“Hoosiers” Free Showing
The Banks
Wednesday, March 20, 6 p.m.
Shown on the video board at the Reds Hall of Fame.
Learn more about the historic Hoosier Gym at www.thehoosiergym.com.
Before March Madness officially begins, get ready with one of the all-time great Cinderella stories.
The Banks marks the 70th anniversary of the Milan Indians’ improbable Indiana High School state basketball championship with a day-long celebration of the movie, “Hoosiers.”
The fun tips off at noon, when the team bus and Chevy driven by Coach Norman Dale (Gene Hackman) will be on display for photo ops.
Joining the 1951 Chevrolet coupe and team bus will be representatives from the historic Hoosier Gym in Knightstown, Indiana, the home court of the Hickory Huskers made famous in the movie. They will have with information on the gym and commemorative merchandise.
Built in 1921 and saved from destruction due in part to the movie's success, the gym is visited by thousands from across the U.S. and around the world every year. Visitors can come and relive scenes from the film and take a shot or two, visit the locker room, rent the gym, or watch a game.
On March 20, 1954, Milan High School with an enrollment of 161 defeated Indiana basketball powerhouse Muncie Central, 32-30 on a Bobby Plump jumper with three seconds left. No school that small had ever won the state title in the pre-class era of Indiana high school basketball. The movie “Hoosiers” is based on Milan’s story, with the small-town Hickory Huskers making it all the way to the Indiana High School basketball state championship to face big-city South Bend Central.
Bars and restaurants at The Banks will be open throughout the day on March 20 for fans to spend the day and view the vehicles before the 6 p.m. showing of “Hoosiers.”