Hoosier Basketball History

We are proud to partner with the Capital Improvement Board of Marion County (CIB) to provide traveling basketball-centric exhibits at the lower level of the Pan Am Tower during the upcoming NBA All-Star weekend.

The exhibits will be located downtown just across the street from the south end of the Indiana Convention Center where NBA Crossover will take place. The 3,000-square-foot space at 201 S. Capitol Street will be known as The Index and will host the exhibits throughout the NBA All-Star 2024 weekend.

The Index will be open to the public 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily from Friday, February 16 through Sunday, February 18.  Entry will be free. Here’s what visitors can expect to see:

o   Going Pro: Basketball Origins in Indiana focuses on Indiana’s impact on the origins of professional basketball. See below for more information.

o   In connection with IHS’s Chuck Taylor All Star exhibit, Converse will showcase archival product that traces their deep historical legacy in basketball from the iconic Chuck Taylor All Star, named after the Indiana great, to the later Converse Weapon, which debuted at All-Star weekend in 1986. See below for more information on Chuck Taylor.

o   Video footage of Indiana-related basketball history over the decades, including excerpts from the documentary Attucks: The School That Opened A City.

“Going Pro: Basketball Origins in Indiana” is the latest exhibit to showcase Indiana’s game and its impact on professional sports.

Visitors will experience many of the stories of iconic games, teams and players through amazing photographs, one-of-a-kind artifacts and a digital media experience that will bring these stories to life like never before. Learn more.

Presented by Pacers Sports & Entertainment

Courtesy of Converse

There is one Hoosier who gave his life to basketball, whose name virtually everyone in the United States knows. But his fame extends far beyond the bounds of basketball. Few, however, know much about him. The man is Charles Hollis Taylor, better known as “Chuck” Taylor — the man behind the name on that famous shoe — the Converse All Star.
Learn more about our exhibit, “Chuck Taylor All Star,” open now.

Presented by Pacers Sports & Entertainment

Indianapolis Recorder Collection, Indiana Historical Society

Our digital collections has more than 500 images, articles and historical items about Indiana basketball. And it’s easy to access.

Simply visit our digital images here and search “basketball” or any of your favorite players or coaches. From Oscar Robertson to John Wooden to George McGinnis, chances are you’ll find some undiscovered nuggets.

From articles to an all-ages biography of an Indiana basketball legend, IHS can provide history and perspective on various aspects of Indiana’s game.

In the latest from IHS Press, Legacy and Legend examines the history of basketball in the Hoosier State from the beginning of high school contests in the 1900’s, to the golden age in the 1950’s and 1960’s, all the way to the end of the one-class system.

Traces of Indiana and Midwestern History

Traces of Indiana and Midwestern History is an award-winning popular history magazine for Indiana Historical Society members. Below are several basketball articles that are available in the IHS online archives.

“Everett Case Conquers Dixie: Hoosier Basketball in North Carolina,” by Jim Sumner, Fall 1993

“The Shot: Crispus Attucks Tigers vs. Anderson Indians,” by Randy Roberts (Oscar Robertson and Crispus Attucks basketball), Summer 1997

“Who Was Chuck Taylor?” by Abe Aamidor, Summer 2007

“The Sportswriter: Bob Collins of the Indianapolis Star,” by Zak Keefer (Collins had a close relationship with the Crispus Attucks team), Winter 2016

“An Indiana Temple: Butler University’s Hinkle Fieldhouse,” by Norman Jones, Spring 2016

“Everybody’s All-American: Bill Garrett,” by Rachel Graham Cody, Spring 2016

“A Perfect Match: Indiana and Basketball,” by J. Ronald Newlin, Fall 2016

“The Friends of Forkner and Fourteenth Streets: A Brooklyn Dodger and a Harlem Globetrotter,” by Norman Jones (friendship between Carl Erskine and “Jumping” Johnny Wilson), Fall 2017

“Gil Hodges: Basketball Was His First Love,” by Randy Mills, Spring 2020

Ray Crowe Interview with Tom Carnegie

Indianapolis Recorder Collection, Indiana Historical Society

Ray Crowe is a legendary coach who made history not only in Indiana, but in the United States. In this interview with Tom Carnegie (ca. 1965), hear how athletics played an important role in Crowe’s life as he went from coach to business leader to state legislator.

WRTV Collection, Indiana Historical Society.

Listen to Interview

Hinkle Fieldhouse Augmented Reality Mobile App

Indianapolis Recorder Collection, Indiana Historical Society

Hinkle Fieldhouse is an American landmark. It has hosted some of the country’s biggest games, and is arguably the most recognized gym in Indiana.

The Indiana Historical Society has an augmented reality mobile app, “Celebrate Indianapolis,” which includes a session with Tony Hinkle. GPS technology then leads users to sites relevant to the historical figures, where IHS Museum Theater actors digitally appear to bring them to life.

Simply download the mobile app through the App Store and Google Play, and head to Hinkle Fieldhouse to hear from Tony Hinkle.

Crispus Attucks Bicentennial Minute

Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis holds a special place in the history of Indiana basketball, as well as in U.S. history. In this Bicentennial Minute video, see how this school changed our state basketball tournament, and changed our country.

Explore Hinkle Fieldhouse, Crispus Attucks High School with Destination Indiana

Bass Photo Co Collection, Indiana Historical Society

Using innovative technology, Destination Indiana Journeys allow you to explore Indiana’s history and every corner of the state, including basketball. You decide where you want to travel and what you want to know more about. Here are a couple that we think you’ll like.

Hinkle Fieldhouse

Crispus Attucks High School