Indiana football linebacker Rolijah Hardy attended his first-ever sporting event at Assembly Hall.

The Hoosiers expected starting linebacker cold called coaches to find a landing spot after attending the Naval Academy Preparatory School.

Hardy put his athleticism and playmaking ability on display in a standout performance last year against Western Illinois that opened the door for more playing time.

BLOOMINGTON — There was a time when Indiana football linebacker Rolijah Hardy would have jumped at the chance to run out of the tunnel at Assembly Hall wearing the program’s iconic candy-striped warm-ups.

Hardy attended his first sporting event at the venue as a three-year-old hoops fan to watch his aunt, Angela Freeman (née Hawkins) , suit up for the Hoosiers.

He couldn’t recall the

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