It's official: Bob Knight will not attend the ceremony inducting him into the IU Athletics Hall of Fame.
The university confirmed Knight's planned absence in a press release today. IU Athletics Director Fred Glass said Knight chose not to attend because he didn't want to detract from other members of the 2009 induction class.
Here's the full press release:
CAPACITY CROWD EXPECTED FOR HALL OF FAME CEREMONY
October 29, 2009
Bloomington, Indiana-With nearly 600 confirmed guests, the IU Varsity Club announced today that a capacity crowd is expected for the 2009 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. The event will take place on the floor of Assembly Hall on Friday, November 6. Guests include former student-athletes, coaches, staff and others to celebrate seven IU greats to be formally inducted, including legendary IU coaches Bob Knight and Jerry Yeagley.
Coaches Knight and Yeagley are both the winningest NCAA coaches in their respective sports. Knight (men's basketball, 1972-2000), won three national championships, and Yeagley (men's soccer, 1973-2004), captured six NCAA titles. Knight and Yeagley join former Hoosier standouts Steve Downing (men's basketball, 1971-73), Katrin Koch (women's track and field, 1989-92), Joe Norman (football, 1975-78), the late Mike Rabold (football, 1956-58), and Alan Somers (swimming, 1961-63) as honorees. In addition to the Hall of Fame Ceremony, each inductee will be recognized at halftime of the football game against Wisconsin at Memorial Stadium on November 7.
Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Fred Glass confirmed that all living inductees, other than Coach Knight, will be attending the Hall of Fame activities. "Coach Knight contacted me directly yesterday to let me know that he would not be attending the Hall of Fame ceremonies, primarily because of his concern that the media interest in his attendance would take away from the other people being inducted," Glass said. "I absolutely respect his feelings on that and very much appreciate his response, which in no way suggested he opposed being inducted.
"Coach Knight expressed his tremendous appreciation for the support his teams were given by the IU student body and fans all over the state of Indiana and the contribution that support made to the success of his teams. Coach Knight also noted that there is no one he appreciates more than his players who he said were the most responsible for the success the program had during his tenure."
At the induction ceremony, the late Mike Rabold will be represented by his brother John and Coach Knight will be represented by legendary sports writer Bob Hammel, a 2008 Hall of Fame inductee.
The Hall of Fame was established in 1982 by the Indiana University Varsity Club National Board of Directors in cooperation with Indiana University, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, the I Association, and the Indiana University Alumni Association. Its purpose is to recognize and honor individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the achievements and prestige of Indiana University in the field of athletics and who have continued to demonstrate the values imparted by intercollegiate athletics. Each year, a subcommittee of the Indiana University Varsity Club National Board of Directors selects inductees for the Hall of Fame. This year's class brings the current roster of IU Hall of Fame inductees to 164.
For more information on the IU Athletics Hall of Fame, please contact the IU Varsity Club at (812) 855-0866. Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame
2009 Inductee Class
Steve Downing, Men's Basketball
Won three basketball letters from 1971-73. Named Indiana and Big Ten Most Valuable Player in 1973 after leading the Hoosiers to the Final Four of the NCAA championship. First team All-Big Ten in 1973 after averaging 20.1 points and 10.6 rebounds. Averaged 15.1 rebounds in 1972, second best mark in IU history for season; ranks fifth in career rebounds with 889. Played professional basketball for two years with the Boston Celtics. Served as IU Associate Athletic Director for 20 years.
Bob Knight, Men's Basketball
Indiana basketball coach from 1971-2000 with a career record of 661-240 at IU. Coached teams that won 11 Big Ten Championships, a Big Ten record, and NCAA championships in 1976, 1981, and 1987. Only coach in history to lead teams to NCAA (1976, 1981, and 1987), NIT (1979), Pan American (1979) and Olympic (1984) championships. Last coach to have perfect winning season (32-0 in 1976). Coached 16 All-Americans; had nine players win Big Ten MVP honors; and had 29 players who played in the NBA. Big Ten Coach-of-the-Year six times and National Coach-of-the-Year in 1975, 1976, 1987, and 1989. Inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991. He is the all-time winningest coach in college basketball history with a 902-371 record (70.8), which was compiled at Army, IU and Texas Tech. After playing at Orrville (Ohio) High School, he played at Ohio State under Hall of Fame Coach Fred Taylor and was a member of the Buckeyes 1960 national championship team.
Katrin Koch, Women's Track and Field
Won track letters in 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1992. Won Big Ten Medal in 1992; Big Ten indoor shot put title in 1992; Big Ten outdoor shot put titles in 1991 and 1992; and Big Ten discus titles in 1991 and 1992. NCAA champion in the shot put outdoors in 1992; three-time All-American indoors in the shot put; four-time All-American outdoors in the shot put and once in the discus. Still owns the IU discus record. Set Big Ten shot put records both indoors and outdoors and in the discus. Served as Indiana's Assistant Director of Strength and Training (1993-98) and Head Strength Coordinator (1998-04).
Joe Norman, Football
Won football letters in 1975-78 and was co-captain in both 1977 and 1978. Linebacker who was IU Most Valuable Player in 1977 and 1978. All-Big Ten in 1978. Second team All-American by NEA in 1978. Played in 1978 Hula Bowl and the 1978 Japan Bowl where he was named Defensive MVP. Later went on to play professionally with the Seattle Seahawks.
Mike Rabold, Football
Won football letters in 1956, 1957, and 1958 and was captain in 1958. Was IU's Most Valuable Player as a guard in '58, and the runner-up for the Chicago Tribune Big Ten Most Valuable Player award. Won IU's Balfour Award in 1958. Third team All-American by Central Press in '58. Played in 1958 Blue-Gray game, the Senior Bowl and the College All-Star game. Played in the NFL for 9 years and was a member of the 1963 Chicago Bears' championship team. Inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 1977, and was one of the founders of the Indiana Football High School All-Star game.
Alan Somers, Men's Swimming
Won swimming letters in 1961-1963 and was captain in 1963. Won five Big Ten championships in the 440-yard, 1500-meter, and 1650-yard freestyles. Competed in 1960 Olympics in the 400-meter freestyle (placing 5th) and 1500-meter freestyle (placing 7th). Won 4 AAU championships in freestyle events. Owned American record in 400-meter freestyle for three years.
Jerry Yeagley, Men's Soccer
Soccer coach from 1973-2004. Won 6 national championships and led teams to the College Cup 16 times, 12 times advancing to championship game. Won 10 regular season Big Ten championships and 10 Big Ten tournament championships. Had overall record of 544-101-45 to become all-time NCAA leader in victories. Big Ten Coach of the Year 8 times, NSCAA National Coach of the Year 6 times. 1989 Inductee into the United States Soccer Federation Hall of Fame. The playing surface at Armstrong Stadium was named for him in 2004. In 2008, voted the NCAA Division 1 Men's Soccer 50th Anniversary team coach.
