‘Bob Knight Way’? Indiana University could rename street after the basketball legend

Members of the IU community are rallying to rename the portion of 17th Street in front of Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall “Bob Knight Way,” in honor of the legendary Indiana University basketball coach.

A change.org petition started by former IU football coach and senior associate athletics director Harold Mauro says Knight, who died last November, “has left an indelible mark on the history of Indiana University and deserves to be recognized.”

IU and the city of Bloomington have some recent experience in changing street names; in 2021, IU and the city renamed Jordan Avenue to Eagleson Avenue, after the Eagleson family, a prominent Black family in Bloomington. The street was originally named after former Indiana University president David Starr Jordan, who was controversial for his role in the American eugenics movement.

Former IU coach Bob Knight was 899-374 in a 42-year coaching career.

Why name a street after Bob Knight?

Bob Knight was one of the most memorable coaches in both IU and college basketball history.

Coaching at IU for 29 seasons (from 1971 to 2000), Knight was legendary for his fiery personality and commitment to excellence that led the Hoosiers to win three NCAA National Championships, five Final Fours and 11 Big Ten championship titles.

Known for heralding in the “Knight Era” of IU basketball that put the program on the national map, Knight also had a career marred with controversy. Knight’s abrasive personality and relentless pursuit of excellence from his team led to frequent altercations, including his infamous 1985 chair throw during a Purdue game and a scandal involving choking a student in 2000 that ultimately led to his termination.

Nevertheless, time has turned Knight, who passed away last November, into an IU legend and one of the most memorable figures in college basketball history. Knight moved back to Bloomington in 2019, and returned to screaming fans, new and old, at Assembly Hall in early 2020.

IndyStar archives: Remembering the iconic…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/bob-knight-way-indiana-university-192142060.html

Author : Cincinnati.com | The Enquirer

Publish date : 2024-08-25 19:21:42

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