Knight To Go Into IU Hall Of Fame
Nine years ago, my second-favorite college coach of all-time was fired by then-IU president Myles Brand for breaking a “no-tolerance” policy. But as of today, IU has chosen Bob Knight to be inducted into their sports Hall Of Fame this fall. Others inducted will be: Steve Downing (basketball, 1972-73) Katrin Koch (women’s track, 1989-92), Joe Norman (football, 1975-78), Mike Rabold (football, 1956-58), and Alan Somers (swimming, 1961-63). Since his firing, Knight hasn’t returned to IU. One of the most famous quotes sports history is when Knight said, “When my time on Earth is gone, and my activities here are past, I want they bury me upside down, and my critics can kiss my ass.”
Knight could not be reached for comment by ESPN until Monday, but now Indiana AD Fred Glass said that, “I am honored to have been a part of selecting this outstanding class of tremendous coaches and student-athletes. For my first Hall of Fame class to include heroes from my childhood as well as my student days is a dream come true.” The ceremony is November 6th, at a dinner. The following day they will introduce the HOF nominees at halftime of the Wisconsin-IU football game.
Ever since Knight was canned at Indiana, the program has since gone downhill, having 4 four coaches in 9 years. The only true bright point was the national title game run in 2002, defeated by Maryland, ending a 25-12 season for the Hoosiers, the farthest run they’ve had since the 1991-92 Final Four season with Knight at the helm. In 2008, the Kelvin Sampson scandal was certainly one of the lowest points for the program, when he lied to the NCAA about “knowingly violating telephone recruiting restrictions.” This time though, it looks like they have found the right main for the job in ex-Marquette coach Tom Crean. Some have began to call it the “Crean and Crimson” era.
