Two historic Indiana colleges. One legendary football rivalry. And a shared commitment to making Indiana a better place.
At The Arc of Indiana, teamwork is a pretty big deal. We spend our days working together to advocate for people with disabilities, create opportunities, and build stronger communities across the state.
But for one week in November, things might be a little competitive in the Development Department.
You see, our Director of Development, Alex Parker, is a proud graduate of DePauw University. Meanwhile, our Senior Director of Advancement, Ashley Poff, has a son who is currently a student and football player at Wabash College.
If you’re familiar with Indiana college football, you probably know where this is going.
It’s Monon Bell time!
A Rivalry More Than 130 Years in the Making
For those unfamiliar with the Monon Bell Classic, it’s one of college football’s oldest and most celebrated rivalries.
The DePauw Tigers and Wabash Little Giants first faced off in 1890. In 1932, the Monon Railroad donated a 300-pound locomotive bell to serve as the trophy for the annual matchup. Ever since, the winning team has earned bragging rights and possession of the famous bell.
The rivalry has inspired generations of players, students, alumni, and families. It’s a tradition filled with school pride, unforgettable moments, and more than a few stories about attempts to steal the bell.
And this year, the rivalry is making a little history of its own.
All Roads Lead to Muncie
On November 14, the 132nd Monon Bell Classic will be played at Ball State University’s Scheumann Stadium in Muncie. It’s the first time since 1922 that the game will be played at a neutral site.
For Muncie, it’s an exciting opportunity to welcome fans, alumni, students, and families from two of Indiana’s most storied colleges. Visitors will have a chance to experience the city’s restaurants, hotels, shops, and hospitality while enjoying a beloved Indiana tradition.
And for The Arc of Indiana, there’s another reason we’re especially excited to see the Monon Bell come to Muncie.
Muncie is already a pretty special place to us.
In 2016, The Arc of Indiana Foundation opened Erskine Green Training Institute (EGTI) in downtown Muncie. The first-of-its-kind postsecondary vocational training program helps people with disabilities gain the skills, experience, and confidence to pursue employment in hospitality, food service, healthcare, and other industries.
For more than a decade, the Muncie community has welcomed EGTI students, supported their training, and helped demonstrate what can happen when businesses and communities recognize the talents and contributions of people with disabilities.
So while thousands of fans will be coming to Muncie to celebrate a football tradition, we’re also celebrating a community that has helped make new opportunities possible for Hoosiers with disabilities.
A Little Friendly Competition Never Hurt Anyone
Alex will be cheering for the Tigers. Ashley will be cheering for the Little Giants.
There may be some good-natured teasing, a few questionable predictions, and possibly some strategic choices about which school colors to wear to the office.
But that’s part of what makes the rivalry special.
DePauw and Wabash have both spent generations educating students, developing leaders, and contributing to communities throughout Indiana. They have different traditions, different identities, and, of course, very different opinions about where that bell belongs.
Yet both institutions share a legacy of academic excellence, leadership, service, and a deep commitment to the state they call home.
And that is something worth celebrating, regardless of the final score.
Different Colors. One Shared Mission.
At The Arc of Indiana, we believe some of the best things happen when people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences come together around a common purpose.
It’s how communities grow stronger. It’s how barriers are broken down. And it’s how we continue to advance opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Indiana.
Whether we’re advocating for policies that support people with disabilities, helping families navigate complicated systems, or creating pathways to employment through programs like EGTI, our goal is the same: an Indiana where people with disabilities can learn, live, work, and fully participate in their communities.
So yes, on November 14, Alex will be rooting for gold, and Ashley will be cheering for scarlet.
And while only one team can take home the Monon Bell, we know that when it comes to making a difference for Hoosiers with disabilities, we’re all on the same team.
And it’s not lost on us that when scarlet and gold come together, we get something pretty special… Arc Orange.
Good luck to the Tigers and Little Giants! We’re looking forward to a great game, a great day for Muncie, and maybe just a little peace in the office when it’s all over.