LITTLE GIANT STADIUM, YOU SERVED US WELL
Hollett Little Giant Stadium has served as home for our football and track teams since 1966, and though I’ve only known it since the 1980s, I can’t help but think back on some of the moments I spent there as a player, a coach, and a broadcaster. As we look forward to the new Little Giant Stadium being built for the 2020 season, I thought I’d share a few memories with you—I’m sure many of you have your own.
• As a player, my senior year in 1984, I recall how we were leading in the Bell game 34-26 early in the fourth quarter. Our offense then went on a nine-minute drive to score a touchdown with a minute or so remaining to seal the win. I will never forget our huddles during that drive; the looks on the faces, the confidence, and the determination about what we had to do.
• As a coach, I remember when the 1994 Bell game was broadcast by ESPN2. That was a huge deal. The kickoff was scheduled for 10 a.m., and something happened then I have never seen since: We returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, only to be followed by the Dannies getting lucky and returning the following kickoff for a touchdown. Of course, we won (I would not have included this if we hadn’t).
• Our win over North Central College in 2011 in the second round of the playoffs is one for the books, and I was a member of the broadcast team. We were getting it handed to us and trailing 21-0 at halftime. When NCC scored to make it 28-7 late in the 3rd quarter, I said on the air that I was afraid that it was the “nail in the coffin.” But, Wabash Always Fights, and simply started winning the battle. We converted more than one fourth-and-long-yardage situations, scored late to make it 28-27, and converted the 2-point conversion to win 29-28. The win felt similar to our victory over Dayton in 1982—we were the underdogs, got behind, and scored late to beat very good teams.
Little Giant Stadium, you have provided countless memories that will live with me and with others forever. On your grounds, blood, sweat, tears of sorrow, and tears of joy have been shed. You have united the Wabash community for 53 years. Little Giant Stadium, you are Some Little Giant!
STEVE HOFFMAN ’85 Director, Alumni and Parent Relations hoffmans@wabash.edu