After five weeks of exploration, the plains of Illinois dwindled into the Wabash River Valley as Mr. Gibson finally returned “Back home again to Indiana.” With all the sights he had seen and all the memories he had created, the trip was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. With twelve states and twelve campuses crossed, Gibson was ready to come back to the great Hoosier state. Gibson’s homecoming was imminent, and he made sure to leave the best institution last.
As Gibson entered the Hoosier state, he entered the inky town of West Lafayette, home of the Purdue Boilermakers. The river-bordered college town has seen many historic moments, which has led to an utterly annoying fanbase (in my opinion…) that many Indiana high school students seem to flock to each and every year. The campus skyline is full of bustling apartments and student housing, as Purdue’s enrollment is steadily increasing by the masses. The coveted elite engineering program has seen many likes from pilots to astronauts, and is known as one of the very prestigious universities around the country. Along with this, Purdue’s agricultural program is top-notch with a multitude of majors within the field, literally and figuratively. As students walk the campus, Ross-Ade Stadium sticks out in the distance, which is home to the school’s football team. While their program has not been the most successful, their squad has seen the greats of athletes like Raheem Mostert and Drew Brees. Even though Purdue’s football team might be considered subpar, their basketball program makes up for it in contrast. Mackey Arena houses the squad, which one day hopes to hold up banners from National Championship seasons… The home of black and gold houses some solid food spots, which have been viewed nationally by many TV shows and food magazines. Triple XXX and DT Kirby’s Street Food are novelties of the Purdue campus, which help bring tourism to the irky town. With his multitude of hatred towards Purdue University, Mr. Gibson put his bias to the side in order to truly appreciate the beauty… of the campus. Even though their fanbase can be a strain to listen to, Purdue’s campus boils up to make up for it.
After his mandatory time in the little brother program in Indiana, Mr. Gibson headed on I-465 around Indianapolis to get on the red brick road to Bloomington, Indiana, the home of Gibson’s very own, The-Indiana Hoosiers. As Gibson reached his alma mater, all of the memories came flooding back from his time in B-town. Nostalgia is a big word brought up in his piece, a feeling that can provide comfort, a sense of security…home. As one of the most passionate Hoosier fans out there, who bleeds cream and crimson throughout, the moment he found his homecoming must have been something special. The ivy-lined walls, the shades of red in the streets, the bustling nightlife, IU offers it all. The beauty of the campus is unmatched, and everything it offers is beyond anyone’s wants and needs. The foothills of southern Indiana provide protection to this midwestern sanctuary, which offers top-notch medical, business, and law programs that have made Indiana University into the prestigious school it is today. Memorial Stadium grazes its skyline as its football program takes a vital turn for the better. At this moment, newly hired Coach Cignetti has led the Hoosiers to a perfect 4-0 start and led the offense to break 200 points through these games, the first team to do so this season. Even though their football team is on the rise, it will always be nothing compared to their historic basketball program. The blue-blood Hoosiers had their peak in the 1970s and 80s when they were led by Hall-of-Fame coach Robert Montgomery Knight, who took them to victory in 1976, 1981, and 1987. With their five total championships, they trump over Purdue in many ways possible, no matter what their delusional fan base states. These historic runs have been housed in Assembly Hall, a timeless venue which has been known as one of the best and largest in the NCAA since its construction in 1971. Overall, the IU campus provides anything a student could want or need. Hoosier students will never go hungry, too, with places like Mother Bear’s Pizza and Nick’s English Pub that give both small-town warmth and trendy brewery atmospheres. With all of these amenities, who can get bored with the Hoo-hoo-hoo- hooooosiers?
And like that, it was over, the trip of a lifetime had come to a close. Mr. Gibson had traveled through thirteen states and explored fourteen schools. The B1G Man on Campus had ended his tour, but the impact this trip had was just getting started. To Mr. Gibson, this trip was more than just a vacation, it was an opportunity to fulfill his dreams. As many know, Gibson has a special spot in his heart for Big Ten basketball, but many do not know how this obsession set aflame.
As a child, Mr. Gibson grew up watching college athletics with his father, where they would dream about trips to stadiums and restaurants around the schools they watched. Their bond over famous stadiums and restaurants grew and grew, but sadly their plans were never able to be done together. When Gibson saw the opportunity to execute this trip, he knew he was doing it for both of them, which meant more than just the grant money. His passion for anything Big Ten reached far beyond himself. His goal, like his father did for him, was to pass this love on to the next generation.
Even though the trip was meticulously planned and researched, surprises were inevitable throughout the six weeks. With the amount asked for, the fluctuation of prices caused Gibson to shift his whole trip. In typical Gibson-fashion, he adjusted flawlessly and made the best of the situation. Not all surprises were negative, however, with Gibson finding surprise museums over his many other interests. One interest he picked up along the way was the art behind campus gardens, with Gibson finding interest in the many spaces and arboretums along the Big Ten trail. The last surprise was a huge one, with Gibson finding a love for a campus far away from home, Penn State. He fell in love with Happy Valley and the campus provided the perfect environment for learning and having fun, and overall as a stunning college town. When asked, Gibson said he wished he had known about the beauty of the many other institutions around the conference during his college search, and he would have applied to Penn State as a solid option for collegiate studies. Even though Gibson’s heart remains in Bloomington, Penn State will go down as the B1G Man on Campus’s top stop.
From the shining seas of the East Coast, to the happy homes of the Midwest, the Big Ten stretches across the heartland of the United States. The importance of these universities is vital for academic growth and research to help build a bigger and better country as a whole. Even though the executives folded for the growth of super-conferences, the four new expansion teams still represent the Big Ten’s core values and expectations as highly competitive academic and athletic institutions. The silver lining of conference expansion is the bright future of collegiate sports, which will only benefit schools in the long run. Mr. Gibson’s road trip across the conference showed the shining history of each university and gave an in-depth look into each campus for anyone wanting to spend their future at any of these fantastic schools. The Big Ten will live forever in history and will care for the future of the country until the end of time. For Gibson, the effort he put into this trip was impeccable, and proved to students that it is worth it to “Dream Big”.
