IU football has had a season for the history books this year.

It’s a moment in history that mother and daughter Marie and Debbie Anderson have been waiting for.

Marie and Debbie Anderson have been working for IU football games since 1984. Their work has since expanded to other IU events, like basketball. Photo by Daniel Healey, IU Events

“Back in ’84, a friend asked if I’d want to work at IU events; I was like, ‘Heck yeah!’” Debbie said. “So I called my mom and asked if she’d also want to work them. We’ve been doing them ever since.”

The duo has worked in most locations at Memorial Stadium for IU football games ever since, missing only one game that they remember in 40 years. They worked there when the stadium only had bleachers on the field. They worked in each respective end zone, in different entry ways, on the field and now, most recently, in the press box.

“Can I tell you what IU football means to me now?” Marie said during a recent interview. “This year, this is a moment I’ll never forget. We were unbeaten. It was the first sellout crowd I’ve ever seen.

“I stepped out of the press box where I was working, before the team came out. The stadium was filled to capacity. Red everywhere. It brought tears to my eyes. It was so beautiful.

“I’ve waited 40 years for that moment.”

To talk with Marie and Debbie is a history lesson: It’s been quite a journey at Memorial Stadium in 40 years, watching the team change and grow. They both grew up loving IU sports, living nearby in Bedford.

Debbie and Marie Anderson attend a rare IU football game as fans. Photo courtesy of Debbie Anderson

They started working under coach Bill Mallory, IU’s winningest football coach, who worked from 1984 to 1996. They also have fond memories of coach Terry Hoeppner, who passed away in 2007 of complications from a brain tumor.

“And we worked a lot of really memorable games,” Debbie said. “When we beat Ohio State and Michigan at home, that was — oh gosh, must have been 1988. Those headlines, no one’s ever forgotten them.”

“We’ve had different coaches over the years, but I tell you, I’d give anything to meet Coach Cignetti. He’s awesome,” Marie said.

Their work at IU events has expanded since they started with IU football. In later years, Marie and Debbie they’ve also worked at IU basketball games, becoming recognizable faces to fans nearby.

“People ask us why we’ve continued to work these games and events for so long, and we’re like, ‘We have made so many friends that come to the games,’” Marie said. “They remember us. They might come to one game a year and seek us out.

“For men’s basketball, I work behind the announcers. Umpteen people come in and chat with me, and they’re my IU family. I had two women come up to me last year and tell me they’d come all the way from California, and they’d remembered me from a past game they’d attended.”

Debbie stops for a quick photo with actor Don Diamont while at an IU football game. Photo courtesy of Debbie Anderson

“She’s like a celebrity at these games,” Debbie said of her mom. “They want their picture with her every year. She’s been recognized in New York, Florida, and of course all over Bedford.

“We were having dinner one night, and a gentleman came up to her and asked if she was the person who worked at the IU games! One night, I didn’t see her in her usual spot, and there she was taking photos at center court with fans.”

Beyond sports, the Andersons work with other events staff at IU Bloomington’s graduation, the New Student Induction and Little 500.

“Graduation is one of our top favorites,” Debbie said. “It’s so special to see the new students at the New Student Induction ceremony, and four years later, to see them graduate.

“I also have to say that IU Events staff are just amazing. They treat you like a guest in their own home and go above and beyond to make you feel welcome. Some of them have given rides to stranded guests when a vehicle wouldn’t start, or stayed with lost kids and adults until they were reunited with family.”

“I love that,” Marie said. “And we have become family and great friends with the other employees. We keep in touch to this day to former staff and employees.”

And now they are looking forward to what’s to come when the Hoosiers play at Notre Dame in the College Football Playoffs next week.

“This has just been a magical season — once in a lifetime,” Marie said. “Well, I hope it’s not once in a lifetime; I hope every year could be this way.

“I’ve just had a feeling since this team started. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime feeling, and it’s happening in my lifetime.”