NBC 2 Videographer AJ Schub, who covered the Hoosiers for the last four years, gives us insight into IU's tumultuous relationship with their famous ex-coach.
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| Courtesy si.com |
September 10, 2000, the last day Bobby Knight had anything to do with Indiana University. That was the day that Miles Brand, then Indiana University President, announced that he had fired Knight for violating a zero tolerance code of conduct policy enforced by the school. Kent Harvey, then a player, told school officials Knight had grabbed him by the arm for disrespecting the coach. Hoosier nation was divided. Should Knight have been fired, or given every opportunity to stay until he decided to hang up his whistle? The decision was not theirs to make and Knight would leave Bloomington for good not long after he called for 2,000 students camped outside of Assembly Hall to calm down and go home.
For the last decade plus Knight has avoided the words "Indiana University" and "Hoosiers" as if he was a religious man who refused to use the lords name in vein. A couple of years ago Knight led a segment for ESPN analyzing the Ohio State Buckeyes, and in particular, Jared Sullinger. Who was the team Sullinger and the Buckeyes were beating up on in the highlight? The Indiana Hoosiers. Knight constantly referred to IU as "the other guys" or "that team" as if to say he still was not ready to even mutter the dirty word, Hoosiers.
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| Courtesy The Herald Times |
Indiana University, and Athletic Director Fred Glass have taken a proactive approach to reconnect the university with Bob Knight, but they have also been careful to not anger or push the knowingly stubborn coach. Knight was inducted into the IU Hall of fame in 2009, and of course, was not present. I attended a sports communications class at Indiana University last fall where Glass spoke about the relationship he was repairing with Coach Knight. He confirmed that he and Knight had spoken in Indianapolis, but there was little progress made. Knight did respect that Glass reached out, but he still was not ready to have a role with Indiana.
Tom Crean has also embraced the history of the Indiana University Basketball program since taking over the head coaching job in 2008. He understands that the program was able to turn around and be competitive so quickly partially because of the foundation that Knight already laid. Crean, along with Glass, brought back the 1983 Big Ten Championship banner that hangs above the north side of Assembly Hall. It was a gesture to Coach Knight. The 1983 banner was known as "The Fans Banner" and that team meant a great deal to Coach Knight. Crean also brought in the 1987 National Championship team last season to honor their 25th anniversary. The entire team and coaching staff returned, minus Knight. His face did sit atop a commemorative poster of the group.
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| Courtesy NYTimes |
So has Bob Knight finally taken a step on his own to rejoin the Indiana basketball family? He may have been contractually obligated and does need money for his grand children's college funds. Maybe ESPN told him he had to announce this game or he would be fired. He also may just not care. This isn't Knight going to Bloomington and announcing an IU game inside Assembly Hall. This is a neutral site game (Coach Cal's favorite!) featuring the number one team in the country. Knight can no longer avoid Indiana because they are no longer in the cellar. They will now be a fixture on ESPN for years to come if Tom Crean keeps doing his job right. If that is the case, then Knight needs to be ready to call Hoosier games. He can't pretend IU doesn't exist forever. Maybe this is step one in an overdue process to reunite the coach with his people, maybe this is just an assignment that Knight is forced to work, or maybe Knight will back out of the gig and this post will be meaningless. Guess we will find out sometime before Monday November 19th at 5:30 EST.
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