A moment like this, especially as an Indiana University graduate, was a story that we simply needed to capture in our recent Business & Community BUILDERS video series and magazine issue, and worth sharing here too. It’s a great example of a positive culture change at IU - with commitment, leadership, and dedication across the board to make it happen!
Sonder Brewing, Mason, Ohio, January 19th, 2026 - written by Jeff Dattilo.
As an IU graduate and fan, this was a game to watch with other Indiana University fans. It was the college football national title game and the Hoosiers, not known for football a few years ago, were playing for the championship against the Miami Hurricanes with their Heisman Trophy quarterback, Mendoza. That’s amazing right there.
Justin Neff, owner and President of Sonder Brewing, and a proud IU alumnus, helped create a fun and special watch party with all the right touches: his own IU candy striped overalls and refreshing enthusiasm, Hoosier Light, $1 wings, pre-game activities, a tuba player for touchdown cheers, streamers throughout, and the local Hoosier fans cheering on in a nail-biting championship game up until the last play. Thanks Sonder for building community and helping us celebrate together.
We watched the determined and daring Coach Cignetti go for it twice on 4th down in the 4th quarter: 1) on a 19 yard back-shoulder fade completion to WR Charlie Becker (Cincinnati Elder’s Dave Becker’s son), and 2) on a 4th and 4 QB draw from the 12 yard line as the warrior Mendoza, with his lip split and arm bloodied from Miami’s defense, broke tackles and went airborne with a head first, “all-in” dive to reach the end zone for a TD. The Hoosiers persevered, winning the championship with a perfect, rare, and unexpected 16-0 season, fascinating the whole country.
It was more than a game and bigger than one college. It’s about turning around a football program with many players who transferred from other schools, with a hunger to win, getting their chance. And it’s a story about changing the program’s culture, thanks to many people committing to it and raising the bar, including financial donors, university leaders, coaches, and the players.
It was a lot of fun all season long for Hoosier Nation, to be part of a historic season that we waited for so long. We loved wearing our Hoosiers gear. We loved cheering together with other IU grads and fans. It meant something. We were proud of Indiana University, proud to be on the big, national stage! And it meant something to Sonder owner Justin. Seeing his daughters and son give him a long, big hug after the championship game. Priceless!
Amazingly, this undefeated football season is 50 years after Bob Knight’s basketball team went 32-0 to win it all in 1976.
Yes, this is material for a Hoosiers II movie - this time with football as the sport!
Indeed, it was ONE FOR THE AGES!
#story #culture #hoosiers