Basketball’s inventor Dr. James Naismith referred to Indiana as the “cradle” of basketball. The sport was invented in 1891, and the roots of “Hoosier hysteria” surrounding Indiana high school basketball state tournaments began in 1911.
“Basketball was born in Massachusetts, but it grew up and flourished in Indiana,” says Matt Martin, executive director of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.
The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, located in New Castle, is a 30-minute drive from the Muncie Central Fieldhouse, where 14 Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame inductees took their first shots at greatness.
The Muncie Central Bearcats have clinched eight Indiana high school boys basketball tournament victories, produced four Mr. Basketballs, as well as multiple NBA players including Bonzi Wells, Jim Davis, Bill Dinwiddie and Ron Bonham. Bonham, nicknamed the Muncie Mortar, was Mr. Basketball in 1960, played on the original Indiana Pacers team in the 1967-1968 season, and won two NBA championship titles with the Boston Celtics. Bonham is the Bearcats’ all-time leading scorer with 2,028 points.
“Hoosier hysteria is a mode of thinking that is unique to Indiana, as the name implies,” says Martin.“[Hoosier Hysteria] is loving packed gyms on a Friday or Saturday night, smelling the popcorn in the gym, hearing the balls bouncing during warm-ups, the fans cheering for both sides, and the overall uniqueness and passion for the sport, that sets Indiana different from every other state. It’s our gym sizes, bands playing and cheerleaders helping their team to victory. Everything about the high school game – regular-season contests, tournaments, the IHSAA state basketball tournament – makes Hoosier hysteria something that cannot be duplicated.”
Former Indiana University men’s basketball coach Bob Knight, former President Barack Obama, and former Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb are just a few of the visitors to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame museum.
Muncie Central Athletic Director Jeff Holloway is a 1994 Muncie Central graduate and played on the Bearcats alongside Bonzi Wells in the 1993-1994 season. Holloway coached basketball at Muncie Central from 2014 to 2017 and became the high school’s athletic director in 2021.
“We need the community to continue to invest in the sport at the youth, middle school and high school levels,” says Holloway. “I would love for the next generation of players to look to past athletes as role models, not only for their skills on the court, but for their dedication, teamwork and commitment to taking Muncie basketball to new levels.”
The Memorial House at Muncie Central Fieldhouse showcases the Bearcat’s historic and hysteria-provoking legacy, including Bonham’s class of 1960 letterman jacket, artifacts from the historic defeat of Muncie Central High School by Milan High School in 1954, which inspired the movie “Hoosiers”, and a piece of netting in a small glass bottle from the 1928 championship game between Muncie Central and Martinsville High School. According to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame website, Charles Secrist’s game-winning shot from behind the center line in the 1928 state title game is one of the most famous shots in state tourney history.
Current high school basketball players can get inspiration at the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame museum by learning about how past players handled defeat, clenched victories and advanced on the Hoosier hardwood.
“Much like any other means of learning or society, in order to know why you are here or what got you to this point, you have to learn from the past,” says Martin. “Learn from previous games, scenarios, situations or teams. How did players overcome obstacles that allow you to be in the situation you are in, and be able to play the game that is loved by so many? While it might just seem like a game, lessons are taught, history is broken, and today’s players would not be able to play this game without the sacrifice that came before them – the hardships that were endured by others.”
Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame exhibits include:
- 11K immersive experience depicting attendance at the IHSAA state finals
- Are You an Analyst?: Become a sports radio broadcaster
- Take Your Shot: Hoop shoot
- Slam Dunk: Photo opportunity
- Jump interactive: Measures jumping height
To nominate a player for the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, visit hoopshall.com/nominate.
More information is available at hoopshall.com, or by calling 765-529-1891.
Comments 1
There’s nothing quite like the Muncie Central Bearcats!