and striving to be the change God wants to see in our world.
Ed Bird - Chaplain/Priest
Independent Baptist
Lifeway Baptist Church
7821 W. State Road 46 812-876-6072 lifewaybaptistchurch.org facebook.com/lifewayellettsville
Sunday: 9 a.m., Bible Study Classes 10 a.m., Morning Service
5 p.m., Evening Service
*Free transportation provided. Please call if you need a ride to church.
Student Ministry: Meeting for Bible study throughout the month. Contact Rosh Dhanawade at bluhenrosh@gmail.com for more information.
Steven VonBokern - Senior Pastor Rosh Dhanawade - IU Coordinator 302-561-0108 bluhenrosh@gmail.com
United Church of Christ and American Baptist Churches-USA First United Church 2420 E. Third St. 812-332-4439 firstuc.org facebook.com/firstuc
Sunday: 10:30 a.m., Worship
Monday: 10 a.m. via Zoom, Bible Study
We are an Open, Welcoming, and Affirming community of love and acceptance dedicated to welcoming the diversity of God’s beloved. We exist to empower, challenge, and encourage one another to live out Jesus’ ways (compassion, truth, and justice) authentically as human beings in community to create a better world.
Rev. Jessica Petersen-Mutai Senior Minister
Baptist Emmanuel Church
1503 W. That Rd. 812-824-2768 Emmanuelbloom.com Instagram & Facebook: @EmmanuelBloomington
Sunday: 9:15 a.m., Fellowship
Sunday: 10 a.m., Worship Groups: Various times
Emmanuel is a multigenerational church of all types of people. Whether you are questioning faith or have followed Jesus for years, we exist to help fuel a passion for following Jesus as we gather together, grow in community, and go make disciples.
John Winders - Lead Pastor
Second Baptist Church
321 N. Rogers St. 812-327-1467 sbcbloomington.org facebook.com/2ndbaptistbloomington youtube.com/@secondbaptist churchbloomington
Sunday Service: 10 a.m., In house and on Facebook/YouTube Sunday School: 8:45 - 9:45 a.m. Bible Study: Available In House and on Zoom Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m., Thursdays, Noon
Please come and worship with us. We are in training for reigning with Christ! Need a ride? Call our Church bus at 812-3271467 before 8 a.m. on Sunday
Rev. Dr. Bruce R. Rose - Pastor Tallie Schroeder - Secretary
Unitarian Universalist
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington
2120 N. Fee Ln. 812-332-3695 uubloomington.org facebook.com/uubloomington
Sunday: 9:30 a.m.,11:30 a.m. via in person or livestream
We’re a multi dynamic congregation actively working towards a more just and loving world. We draw inspiration from world religions and diverse spiritual traditions. Our vision is “Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, Changing the World.” A LGBTQA+, Dementia Friendly, Welcoming Congregation to all ages and groups and a Certified Green Sanctuary.
Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Rose House LuMin & St. Thomas Lutheran Church
3800 E. Third St. 812-332-5252 Stlconline.org lcmiu.net
Instagram: @hoosierlumin facebook.com/LCMIU facebook.com/StThomasBloomington
Sunday: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. @
Rose House LuMin and St. Thomas Lutheran Church invite you to experience life together with us. We are an inclusive Christian community who values the faith, gifts, and ministry of all God’s people. We seek justice, serve our neighbors, and love boldly.
Rev. Adrianne Meier Rev. Lecia Beck Rev. Amanda Ghaffarian - Campus Pastor
Unity Worldwide
Unity of Bloomington A Center for Spiritual Growth
4001 S. Rogers St. text/call: 812-333-2484 unityofbloomington.org
IG: @unityofbloomington facebook@UnityofBloomington
Sunday Celebration: 10:30 a.m.
Discover a vibrant, welcoming community at Unity of Bloomington – “a positive path for spiritual living”. Our center offers a space for spiritual growth; embracing all with open arms. We proudly affirm and welcome the LGBTQ+ community, fostering love, acceptance, and inclusion. Join our loving congregation, where everyone is valued and encouraged to explore their spiritual journey. At Unity of Bloomington, all are welcome and together we thrive!
Minnassa Gabon - Spiritual Leader
Phyllis Wickliff - Music Director Reformed Protestant
Trinity Reformed Church
2401 S. Endwright Rd. 812-825-2684 trinityreformed.org lucas@trinityreformed.org facebook.com/trinitychurchbloom
Sunday: 10:30 a.m., Sunday Morning Services 7 p.m., Bible Study at the IMU
Jody Killingsworth - Senior Pastor Lucas Weeks - College Pastor
LAUREN MCKINNEY | IDS
Redshirt sophomore outfielder Korbyn Dickerson hits the ball during a game against Michigan State on April 6, 2025, at Bart Kaufman Field in Bloomington. The Hoosiers clinched the series victory over Abilene Christian on May 3.