South Decatur boy to attend IU championship game

(MIAMI) – A South Decatur student will be cheering on IU in the National Championship game tonight. 

10-year-old Drew Shouse was born with a rare condition known as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. He has overcome multiple open-heart surgeries and other operations.

He’s always been a fan of the IU football team and has received some pretty cool opportunities over the years, including a trip to the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.

The opportunities have been made possible through the nonprofit organization Team Impact which connects children facing serious illnesses to college sports teams. 

He got a big surprise recently when he received a video message from IU quarterback Fernando Mendoza and other Hoosiers players. 

“Hey Drew, we know you were with us at the Rose Bowl and there is no way we can go to the National Championship without you,” Mendoza said. 

Drew traveled to Miami on Saturday and he and his family will be at the game cheering on the Hoosiers as the team aims for its first-ever national championship. 

The 15-0 Hoosiers will face 13-2 Miami and the game will air at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.