An estimated 200 people attended the Indiana-Northwestern football game on Oct. 30 as part of IU's inaugural LGBT Day at Memorial Stadium on the Bloomington campus.
However, the visiting Wildcats won, 20-17.
Still, Jon Kitto, 52, an associate director at IU, said it was, "a crazy success."
"Everybody seemed to have a good time, just as if it was any other game," Kitto said. "There was only one negative comment reported and it was, 'I don't know why LGBT people get a special day. The response was, 'Everyone is special at IU. We offer deals to people from Kokomo, The Optometry School, The African American Alumni Group, The Expatriate Alumni Group, etc. ... Everyone is special!'"
Kitto said the special day had two surprises: "There was a lot of interest in people donating tickets so that young LGBT people and volunteers from different organizations can go [ to the game ] , and, there was a lot of interest really late, like the two days before.
"We weren't prepared for either of those this year, but we will be next year."
Kitto added: "Next, we are encouraging everyone to get out and support men's and women's basketball, especially [ the ] women's [ team ] their program and coach have been especially gracious to our community."
Kitto said the highlight of the football game was the transgender recipient of the GLBT Alumni Association Scholarship sent him a text during the game saying, "This is so much fun! I have been shaking my pom poms all day!"
Within the Hoosier Village, a big-tent tailgate party, there was a special welcome table for the LGBT fans. The president of the alumni association, the athletic director and other IU staff members were there to greet fans.