Frankfort's Blue Chip Coach

For many years, my father drove east through Frankfort, Ind. on Indiana State Road 28 on his way to Fairmount.  Every time he passed Frankfort High School, he would point out the arena that set back off the highway while trying to imagine what the large structure looked like inside.  It's rounded exterior, yellow brick facade, and large white dome was contrast to the smaller rectangular or barrel roof gymnasiums that he was accustomed to in Missouri.  

What my father didn’t know as he drove by Case Arena all those years was that he had seen the interior before.  And what he thought was an innovative marvel didn't compare to the coaching legend and innovator who it's named in honor of. 

Never did he imagine while admiring the arena from afar, that years later he would be inside playing basketball.



Frankfort's Case Arena

In the fall of 2008, we visited Frankfort's Case Arena and as we pulled into the parking lot, I could read what my father was thinking - "I told you it was one-of-a-kind." Built in the early 1960s, the arena is ranked as the 22nd largest high school gymnasium in Indiana with a capacity of 5,509. Known throughout the state for it's architectural design, Case Arena is also home to one of the most unique school mascot names, the Frankfort Hot Dogs. Case Arena could very well pass for a college basketball arena. Well, in a way it did in 1994.  This is one of the reasons we added it to our list of gyms to visit.

Case Arena interior & court

Scoreboard with the Hot Dog mascot



Upper bowl bleachers retracted 

Case Arena became the homecourt for the Western University Dolphins in the basketball movie, Blue Chips, starring Nick Nolte, Shaquille O’Neal, and Anfernee 'Penny' Hardaway.  In the movie Nolte plays college coach Pete Bell who is under a lot of pressure to win. To attract the blue chip caliber players, he agrees for boosters to secretly pay recruits in order to return to a winning program.  In the end, he would step down as coach.

The movie also brought many of the finest basketball players and coaches to town, such as Bob Knight, Bob Cousy, and Rick Pitino, since three Western University home games were played in Case Arena.  Although the exterior shots of the arena were filmed at the University of Southern California, all interior shots including the games and locker room scenes where filmed in Frankfort.  A few pieces of movie memorabilia and photos remain in a glass case in the arena’s lobby.  If you're ever lucky enough to go inside the boys basketball locker room, you will find the signatures of a few of the players and coaches from the movie on a wall.  Although faded, the signatures still remain today.

Although the movie filmed inside the arena led us to Frankfort, it's the name on the arena's exterior that we enjoyed learning about the most. 

Most people identify Everett N. Case as the successful coach at North Carolina State University (NC State) who would later be considered the “Father of the ACC”, but his coaching roots began in Indiana.

Everett N. Case

Born and raised in Anderson, Ind., Case would graduate from Anderson High School in 1918 knowing that he wanted to coach basketball.  His first coaching job would come as an assistant coach at Connersville High School.  A year later he would become the head coach at Columbus High School recording a 20-10 record. The following year, he became head coach at Smithville High School where his team compiled a 32-6 record.

His next move was to Frankfort where his legendary career took off. He would coach Frankfort from 1922 to 1932 and then again from 1935 to 1942.  Case would coach Frankfort for 17 total seasons and compile a 385-99-1 record.  He averaged 23 wins per season and only 6 losses. Case won 14 of 15 Regional Tournaments and 15 of 17 Sectional Tournaments.  He would also become the first coach to win four State Championships with wins in 1925, 1929, 1936, and 1939.

Not only would Case contribute to the success of Frankfort and put the town on the basketball map, he would contribute to the game on a state and national level as well.

The 1936 State Championship game would have significance because it ended in a double overtime time against Indianapolis Tech.  After the second overtime everyone was tired so the coaches agreed to call it a tie.  This decision impelled Case to request a rule change that no basketball could end in a tie. 

After winning the State Title in 1939, Case organized an Indiana All-Star team to compete against his 1939 team.  The All-Star game was taken over by the Indianapolis Star, which would evolve in 1943 into the historical all-star event still played today with Kentucky in which both states would host an All-Star game.

Another of Case’s contributions to the game would happen as a result of one of the most memorable Frankfort games.  In 1926 as Logansport was on the way to play Frankfort, they got stuck in a snowdrift. As a result, the game would start just a little before midnight.  When Logansport, who was one of the best teams in the state that year, took a 7-6 lead, Frankfort would inbound the ball and stall at the far end of the court for the last 11 minutes of the first half.  Logansport stalled in the second half until they were called for a traveling violation. The turnover lead to Frankfort again stalling until 5 minutes left in regulation.  They would then execute a few set plays and go on to win 10-7 but the stalling on the far ends of the court would led to the 10-second rule we have today.

In 1942, Case would leave Frankfort for the United States Navy, where he was commissioned to serve in the physical education development area and assigned to coach among other responsibilities. He would be discharged in 1946 following the end of World War II.  After evaluating his basketball coaching options, which included a return to Frankfort, he chose to sign a long term contract as head coach at NC State.

Coaching at NC State

Over the next 18 years, Case would bring superiority basketball to the southeastern region of the nation.  When first arriving to Raleigh, football ruled the South. Case was largely credited with making basketball an obsession in the state as we see today.

Unfortunately, as Nolte's character Pete Bell would circum to winning at all costs in the movie Blue Chips, Case would also be tied to recruitment and point shaving violations that would result in multiple year probations. Shortly thereafter during the beginning of the 1964-65 season, Case would step down as head coach of NC State due to inoperable cancer. He would name his top assistant, Press Maravich, as his successor. 

Cutting down the nets - a ritual that Case would popularize

He would end his NC State coaching career with a 377-134 overall record (.738 winning percentage); Southern Conference Championships in 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952; and ACC Championships in 1954, 1955, 1956, and 1959. Additionally, he would capture ACC Coach of the Year honors in 1954, 1955, and 1958. Case's teams finished third in the 1947 NIT and third in the 1950 NCAA Tournament.

Case was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 1964, the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1968, and the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1982.

While coaching at the high school and college levels, Case would be responsible for many innovations and contributions to the game, both on and off the court.  Some of the notions that Case thought of or popularized are as follows:

• Instituted rule that a game cannot end in a tie in the state of Indiana
• Time clock. At one time, a stop watch was used as the timer. No one except the timer knew how much time remained.
• Numbers on player jersey
• Cutting down the nets after a tournament victory
• Announcing starting players before the game
• Using the full-court press for long stretches of a game
• Institution of the 10-second line
• First Basketball Camps
• One of the first to film games and review film to prepare for a game
• Play music before games
• Invite a pep band to play at games

In 1966 at the age of 65, Everett N. Case would lose his battle with cancer.  He would divide his estate among 220 of his former players.

Everett N. Case (1900-1966)

It is also said that Case asked that his body be laid to rest in Raleigh Memorial Park Cemetery facing North Carolina Highway 70 so when future NC State Wolfpack teams traveled to play Duke and North Carolina, they could wave at him – and he would wave back.

Everett Case will never be forgotten in Frankfort.  The arena that bears his name is almost as large as his list of career accomplishments and contributions to the game.  Hollywood couldn't have wrote a better coaching story.

In the years since touring Frankfort's Case Arena, my father has drove by it numerous times.  Where he once looked over and pointed at the large round arena in wonder, he now points and reminisces about his day of playing basketball inside. 

Our photo that appeared on the front of the Frankfort newspaper

The Key to Making Thomas Gym Special

"Before Hebron's Green Giants, before Cobden's Appleknockers and before Class A made all arguments meaningless, Pinckneyville was the symbol of small-school basketball triumphing over all odds." - Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune

On any given morning, afternoon, or evening, you can hear a basketball bouncing in Pinckneyville, Ill. The community of 3,400, in southern Illinois, is filled with rich basketball tradition dating back to the early 20th century and it will only be adding more when the town square opens its doors to the Illinois High School Basketball Hall of Fame & Museum in 2013. Pinckneyville is one of the most recognizable basketball programs, regardless of size, throughout the state. It was due to their recognition, success, and tradition that Pinckneyville’s Merrill "Duster" Thomas Gymnasium was a must-visit during our Illinois basketball trip.


Pinckneyville's Merrill "Duster" Thomas Gymnasium

While driving east on IL-51 outside Pinckneyville, anxiously on our way to West Frankfort, our family chatted particularly about what stories and gym features stood out to each of us. We agreed that most gyms have only a few characteristics that make it unique, such as its age, design, features, home court winning percentage, program success, etc. but the 2,400-seat Thomas Gymnasium was special since it encapsulated a handful of these measures.

The gym is truly one of the most colorful gyms that you will step into. Although I may be referring to the school colors that adorn the gym, I am also speaking of the intriguing stories and history that make the gym unique, special,…colorful. At the time of its construction, it was considered one of the state’s best high school basketball facilities. Sixty years later, it still reins among the best and is key in sustaining the program's success throughout the year.

So what makes Duster Thomas Gymnasium so special?

It all starts with the coaches who the gym and floor have been named in honor of.

Photo of "Duster" Thomas inside the gym

It can be debated that legendary coach, Merrill “Duster” Thomas, is amongst the state's greatest coaches. From 1938 to 1957, he compiled a 460-128 record (.78 winning %), while coaching the Panthers into the single-class state tournament eight times in ten years from 1947-56. More impressive, he would appear in the Final Four five times. In 1947-48, his Panthers finished their season with a state championship and a 33-1 record. His teams would place third in the state tournament in 1952, 1953, and 1954. Thomas’ 17 and 7 record in the state tournament puts him on a very short list of coaches who have won at least 70 percent of all state tournament games coached. As a monument to Duster Thomas’ accomplishments and the state championship in 1948, a special bond issue would pass and finance the build of the state of the art gymnasium, which would later be named in his honor.

"High school basketball was king in southern Illinois in the 1940s and 1950s and nowhere was it bigger than in Pinckneyville." - Taylor Bell, Chicago Tribune

Photo of Dick Corn and team inside gym

Most programs would be lucky to have one legendary coach lead their team, but Pinckneyville has had two. While the gym is named after Thomas, the court is named in honor of coach Dick Corn. Coach Corn retired in 2007 after 32 years as Pinckneyville High School’s basketball coach only after he compiled a career record of 708 wins and 260 losses (.73 winning %), with four state tournament appearances, including state championships in 1994 and 2001, a second place finish in 1988 and a fourth place trophy in 2006. Corn’s teams won 20+ games from 1983-1996 and his 23 Regional Championships ranks first in state history among all Class A coaches. He is a two-time winner of the State Coach of the Year award and earned National Basketball Coach of the Year in 2003.

Combined, these legendary coaches won 1,168 games in 51 years, while only losing 388 (.750 winning %), which was key in putting Pinckneyville on the basketball map and keeping them there. The Panthers have won over 1,500 games and appeared in the State Finals Tournament 11 times.

Gym and Court named in honor of coaches

As unique as the program is with capturing three championships, the gym’s unique design puts it into a small fraternity as well. The underground “bowl” design was patented by architect Ralph E. Legeman of Evansville, IN. He came up with a simple solution to a large problem, which was to build a gymnasium that could hold large capacity crowds but at a low construction cost. Legeman felt that his underground “bowl” design would be economical in construction, safe and convenient in use and attractive in appearance. In Legeman’s design, only the roof and upper walls stand above ground. In addition, the underground design would allow the spectators to enter the seats from above and leave in the same route, without interfering with persons on the playing floor and without obstructing the views of the persons in the seats.

Legeman’s design became so successful that he would eventually design 27 bowl gymnasiums for both high school and college and license 10 others during the late 1940s, 50s, and 60s. Pinckneyville’s Thomas Gymnasium would be amongst the first to be built with the design. It would accommodate Pinckneyville’s entire population and after it opened in 1952, the team would win 58 consecutive home games. Recently, as Pinckneyville is in the process of building a new school to replace the current 80 year old facility, they will build around the current school, partially because they do not want to lose Thomas Gymnasium. When construction talks turned to moving forward with building at other locations, the idea was always stopped because of the gym.

Unique underground "Bowl" design

While walking around the "bowl" concourse, you will notice another unique feature of the gym. White reserved chair seats line the top of the bowl, as well as, the first two rows near the playing surface. Brad House, a Pinckneyville High School alumni and friend, shared the following story with me about the rarity of having a season ticket with a chair seat. He said that in 2007, his mother received a phone call from the school, informing her that there was finally a chair seat open for her husband if he still wanted it. Brad’s father had passed away in a coal-mining accident in 1984. Brad mentioned that apparently his father had been on the waiting list since 1975.

White Chair Seats surround the floor and the concourse above

As the community and visitors enter Thomas Gymnasium, one of the first features to catch your eye is the Navy and Columbia Blue official school colors that ring loudly throughout the gym. The colors are displayed proudly on the court, walls, basket supports/post, seats, and in many other areas throughout the facility. Columbia Blue is so unique, that it is used as one of the two or three color symbols for only 3 high schools in Illinois, including Pinckneyville, Centennial High School (Champaign) and Prospect High School (Mt. Prospect). In fact, only 102 high schools, colleges, and universities nationwide have Columbia Blue as part of their official school colors.

Another feature of the gym that stood out to us was the display of past accolades. In the gym's corners, around the upper concourse, large pictures of each of the state championship teams hang to commemorate the program's three state championships. Also at the entrance of the gym, numerous trophy cases line the walls, encasing the hardware once won at state and various tournaments, letter jackets, team photos, and even a large "State Tournament History" plaque, which showcases the Panthers' tournament success.

"It takes an endless amount of history to make even a little tradition." - Henry James

1948 State Championship photo hanging in the gym's corner

Trophy cases at gym's entrance



IHSA State Championship Trophies

I even asked legendary coach Dick Corn what his fondest memories were of Thomas Gymnasium. He replied "game nights - the excitement and energy in the building. On big game nights (championships such as conference, state playoffs, etc) there was no finer venue to experience high school basketball.”

The electric atmosphere that Thomas Gymnasium creates on game nights is memorable but the hidden "gem" that takes place everyday at the gym fascinated us most. Our key to why Thomas Gymnasium is special is the fact that you do not need a key to enter Thomas Gymnasium and play basketball. Most outside the Pinckneyville community are not aware of this benefit that is unique compared to most schools.



Available to the community to play basketball

When conversing with the Pinckneyville coaches off to the side of the court, it was mentioned that Thomas Gymnasium is left open to the community to walk in and play basketball at their leisure. When the special bond issue was put to vote in the community in the late 1940s/early 1950s to build the new gym, this specific clause was added.

I asked coach Dick Corn about the policy and he replied, “the gym is open to the public during the school year when school is in session. It opens when the janitor arrives in the a.m. and closes when they leave in the evening around 9 pm. School activities get preference. I opened it on the weekends and the janitor closed usually at 6 pm when he would check the buildings. Summer hours were usually 6 am to 3 pm. There have almost never had any vandalism as well as the people and the community really police it themselves.”

Coach Corn mentioned that in the few cases when something was broke, it was quickly reported by the individual(s) who were liable. He also said “ the Insurance carrier warned the board that if they ever closed the gym and then wished to restart the old policy it couldn't do so. Presently, the school was not liable because of an established community expectation.”

While most who take advantage of the open gym policy are those who’ve graduated, you have to wonder how much this policy plays into keeping the Pinckneyville Panther basketball tradition thriving. Your surroundings play a huge part in your upbringing and to stay motivated in what you enjoy in life, such as basketball, the environment around you must provide inspiration. So imagine as a young kid having the daily convenience and access to stop by the gym to refine your skills in the presence of all the tradition that surrounds you. It is a priceless benefit for the community and the inspiring ball player.

"Basketball-ville, U.S.A."

We finally came to the conclusion that there is no one reason why Pinckneyville's gym is special. Ask any Pinckneyville community member or any basketball fan throughout the state, and you will hear various reasons why they either love or hate the gym. Love it, because of its uniqueness, electrifying atmosphere, and what it represents. Or hate it, because their own visiting team's challenge to leave there victorious.

The one common agreement would be that the gym is one of the finest basketball facilities in the state, but if you want to take a look and decide for yourself, you're welcome to do so...the doors are open. 





Keeping Score of Wingate

In the game of basketball, both keeping time and score are a critical part of game operations.  Without the clock, a game can not exist and without a score, a winner can not be determined.  The same can be said about preserving a town's basketball heritage. One may delay keeping score or track of it's school's basketball records, stories, and traditions, but time will not.  Over generations, history can be lost. But when preserved well, they can live on forever. 

As we traveled north on Indiana State Road 25 in October 2004, we didn't know what to expect in the small town of Wingate, Ind.  This was a spur of the moment decision as we were running ahead of schedule on our trip to Muncie to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Milan’s 1954 state championship game.  Located in western Indiana, Wingate is only 6 miles off Interstate 74 near Crawfordsville.  This part of the state is known as "The Cradle of Basketball" because the first eight state champions came from a three-county, 30-mile radius.



We had read about the early Wingate teams winning the state's first back-to-back Indiana state championships in 1913 and 1914, in only the third and fourth years after the state’s inaugural state tournament in 1911.  Wingate even won a state and a national championship in 1920, but our true intention for the visit was to see the historic barn that once played host to Wingate’s home games in the first half of the 20th century. 



Wingate Gymnasium on High Street

Not knowing where the historic barn was located, we made a visit to a local cafe in the middle of town to ask directions. Upon entering, the wall to our right was decorated with trophies, pennants, newspaper articles, and team photos. All proclaiming Wingate's basketball heritage.  These basketball artifacts spurred conversation to any outsider who would enter, and the regulars inside were honored to speak of the old Wingate teams.  We soon learned about the town's decorated past, including the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame inductees Wingate produced including, Jesse Wood, Pete Thorn, Alonzo Goldsberry, and most noteably, Homer Stonebraker. 

The townspeople talked about how Stonebraker was considered the best basketball player in the United States. He led Wingate to their first two state titles and was a 3-time All-American at Wabash College in nearby Crawfordsville. The 6'3'' star once scored 80 points in a single game.  Those at the cafe also told us that most opponents would pick him up at half-court because he was known to make any shot, anywhere on the floor.

Homer Stonebraker, team captain, is seated in the middle

Stonebraker and the Wingate community were lucky to have had basketball. Since Wingate High School only had twelve boys in the entire school, they almost did not have enough players to field a team.  In addition, Wingate did not have a gym, so they had to travel to nearby schools or play outdoors in order to practice.  As a result, all games were played on the road from 1907 until 1925, which led to their infamous name, "Gymless Wonders". We were then told that the gym was only a block away, west on High Street, and that it was built in 1917 as a livery stable. 



Old Wingate Gym in recent years 

According to the article, The Cradle of Basketball, written by Jason Crowe in the 1995 issue of Indiana Basketball History Magazine, in 1925 the city purchased the livery stable and with some renovations, Wingate had its first and only gymnasium. The school rented the gym from the town for $3 for each practice and $6 for each game. Stoves heated the gym. Wingate played their home games in the barn, turned gym, until 1954 when Wingate closed its doors and consolidated with New Richmond to form Coal Creek Central High School. 

When we pulled up to the historic barn, we were disappointed that the barn doors were closed. We walked around its perimeter and admired how well the barn had held up throughout the years. Time had been kind to it. You could drive by this piece of history and you would never know that basketball was once played behind the large white door. Inside, the dimensions of the court were only 60 x 28 feet and the roof peaked 20 feet in the center.  The barn once displayed  "Wingate Gymnasium" on its exterior front, but it has been painted over in recent years.

A new Wingate sign proclaiming State Champs

On our way out of town, we stopped to read the sign that welcomes travelers and proudly promotes "Wingate: State Basketball Champs 1913 & 1914".  At the bottom in smaller letters, the sign also proclaims "National Champs 1920 & 3 Hall of Fame Members and 2 Football Hall of Famers."  It was the final proclamation that caught my attention, because the townspeople never mentioned it. It reads "First Electric Scoreboard in the Nation made by 2 local men. Mechanical Part by Lee Haxton. Electrical Part by Roy MeHarry." 

This hidden gem caught my attention because who would expect this type of invention and contribution to come from a town with less than 300 residents. I would soon learn that in 1934, Radio repairman, Lee Haxton, was assisted by Roy MeHarry, to build the first electric basketball scoreboard in the country, which was used in Wingate Gym. Haxton focused on the mechanical parts and MeHarry arranged the electrical circuits. 

MeHarry with the country's first electric basketball scoreboard

Haxton would pass away in 1938, but MeHarry would live to see a movie about a small Indiana town basketball team winning the one-class state championship.  Not only did he see the movie, Hoosiers, he was also in the movie.  A portion of the movie was filmed in New Richmond, just a few miles northeast of Wingate. New Richmond became the fictional town, Hickory.  MeHarry also traveled to Knightstown to play the role of the scorekeeper for the Hickory home games.  You can also see him behind Myra Fleener (actress Barbara Hershey) in the church scene where the town meets to dismiss coach Norman Dale. MeHarry passed away in 2000.
 

MeHarry operating the scoreboard in the movie Hoosiers

MeHarry (behind Hershey) casting a vote during the town gathering

If you're wondering what happened to the nation's first electrical basketball scoreboard once used in the Wingate Gym, travel to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in New Castle, Ind.  You'll see the scoreboard hanging on the wall.  It looks as it did when operated in Wingate's gym.  As for the old Wingate gym, it is also a timeless piece of history as well.  The gym will remain a symbol of the early basketball years for generations to come.



Wingate's scoreboard at the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame

After leaving Wingate, I couldn't help but think how lucky we were to stop into the cafe to get a brief history lesson, but more importantly, I felt very pleased that members of the Wingate community kept record of their team's heritage and helped illustrate the basketball history that commenced in this region. Time changes things, but one thing that will not change is Wingate's place in Indiana basketball history. Those who appreciate local history, like our family, could not have walked into a better place.

From the Bottom of Iowa, to the Top of the Sport

Countless Iowans remember 1993 as the “Year of the Great Flood”.  A summer when many families, farmers, and businesses lost things dear to them that may not be replaceable.  But others across the Hawkeye state remember it as the year in which one of their greatest traditions came to an end… girls six-on-six basketball. 


Iowa Public Television documentary looked back at girls' 6-on-6 basketball

The basis of the game was the same as regular basketball but with a few exceptions, including teams having 6 players on each side (3 forwards and 3 guards), unlimited dribbling was not allowed, and both forwards and guards handled the ball.  Forwards must stay in their teams' frontcourt and guards must stay in their team's backcourt. Only forwards were allowed to shoot the ball.

Many tri-state basketball fans probably aren’t aware that Iowa was one of the last states to have this format.  Most states removed the game when the Office of Civil Rights started the process of banning the sport in 1958. The last of the schools to phase out this game was Texas in 1978, Iowa in 1993, and Oklahoma in 1995. Six-on-six ended in both Iowa and Oklahoma as a result of Title IX lawsuits filed on behalf of high school players who felt they would have unequal opportunity for scholarships compared to girls from schools that already played five-on-five.


With the loss of the sport, also came the end to one of the nation’s most decorated girls’ six-on-six teams, the Bullettes of Mediapolis High School (Mediapolis, Iowa).  Located 25 miles east of Mount Pleasant in southeast Iowa, the Mediapolis’ program was built by arguably one of the most successful coaches to come out of the tri-state area.

Montrose, Iowa High School Class of 1951

Vernon E. "Bud" McLearn, born in 1933 in Montrose, Iowa, a handful of miles north of Keokuk, graduated from Montrose High School in 1951. According to McLearn's profile on Wikipedia, he began coaching in 1957 at Oakville High School (Oakville, Iowa) and after two seasons became the head coach for the Bullettes of Mediapolis High School during the 1959-1960 season. In 28 seasons he had a career coaching record of 706 wins and 80 loses (an 89.8 winning percentage). During his 26 year tenure at Mediapolis the girls team went 333-8 (97.6 winning percentage) on their home court. This run included consecutive home winning streaks of 97, 84, and 66 games. McLearn's teams qualified for the Iowa state tournament 21 years out of the 28 (including a stretch of 12-straight appearances), with two state championships in 1967 and 1973. He retired in 1987 with the fourth best record in Iowa state basketball history. 

Coach "Bud" McLearn

McLearn was inducted into the Iowa Girls Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1988 and into the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2000. The high school gymnasium at Mediapolis was named McLearn Court in his honor in 2001.  After winning so many battles on the hardwood, Coach McLearn lost his battle with cancer in 1999. He was laid to rest at the Montrose Cemetery, a block away from his childhood home.

Although the final buzzer has sounded for Iowa girls six-on-six basketball, the memories of one of the state’s beloved sports still remain strong today. Over the past decade, books have been written about the game, television specials have aired, and a musical has even been produced.  Women aged 50 and older can also participate in the Granny Basketball League, which formed in Iowa in 2005. The women play by the 1920s rules and wear 1920s-style uniforms. And for the man who led the Mediapolis girl's program to greatness, his accomplishments and guidance will never be forgotten as well.  Peer up towards the wall when walking through the entryway to McLearn Court, and you will see a picture of him prominently displayed.  Then while walking out, ponder the fact that Coach McLearn and his Mediapolis teams walked out of the gym only 8 times, over 26 seasons, on the losing end. That's an amazing feat. Even though Coach McLearn grew up in Montrose, with only hundreds of residents, his contributions and influence on basketball reached millions across the state.   


Coach McLearn's photo hangs on the gym wall

In the summer of 1993, the region of southeastern Iowa, including the communities near Mediapolis, were impacted by the flood as the heavy rains came down and the waters breached the levees on the west banks of the Mississippi River. Over time, the water did recede, houses and business were rebuilt, and personal property was replaced.  But, with the phasing out of six-on-six basketball in Iowa that same year, and with the eventual passing of Coach McLearn a handful of years later, Mediapolis and its surrounding communities did lose a part of themselves, which was not replaceable.  Although gone, their place at the top of Iowa six-on-six basketball is a testament that basketball was more than a game to Coach McLearn and the Bullettes of Mediapolis. That will never be taken away from them.

   

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.