IU championship celebration, Mendoza autograph session set for this week

• Parking lots to the venue open at 10am, and gates open at 11:30am.
• The "Walk to the Rock" — a pregame tradition where fans can interact with players as they make their way to the stadium — begins at noon.
• The event will include commemorative championship rally towels and be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network.

Zoom in: Ahead of the bash, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza will host an autograph signing Wednesday night at the Dick's Sporting Goods in Bloomington's College Mall.

• Mendoza's appearance is scheduled for 5-6:30pm, and he will be signing complimentary branded photo cards.
• Wristbands required to attend the event will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis when the store opens at 9am.
• Only 250 wristbands will be distributed.

Catch up quick: The Hoosiers capped their 16-0 season by beating the Miami Hurricanes 27-21 to claim the program's first national football title.

• Mendoza and defensive end Mikail Kamara — who blocked a punt in Monday's title matchup to help IU's defense score a touchdown — were named the game's offensive and defensive MVPs.
• The victory made IU the most recent collegiate athletic program to win national championships in football and basketball with undefeated teams.

Go deeper: Relive Indiana University's national championship