13 WTHR IndianapolisTent-less students camp out for IU game

Tent-less students camp out for IU game

Update: Wednesday afternoon, students in line were given vouchers for tickets and sent home. The line to get in will now only be allowed on game day. University officials citing safety and finals week for their decision.

In a scene from Hoosier glory days of the past, IU students are grabbing a spot in line for a front row seat to Saturday's basketball game with Kentucky.

Pitching their lot is okay, but pitching a tent is another story.

From breakfast of hot cakes and sausage to pizzas delivered from anonymous sources, food has not been a problem to the students at Camp Crean. The undefeated Hoosiers take on the top-ranked Kentucky Wildcats Saturday at Assembly Hall.

"I want to be there and be a witness to the future of IU basketball," said Allison Fulton.

That is refreshing, even encouraged, but pitching a tent is not. Some students did just that on Tuesday and were told to take it down. That caught Camp Crean by surprise, since tents were allowed a year ago when students camped out for the Purdue game.

"Not even a year later, we're told we can't pitch tents, so we are kind of wondering what changed in a year, that we can't do what they did last year?" said Connor Sullivan.

"We were just told if they do it, then Occupy Bloomington will take over the campus," said Ward Webber.

Currently, Occupy Bloomington's tent city is pitched just off campus, along Kirkwood Avenue. There is free food there, as well, prepared on site at a makeshift cafe. Eyewitness News asked some of the demonstrators what they thought about the irony that they are allowed to camp out, but IU students are not.

"Whenever the agreement started, they were not supposed to be tents and it kind of happened anyways. Everyone moved in and now, I guess they are permanently here to stay," said Kristen Nicholson.

But back on campus, the focus is clearly on the Wildcats.

"We don't want it to be about that, though, we just want it to be about IU and Kentucky," said Zack Wojtowicz.

Students at Camp Crean have a generator, a television and are working on a spreadsheet.

"We are working on making a spreadsheet to make sure the next three days are covered by someone," said Drew Morales.

"We are not trying to protest anything, we are just trying to stay warm," said Tim Madden.

That point is in black and white, but they are college students, after all.

"We think it's a violation of our civil rights," said Andy Best.

They are hoping to make their case courtside Saturday night at Assembly Hall.