Twitter’s popularity has made a rather substantial impact on the way many fans consume their sports.
The Twittersphere has become a sports bar of sorts where fans can interact with athletes, other fans and voice both pleasures and displeasures. It’s also become one of the main ways people learn news.
With the Indiana football season right around the corner, we've compiled a list of 10 non-media types Hoosier fans should be following to keep up with the team this fall. This is not a comprehensive list by any means, but it's a starting point.
You should also take the time to follow TheHoosier, Sam Beishuizen, Stuart Jackson and Jordan Wells on Twitter if you haven't already. With that in mind, let's get to our alphabetical list.
Who?: @ChoccoBoomStick and @Griffin_Oakes (The Players)
Why?: OF COURSE we had to include the specialists on this list. They seem to always end up being the most entertaining guys on the team. Indiana kicker Griffin Oakes and punter Joseph Gedeon are a dynamic duo on Twitter. Each has their own comic flair to them and make them two of the most, if not THE most, entertaining player follows on Twitter. Oakes himself admits to purposely trying to be fun on Twitter because it makes other people happy. That being said, Zander Diamont, Mitchell Paige and Alex Rodriguez all make strong cases as well.
Who?: @ChronicHoosier
Why?: Chronic is only one person, but he's a voice of the people. If you ever need to take a pulse on where Hoosier Nation stands, just head over to his timeline and let him be the judge. He's just as quick to get behind the Field Hockey program as the Men's Basketball team, giving educated insight and opinion on all things Indiana athletics.
Who?: @coachpechac
Why?: Mike Pechac, Indiana's Director of Player Development, gives an inside look at what the team is doing whether it be hanging out at practice, a community service event or wherever else they might be. He always seems to be in a good mood, too.
Who?: @FakeCoachWilson
Why?: We'll get to the real head ball coach in a little bit, but Fake Coach can be just as fun. He enjoys handing out #HelmetStickers and just about anything that has to do with crock pots or bacon. He gives pregame speeches that would inspire just about anybody and unlike the real Coach Wilson, he gives updates throughout the games.
Who?: @HoosierFootball
Why:? The official account for the program is quick to Tweet game updates and post pictures from behind the scenes events and interviews. And if you're a fan of a team, you should probably be following that team anyway.
Who?: @IUArtifacts
Why?: Relatively new to the IU Twitter world, IU Artifacts is a neat follow for Indiana fans in general. The account posts historical photos showing old programs, tickets and other neat memorabilia. You never really know what's about to pop up on IU Artifacts' feed much like Rick Harrison never knows what is going to walk through the doors of his pawn shop.
Who?: @IUCoachWilson
Why?: Naturally, it makes sense for a fan of a team to follow the head coach of that team. Kevin Wilson is no exception, and he's also an entertaining follow. Few people know how to get the most out of 140 characters quite like Coach Wilson does. And his #BOOM Tweets are always there to signal a new commitment.
Who?: @ProBallHoosiers
Why?: ProBallHoosiers is a must-follow for fans who like to keep up with Indiana players after they turn professional. The account is almost always the first to Tweet out stats, results and other updates from Hoosiers in the pros.
Who?: @PuntJohnPunt
Why?: The guys over at PuntJohnPunt do a really nice job of analyzing Indiana football in a way the mainstream media members don't. Nobody digs deeper into the stat sheet than these guys.
