New AD Scott Dolson Wants to Get IU on the 'Cutting Edge of a Modern Day Football Program'

Scott Dolson wants to take IU to the cutting edge Image: Amanda Pavelka Hoosier Huddle

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

Scott Dolson has been involved in Indiana athletics for several decades and he likely envisioned his introduction as the school’s new athletic director would be quite different than what it has been. However, the continued crisis of COVID-19 has changed the world and Scott Dolson’s first question and answer session was held via teleconference on Thursday morning.

Dolson served as IU’s Deputy Director of Athletics from 2009 to present and he witnessed the investment Fred Glass put into football and he has seen the benefits that has had. However, he has also seen enough to know IU is nowhere near done with investing in the critical success of football.

“Football is huge for us,” Dolson said. “I’m stating the obvious for obvious reasons. One of the things that I was very fortunate with is that Bill Mallory took me under his wing, I’m extremely grateful for that. He gave me invaluable advice along the way on what he felt were important things to do to build the program. He and Fred and I talked. That’s a continued investment in the program. What I mean is, not just money, which is important, but also just a vision for what does the program need to be on the cutting edge of a modern day football program.”

IU’s new athletic director went on to talk about the needs of increasing fan support and creating a better game day experience. The Hoosiers averaged an announced attendance of 41,244 for the 2019 season. They did not sell out one game despite hosting both Ohio State and Michigan and having a team that went 8-5 (5-3) and was ranked in the top-25 for the first time since 1994.

“To increase crowds, to do all what we need to do on that end, it’s important we have a great marketing and sales plan. We will do that. We’ll be aggressive that way. But fan experience is a really big deal. The modern day fans’ needs are changing.”

In order for the athletic program to thrive as a whole, the football program needs to be healthy. Under Tom Allen, the Indiana Hoosiers have momentum. In order to capitalize and build on that recent success, Scott Dolson and the athletic administration will need to invest or the program will inevitably slip back into irrelevance.

The Hoosiers are still currently slated to open the 2020 season at the Wisconsin Badgers on Friday, September 4th.