MILAN, Ind. — Bobby Plump paused for a second and seemed towards the other finish of the Milan Excessive Faculty gymnasium late Saturday morning. He wished to elucidate his grateful coronary heart for a 70-year state championship celebration.
“There have been so many occasions within the final month that after 70 years for folks to recollect,” Plump stated.
His voice trailed off with emotion.
“It is simply form of superb,” he stated. “Sort of brings tears to your eyes.”
Plump, who made the game-winning leap shot in Indiana’s 1954 basketball state last, was among the many 5 Milan gamers in attendance for the particular ceremony inside Marvin Wooden Gymnasium.
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Plump together with Gene White, Roger Schroder, Ray Craft and Rollin Cutter have been launched to applause to an estimated 1,200 folks, together with Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb.
“Hoosiers” screenwriter and producer Angelo Pizzo and actors Brad Lengthy (“Buddy”) and Steve Hollar (“Rade”) represented the 1986 movie, which was impressed by the 1954 Milan workforce.
“That is the most important occasion since 1954 when 30- or 40,000 folks confirmed up right here after the match once we got here again,” Plump stated.
Followers arrived from as far-off as North Dakota on Saturday to get a glimpse of the Milan workforce that has been known as the best sports activities story in Indiana historical past.
“That is one thing that none of us anticipated,” Plump stated. “It is such an honor that folks would come from a distance. There are folks I simply met from Minnesota that drove in. That is superb. They usually appear so pleased to be right here. I imply that is a protracted journey.”
There have been additionally video tributes from award-winning sportscasters Jim Nantz and Bob Costas in the course of the ceremony.
“To me the story of what occurred in Milan moons in the past — 70 years in the past — is the best story ever informed,” Nantz stated.
Plump, 87, reconnected with pals and met new acquaintances. He posed for photographs and shared laughs and smiles with guests earlier than the ceremony.
“Usually they wish to know what I used to be considering after I was standing there earlier than I took the shot,” Plump stated with a smile. “I do not know. I most likely wasn’t considering of something.”
The Milan scoreboard confirmed 19:54 on the clock with the rating 32-30 in reference to Milan’s last rating in opposition to Muncie Central within the 1954 state last. The importance of the numbers did not must be defined. Milan’s 1954 workforce has a legacy that may stay ceaselessly.
“What an occasion,” Plump stated. “Have a look at all of the folks that got here again. It is simply superb to me that that many individuals would present up. It is simply a good time.”
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