Former Indiana University Basketball Coach Bob Knight speaks at a fundraiser for the Hilda Van Arsdale Library Fund on Oct. 18, 2012, in Greenwood.
Daily Journal Archive Photo
News from around Johnson County as reported on Oct. 19 in the pages of the Daily Journal and the Franklin Evening Star from the last 111 years.
On this day in 2012, the main story on the front page of the Daily Journal was about a visit by Former Indiana University Basketball Coach Bob Knight.
Knight had visited Greenwood to speak at a fundraiser for the Van Arsdale Library Fund, which supported the Greenwood Public Library. He offered a string of obscure stories and behind-the-scenes looks at some of the most memorable moments in Indiana basketball history.
“As Bob Knight tells the story, the play that won the 1987 National Championship was executed by Keith Smart,” the story began. Only it wasn’t the famous shot that Smart hit to seal the victory, but rather it was a heads-up foul that put the team in position to hit the game-winning 3-pointer.
“That was maybe the smartest play I’ve ever seen,” Knight said. “We wouldn’t have won a national championship without that foul.”
For the speaking event, Knight teamed up with two former IU players: Greenwood’s own Tom and Dick Van Arsdale. About 1,100 tickets had been sold for the event. Organizers estimated it would bring in more than $40,000.
His presentation mixed X’s and O’s, some teasing of former players and a little bit of cursing. The event drew big laughs and a standing ovation from the packed crowd wearing IU sweaters, jerseys and jackets.
“I’ve talked about some of the things that were more memorable to me in coaching. But one of the most memorable things to me is the fans we had down in Bloomington,” Knight said as he left. “You fans are what will be the greatest memories I have.”
—
Other memorable Johnson County stories from this day
1993
A new housing addition in White River Township was expected to bring nearly 200 new homes near Smith Valley Road and Berry Road.
1983
A White River Township man who admitted to killing his parents in 1980, but was judged insane at the time, was found to be entitled to receive more than $43,000 in inheritance and life insurance benefits.
1963
Two youths were charged with reckless driving after a Franklin police officer stopped an alleged high-speed race involving three sports cars on South Street.
