Indiana – For Mark and Bridget Rogers, Indiana University football has always been more than a game—it’s been the heartbeat of their relationship for nearly four decades. The Fishers couple first met in 1985, a connection sparked on the very grounds where Mark had spent his college years as a kicker for the Hoosiers from 1981 to 1985. Their shared love for IU football quickly became the foundation of their story.
“We were engaged in the parking lot of the football field, so we were outside the stadium,” Mark said, recalling a moment that would cement both their relationship and their lifelong connection to the team. Bridget added, “I played my senior year, and I think Bridget was able to attend all of my games, home and away that year, so that started our journey together, and we ended up getting married in June of ’86.” That same year, the couple also bought their first IU football tickets, beginning a tradition that would span decades.
Inside their Fishers home, the walls are adorned with memorabilia and mementos that reflect their passion for the Hoosiers. From game-day programs to photographs, IU football has remained a constant, binding them through life’s milestones. “Lots of snow, lots of rain… We basically raised our girls in the bleachers,” Bridget said. Their family grew up surrounded by the sounds of cheering crowds and the rhythms of the football season, a backdrop to ordinary and extraordinary moments alike.
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The couple has witnessed the full spectrum of their team’s journey, from tough seasons to historic victories. Their dedication reached new heights as IU excelled on the national stage, including appearances at the Rose Bowl and the Peach Bowl. “So to see them excel at the Rose Bowl, it was like a home game, right? And it was so exciting and then to see them excel at the Peach Bowl and… it does leave you speechless,” Bridget said. Mark, reflecting on the team’s accomplishments as a former player, added, “Unbelievable as a former player to see where they are now is something that we never expected… it’s just unbelievable.”
As Indiana prepares for the national championship, the Rogerses are ready to cheer louder than ever. For them, the highs and lows of football mirror their own life together. “For us having been through 40 years of thick and thin, I think IU football has drawn us closer, and we’ve loved the highs, and we’ve persevered through the lows, and that’s true of our marriage and our football team,” Bridget said.
Mark and Bridget Rogers’ story is a testament to the enduring power of shared passion. Their love for each other and for IU football has intertwined in ways that go far beyond the stadium. After 40 years of cheering, traveling, and celebrating together, they are not just fans—they are living proof of a lifetime devoted to love, family, and the Hoosiers.
