RIP Bobby Knight
To the general, the legend, the goat.
Rest easy coach. This is to a life well lived and a job well done. Thanks for everything you’ve done for Hoosier Nation. There will never be another Bobby Knight.
I’m going to be honest. I’m a newer Hoosier fan and was rooting for another team for years. I never intended on being a Hoosier fan. I have a lot of family and friends on the Hoosier side and wanted to take my own path. But being with another fandom at the time, I’ve always acknowledged you were the GOAT of Indiana coaching, one of the greatest, if not the greatest to ever do it.
I visited Brown County and Hoosier Nation for years. I attended IU camps. I visited Indiana University a lot. I checked out all the Bobby Knight memorabilia, the restaurants, you name it.
And while I’m not going to put all my pictures under the sun on here, this is when I was on the other side, the other place in question was not nice to me (this ain’t about me right now), but IU country always was welcoming. But Bobby the more I visited, and the more I learned about you, Hoosier Nation and the Hoosier tradition? The more I was like hmmm. I could see myself switching one day. This fandom seems like the shit. And since I’m being treated like shit at the other place, why not? As they always say, you go where the love is. IU was a place where I felt safer than I was feeling at the time. And strangely enough, gave me a sense of belonging and peace that I could quite never find at the other place.
I do not care about attention or credit. But Bobby and IU thanks for cultivating an environment where I can embrace the Hoosier spirit. (Sometimes I feel like I’m in a parallel universe, because I never had the intention of becoming a full blown Hoosier, but since I’m here let’s goooooo.)
You were controversial, but a dominating presence during your coaching career, after and even now. Legends truly never die, you will live on. Hoosier nation will carry your spirit with every fabric of our being. You was and still is, and always will be the soul of Hoosier Nation. I will honor your legacy by speaking out like you did. I’m the person that tells my friends what they don’t want to hear, even if they don’t like it. It may get me in some conflict, but I know Bobby wouldn’t back down, so I won’t either. I know you’ve always spoke your mind without hesitation. You’ve molded, mentored and shaped so many careers for people as a coach and friend the list is miles long.
Secondly, I personally want to throw a chair across the court. Looks like a hella good time. HAHA.
Thirdly, Personally, I really want them to put a statue of you in front of Assembly Hall. It’s way over due.
I became a fan wayyyyyy after your coaching days. (During the Woodson era, by the way another living IU legend). And been visiting Hoosier Nation as a friend/non fan since 2009. Even with all those years in? It’s gonna be a long time before I’m a diehard. I’m guarded af. On that same note, I will attend as many IU games as I can with family and friends. And sometimes by myself. (Trust me when I say that peace, boundaries, mental health is more important to me than being seen, fitting in and being liked. I’m just in a different mode nowadays. I’m literally done messing with most folks nowadays. With the coverage of you all over the news lately, I seriously get when they say “out of respect for the family wishes & privacy, IU is not going to do this or that in reference to Bobby Knight” and whatnot. You won’t hear me complaining or asking or dipping or tripping. I rather lay flowers in front of Assembly Hall without no one noticing and going on about my business.)
There’s only one Robert Montgomery Knight.
Here’s to learning about Hoosier Nation, you and the Hoosier way for years to come.
(And I had a uncle Robert, The name Robert is a special name to me!)
Rest in paradise Coach. I know you’re looking down on us. We love you.
P.S. My bad for any typos in this piece, Coach.
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