Reuniting History

Who doesn’t love a reunion?

It’s a time when friends who may not have seen each other for many years reminisce, exchange personal stories, and catch up on everything new in their lives. Photos are generally taken, endless questions asked, and hugs and handshakes exchanged. I look forward to reunions for months, even years in advance, especially since they only come around every five or ten years. But the reunions I am talking about are not family reunions or the reuniting of my high school class, even though I do enjoy them. I am referring to the championship team reunion celebrations that take place across each state, every year, celebrating a basketball accomplishment that may have taken place decades ago. Although every celebration is important in its own right, I have tried to attend the reunions of those teams that have left a large imprint in high school basketball history. 

My family traveled to Muncie, Ind. for our first reunion celebration in February 2004.  Muncie Central High School has fielded a boys basketball team for over 100 years, and is Indiana's winningest program with the most state championships (8 State Titles, 7 runner-ups), but our 850 mile round trip was to meet the team that beat them in the 1954 state championship game – the Milan Indians. All basketball fans are familiar with the Milan story. A town, with a population of 1,150, and a school of 161 students — 73 boys, win the one-class Indiana state championship against powerhouse Muncie Central (enrollment 1,662), on a last-second shot by Bobby Plump. Milan is arguably the most famous small town in high school sports history. More than 40,000 people came to Milan the next day to congratulate and celebrate with them.

After traveling throughout the night, we made our way to the reunion celebration at a local Muncie hotel.  We chatted with the 1954 Milan team, including Ray Craft, Gene White, Bobby Plump, Glenn Butte, Bob Engel, Rollin Cutter, and Roger Schroder.  We talked to the 1954 Milan players about their 28-2 season, the championship game, playing ball together growing up in Pierceville Ind., coach Marvin Wood, playing against Oscar Robinson, one-class basketball, and the list goes on and on.  

 

Milan's Bobby Plump

Even though we were tired, we stayed to watch the present day Milan and Muncie Central varsity teams play each other in Muncie Central’s historic Fieldhouse.  The game was even broadcasted live on ESPN Classic and a special ceremony took place at halftime to honor both the 1954 Milan Indians and Muncie Central teams. This was the first time we witnessed Hoosier Hysteria and it was unforgettable. The crowd of 6,500 was loud throughout the game, even when Muncie Central took a commanding lead in the second half.  The spectators near us were amazed that we would drive from Missouri to celebrate the occasion.  We told them the game may have taken place in Indiana, but the story belongs to basketball coaches, players, and fans across the country.  The Milan team continues to reunite each year for various events, meeting fans and telling the story of how they were able to slay Goliath.

 

The next reunion we attended was in 2006 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the making of the sports movie, Hoosiers. Released in 1986, the film was inspired by Milan's 1953-54 championship season. As everyone knows, the film is about a small-town Indiana high school basketball team, the Hickory Huskers, that overcome adversity to win the 1952 state championship.

Huskers team photo, which still hangs in the gym today

We were excited to hear that the movie's writer, Angelo Pizzo, and four members of the Hickory Huskers team would attend the reunion in Knightstown, Ind, in the gym made famous by the movie. We arrived early to The Hoosier Gym and were able to spend some time talking to the fictional Huskers - Steve Hollar (Rade), Brad Long (Buddy), Wade Schenck (Ollie), and Maris Valainis (Jimmy Chitwood) -  as well as, a few of the local supporting cast members.

A few of the Hickory teammates had not seen each other in years and in almost all cases, they had not been back to The Hoosier Gym since the filming. When Robert Swan (Rollin - assist. coach) walked in and approached the grown players, you immediately knew that he had not seen them since 1985. And you immediately knew that they had a great working relationship while filming the movie, because many hugs and stories  were exchanged.  We talked to them about everything from the making of the movie, its impact on them personally, the passing of Kent Poole, to playing high school basketball in Indiana, since all members of the Huskers were local high school players. 

Jaryt and I with the Hickory Huskers in 2006

We asked Steve and Brad if they get tired of the recognition or talking about the film and they quickly responded that they do not.  They also said they don't mind being called their character's name when out in the communities.  Although they did not realize that the movie would become what it is today, they were honored to be apart of it.

The Hoosier Gym

Although some of the Hickory Husker players were successful in their own right during their high school playing days, they will always be remembered for their inspirational roles in Hoosiers.  And The Hoosier Gym will always be taken care of by the community, so visitors traveling through Indiana on Interstate 70, can stop in to shoot a few baskets, look at the movie memorabilia, tour the locker rooms, and walk through the gym doors and say "Welcome to Indiana basketball".

I enjoyed the reunion so much that in July 2010, I went back again for the 25th anniversary reunion, making it seven times that I have traveled to Knightstown and visited The Hoosier Gym. The Hoosier Gym actually holds the reunion each June, although the movie's cast comes back every 5-10 years.

Meeting with Maris at the 25th anniversary reunion

Maris and Angelo catching-up

If you want to experience Hoosier Hysteria at its finest, make the trip to Knightstown in June and watch the Hoosier Reunion ALL-STAR Classic Basketball Game. The game showcases the top Indiana high school players in a competitive game, where the teams play for either Hickory or Terhune.  If you stay the weekend, you will enjoy an evening sock hop and 50’s diner-style dinner, a golf-outing, as well as, the opportunity to watch the movie Hoosiers in the famous gym.

We attended the 2009 Hoosier Reunion ALL-STAR Classic Basketball Game

My most recent reunion trip was in Illinois. I was thrilled to learn that Collinsville would be organizing a 50th reunion celebration in January 2011 for the 1961 Collinsville Kahoks state and national championship team. I wanted to make this trip for several reasons. I wanted to tour the gym named after legendary coach, Vergil Fletcher, as well as, meet the team who some include in the "greatest Illinois high school team" conversation.  I also wanted to meet Fred Riddle and Bogie Redmon, who were All-State and All-American players who would go on to play ball at Iowa and Illinois.

Riddle, Redmon, Ron Matikitis, Nathaniel Bykit and Joe Brennan of the 1960-61 team - which finished undefeated 32-0 - along with a few cheerleaders and Violet Fletcher, widow of coach Vergil Fletcher all gathered to celebrate as the group.  All were honored before Collinsville's game with Triad.

Introduction of the 1961 Kahok championship team

Presentation of the new Collinsville Kahok team photo

Both Riddle and Redmon were given the microphone during the celebration. Riddle told the crowd that there was only one person who made this special and that was coach Vergil Fletcher.  Redmon mentioned that the state title was the pinnacle of his athletic career.  At Illinois, he beat Kentucky and UCLA, but the highlight was the 1961 state tournament. The Collinsville fans reacted to these comments with loud cheers. 

Talking with Fred Riddle (left) and Bogie Redmon (right)

You might ask what our next reunion celebration trip will be?  We were excited to learn that on Sunday, March 11, 2012 (tentative date) at 11:30am, Hebron, Ill will hold a 60^th anniversary celebration of the beloved 1952 Hebron Green Giant state championship team.  If you are from Illinois and a basketball fan, you know the Hebron story.  Alden-Hebron High School is the smallest to win the Illinois boys' basketball championship.  In 1952, the school had just 98 students in attendance when they won the coveted single class state title with an overtime victory over Quincy. Go to the “Hebron Green Giants of 1952” Facebook page to learn more about the reunion celebration.

1952 Hebron Green Giants

What makes these team reunions memorable is not only the time spent hearing everyone's stories or asking the team questions, but the fact that you get to see them interact with their teammates, coaches, community and fans. It takes them back to the days of young, when playing the game was fun. When winning at the high school level was special because they were playing alongside teammates who they had grown up with.  In many ways, these teammates are as close as brothers. They enjoy living the dream once again together, with the people closest to them, even though it is only for a few days. After attending a few of these reunion celebrations, I have came to the conclusion that they are much more special than a reuniting to celebrate an important accomplishment. I guess you can say that the gatherings are a family reunion.  Because that is what good high school teams are...FAMILY.