So we’re continuing our education on IU’s new coach Tom Crean, and, well, we didn’t know he had such a fan club.

I mean, hail, hail Tom Crean? Was he THIS big in Milwaukee?

[youtube width="425" height="335"]http://youtube.com/watch?v=E7Gs2pjpJvs[/youtube]

Apparently there was another Tom Crean from the early part of the 20th century. That Crean was an Irish seaman that became somewhat famous for his exploration of Antarctica. And his fame got him this wacky song. Who knew?

If you can’t understand all the lyrics, here they are … and you’ll be required to sing them at the first game at Assembly Hall (County Kerry is in Ireland, if you’re curious):

Hail, hail, Tom Crean, hail, hail, Tom Crean,
He’s the bravest man that the world’s ever seen.
Hail, hail, Tom Crean, hail, hail, Tom Crean,
He’s the Irish giant from county Kerry.

Walked thirty-five miles in the Arctic alone
To save Teddy Evans from making his bones.
He went down to the south with Shackleton and Scott,
Won three polar medals and a coward he’s not.
Faced death many times, but he never backed down.
Came home to Anascaul, his little home town.

Hail, hail, Tom Crean, hail, hail, Tom Crean,
He’s the bravest man that the world’s ever seen.
Hail, hail, Tom Crean, hail, hail, Tom Crean,
He’s the Irish giant from county Kerry.