The General Finally Gets A Statue – Bobby Knight To Be Commemorated In Bloomington

Bobby Knight Is Getting A Statue

Love him or hate him, there's no denying what Bobby Knight did for Indiana University basketball. His 1987 undefeated team still holds the record for the last team to go undefeated and win the National Championship. His stern and disciplined way of coaching is looked down upon by some critics, but that doesn't change the mark he left on college basketball history. In his 29 years at Indiana University (1971-2000), Knight led the Hoosiers to three national titles (1976, 1981, and 1987), the aforementioned undefeated season, and went 662-239 overall in his time there.

Knight coached a total of 42 seasons in college basketball, the majority spent at IU, with other stints at Army and Texas Tech. His overall record of 902-371 (.709) makes him one of the winningest college basketball coaches of all time. In fact, his 902 wins make him the sixth-winningest coach in college basketball history. In my opinion, his statue is long overdue.

Where The Bob Knight Statue Will Be Located

Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall opened in 1971, Knight's first year with the program. The 1976 National Championship team is already commemorated in the south lobby of Assembly Hall. The bronze statue of The General will be installed in this general area upon completion, alongside what may have been his greatest accomplishment. Knight was revered for his innovative play and a style of coaching that led to membership in elite clubs such as the Naismith Hall of Fame, the National College Basketball Hall of Fame, and the IU Athletics Hall of Fame. IU Athletics had this to say regarding Bobby Knight and his new statue:

"Coach Knight's influence on the game of basketball is immeasurable, but his impact on this university and Hoosier basketball fans is even deeper," said IU Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Scott Dolson." On a personal level, having started my career here as a student manager under Coach Knight, I saw firsthand the unparalleled standard of excellence he demanded. He taught me, and countless others, that success is the result of meticulous preparation and unwavering discipline. This statue will be a well-deserved tribute to a man who didn't just win games; he changed how the sport is played."

Here are some of Bobby Knight's best sound bites (profanity will be used) and the infamous chair-throwing incident against Purdue:

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