Larry Bird Tribute Issue - Nov. 8, 2013

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Friday, November 8, 2013 Volume 121 Issue 31 ____________________

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Bird is the word

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The statue that Bill built:

Artist Bill Wolfe discusses his memories of Larry Bird and the honor of sculpting Bird’s image

Funding the future:

Money raised for an scholarship in Larry Bird’s name will do everyone some good

Bird statue flies home to roost:

The larger than life replica of Larry Bird has officially made its debut on campus

As Indiana State University prepares to unveil its tribute to basketball great Larry Bird, the Indiana Statesman revisits some of the most thrilling moments of his college career.

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Letter from the Editor In April, after the story broke that a Larry Bird statue had been made, the Indiana Statesman staff knew a special issue would eventually follow. And after being selected for editor-in-chief that same month, I realized I’d be tasked with overseeing it.

Frankly, I felt indifferent about Bird’s impending visit. Having spent the first part my Editor-inchildhood near his Chief hometown of French Lick, and the latter near Terre Haute, I barely knew of him.

So, the anticipation of his visit mounted and I begin putting the issue together, still oblivious to what the big deal truly was.

That is, until I made a visit to Cunningham Memorial Library’s special collections and started combing through Statesman archives.

I believed the best way to commemorate Bird and capture his history with the university was by combing through his past. When I arrived, Special Collections had two books of newspaper from years 1976-1979 — the years Bird played for Indiana State — as well as clippings on microfilm. I figured I would find at least a handful of stories that best represented his college career.

Three hours of page flipping later, however, I was in over my head.

The late ‘70s was an exciting time at Indiana State. Musical acts such as Boston, Bob Seger and Styx were coming to the Hulman Center. Some of Indiana’s heaviest snowstorms on record were hitting campus. Racial and gender barriers were being broken. And, like today, the campus landscape was transitioning and growing to better meet student demands.

But nothing I read could hold a candle to the hysteria surrounding the men’s basketball team. Not only was Bird a rising talent, but he was backed by an entire team of skilled players. All of the stories I came across reported impressive points per game and assists averages along with wide final scores deficits —Indiana State won most of

Brianne Hofmann

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Above: Indiana State University students get caught up in the Larry Bird craze that swept campus in the late ‘70s (Photo courtesy of the ISU Yearbook archives). Below: President Daniel J. Bradley and First Lady Cheri Bradley pose in front of the Larry Bird replica displayed at an Indianapolis Pacers games last week (Photo courtesy of ISU Communications and Marketing).

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those games, by the way.

In fact, one of the few upsets the men’s team experienced came during an influenza outbreak on-campus. Bird, in addition to three other players, had come down with the debilitating virus.

Yet, Bird, unstoppable even against the flu, played anyway and scored the bulk of the team’s points. This was when I realized Bird was more than just a point-scoring machine; he was a young man willing to do whatever he physically could for the sport he loved.

There’s no doubt in those archives that Indiana State loved him right back. Separate from stories on Bird were articles reporting Hulman Center was packed—sometimes overcrowded — at the men’s games. Photos showed fans hunched shoulder-to-shoulder, arms in the air, beaming with pride over their team and speckled with confetti.

Through these stories, I began to understand why Indiana State has a soft spot for Bird. It had little to do with his success post-college basketball, although even then I think Indiana State had an idea of what he’d become. Bird was the heart of basketball and, for a short while, that heart was right here in Terre Haute.

A fan snaps a shot of the Larry Bird statue with her iPhone (Photo courtesy of ISU Communications and Marketing).

Second Christian Church For 117 years Second Christian Church has sat on the southeast corner of 4th Street and 8th Avenue. The cornerstone for the church was laid in November 1896, and the building was ready for services on the first Sunday in January 1897.

With the sale of the Memorial Parks, the building at 401 8th Ave will be demolished. However, the church will be relocating. Our temporary location is at United Campus Ministries 321 N 7th Street.

Sunday School meets at 9:30am and Worship is at 10:30am.

We believe that a church is not the building; but instead it is the people gathering together as one for the good of Christ. As we move onward, we take with us a friendly, caring and loving membership devoted to the service of this community through Jesus. Just as our founders in 1897, we are dedicated to the promotion of New Testament Christianity and the evangelization of souls to Christ according to the New Testament plan of salvation. We have a great heritage in the community and are looking forward to a great future in serving God. Visit our website at www.SecondChristian.org to listen to past audio recordings of Sermons, and join us Sunday mornings.

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Bird-watching is now in session for Sycamores

Austin Areco

ISU Communications and Marketing Staff A larger-than-life statue of Larry Bird has arrived on the Indiana State University campus in preparation for “Honoring a Legend” weekend.

More than 100 Indiana State students, faculty and staff got a sneak preview of the bronze sculpture at the Indiana Pacers’ Oct. 29 NBA home opener and their excitement has grown with the statue’s placement outside Hulman Center.

“The Pacers game was a lot of fun.

It was the first opportunity to get the see the statue, and also get to really see excitement that was around the statue,” said Tommy Lynch, a senior communication major from Bird’s hometown of French Lick. Lynch also serves as director of Sycamore Pride and Tradition for the Student Government Association. “A lot of people are really excited about this,” Student Government and The Forest, a Student Government-sponsored spirit group, are planning a variety of events leading up to a weekend scholarship dinner and Bird recognition program on Friday before the dedication of the statue on Saturday.

Those events include “Letters to Larry,” in which students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to write notes for Bird from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily in Hulman Memorial Student Union. The notes will be presented to Bird in conjunction with the weekend’s activities. Students will also be treated to a showing of the documentary “Magic and Bird: A Courtship of Rivals” at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Thursday in Pickerl Hall.

“Honoring a Legend” begins Friday with a scholarship dinner at Hulman Center that will honor Bird and help fund future athletes’ education through scholarships. A recognition program will follow at 8:30 p.m. Tickets to the program are available for $33 or $133, depending on location, at the Hulman Center ticket office, www.ticketmaster. com or by calling 1-800-745-3000.

The Bird statue will be dedicated on Saturday, prior to the Sycamores’ regular season opener game against Ball State.

Tickets for the game are also available at the Hulman Center ticket office and www.ticketmaster.com.

Student Government Association and The Forest has have spent weeks preparing for weeks for Bird’s arrival. Members of the Student Government Association have already started the “Letters to Larry” campaign for students to hand-write brief notes to Bird (photo Continued on PAGE 5 courtesy of ISU Communications and Marketing).

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“There is a lot you can learn from him, he did it the right way. He built this place and helped in every way and to where our facilities are now,” said senior basketball guard Jake Odum. “People don’t realize how much money gets put into each sport and it will be great honor for whoever accepts (the Larry Legend Scholarship) to try and live up to Larry Bird’s name.”

“To get to be a student when Indiana State has the opportunity to do this is really exciting,” Lynch said. “The high school in French Lick is on Larry Bird Ave. At least five days a week you mention Larry Bird because you have to drive on his road to get to school. Larry had a big influence on French Lick, even though he doesn’t live there anymore. He did a lot for the school and a lot for the town.

French Lick really supported him and really appreciated what he did.”

“There is a lot you can learn from him, he did it the right way. “ Jake Odum, senior basketball guard Bird set the standard “on how it needs to be around here and we have to live up to that,” Odum said.

“He is a legend in everyone’s eyes at this and the NBA level and it’s about time he got a statue outside the Hulman Center,” Odum said. “It is an honor to be able to play in the same arena and look up in the rafters and see Larry Bird’s number retired up there.”

The Forest purchased 350 “I’m a Bird watcher” T-shirts and will be passing them out to the first 350 students who come out to the game on Saturday.

“Just getting to be on campus when Indiana State does this honor for him and the statue for him, on a personal level, it is really exciting,” Lynch said.

Bird-Watching week has officially begun as the Forest salutes ‘ole number 33 with a whole week of events, leading up to the Scholarship dinner on Friday and the opening game against Rose-Hulman on Saturday (Photo courtesy of ISU Communications and Marketing).

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Statesman editorial

New basketball scholarship is a slam dunk Bird fever is in full swing. No, not some the way through your four, five or even resurgence of bird, swine or — and this six years here, we as students often are left is just a best guess of the next plague to with a debt pile big enough to rival the wipe out humanity — fish flu. Larry Bird Bush administration. is making his first-ever, official return to What the Legend scholarship offers the university that gave him his start. is a way out of that hole. Kids can come What’s really exciting about this is the to the university and do what they love fact that thanks to various donors, a series while not worrying about the looming of students ­—­started and lead by Indiana debt that keeps them in what feels like a State University alumnus, Brad Fenton, permanent chokehold. managed to pull together a substantial Still not convinced? Then look at it like scholarship for incoming students who this: the Larry Legend Scholarship award are recruited to play for the basketball is like a magnet for Indiana State. Acting team. akin to a lightning rod, the scholarship These days it really does seem like will bring in new blood to our basketball there’s a scholarship for literally almost team. We will get new players with real anyone — trust us, there’s a scholarship skill; players like Jake Odum, Dawon for left-handed people, tall people, people Cummings and Khristian Smith. Who who drink tea and now Duck Brand duct knows, we might even attract the next tape sponsors kids Larry Bird. who make clothing In the long run, accessories out of adding incentive to their tape and wear our basketball team is them to prom. a win-win situation.

And we’re not “Akin to a lightning rod, the Incoming students saying that’s a bad [Larry Legend] scholarship earn the scholarship thing. If someone award, get the money will bring in new blood wants to throw play for our team. to our basketball team ... and money at future Basketball begins to Who knows, we might even see a steady climb in students to get them to go to attract the next Larry Bird.” performance; we start college, we will hitting the Missouri be the last ones to Valley Conference stand in their way. championships and But what’s so cool earn some very about the Larry serious respect. For Legend Scholarship the university on the Award is that it specifically targets high whole, that means more publicity and school students who strive to perform in prospect. Nothing achieves more for a both academia and sports. business than good publicity.

We’ll bet that the previous line got at We would see a rise in popularity least a dozen eye rolls. “Sports already has with the school, leading to an increase so many scholarships, do they really need in student enrollment, possibly a rise in another one,” right? Wrong. The Larry staff and faculty and most importantly, Legend Scholarship program is a great a lot more donors. At the heart of each incentive to give local kids a shot. A lot and every situation, it will always come of high school students in surrounding back to the green stuff. It’s really no joke, small towns don’t get a chance for college money does make the world go ‘round. because of financial burdens.

So again, as we look at this possible Half of us who do make it here have to investment, there seems to be no way this At the 1977 season countdown to the finale for the Missouri Valley Conference, Bird led drop out because we run out of aid. And can go wrong. his team to trounce the Valparaiso knights and the sycamores went all the way to the even if you do succeed in making it all finales. The Larry Legend Scholarship could create more stars like Bird (Photo courtesy of Statesman Archives).

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A tribute to the Indiana State University career of Larry Bird

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Indiana State defeats Chicago State Cougars KEVIN JENISON

Statesman Archives – Nov. 30, 1976 The Indiana State University Sycamores opened their 1976-77 basketball season with a victory Saturday night at the Hulman Civic University Center, over the Chicago State University Cougars, 81-60.

The Sycamores, 1-0 on the season, will play St. Ambrose College at 7:30 p.m. tonight in the Center. Indiana State students can get into the game free with their valid ID. The first half started out to be a very close battle with four ties and four lead changes in the first six and a half minutes of play. The Cougars scored the first points of the game, but the Sycamores came right back with a slam dunk by Larry Bird to tie the game at two apiece.

Again the Cougars came down the floor and scored, but again the Sycamores returned with another two points from the Bird. The Cougars started to pull away from Indiana State, scoring six unanswered points. The Sycamores got back on the track with a reverse lay-in from Harry Morgan and scored four more points to bring the third tie of the game at ten all.

The Cougars went back on top with a driving lay-in by their center Jerome Holland and then the Sycamores came back with six more unanswered points to go into the lead by four. The Cougars hit on a five-foot jump shot from David Jackson to score within two points but that was the last time the Cougars were even close to the Sycamores.

With the Sycamores up by two, Indiana State mentor Bob King saw his offense score 12 unanswered points before Chicago State called a time out with 7:44 to go in the first half.

With State ahead of the Cougars by a dozen, the Cougars could only manage four more points to end the first half with 18, while the Sycamores picked up nine more points to end the half with 37. The score at halftime was Indiana State University 37 and Chicago State University 18.

With his first five starters playing solid offensive and good defense, Coach King came out for the second half to watch his team and the Cougars start the same way The Sycamores opened their 1976-77 basketball campaign with a victory over Chicago State Cougars 81-60 at the Hulman Civic University Center. The Sycamores won the game and DeCarsta Webster and Larry Bird dominated the statistics for the Sycamores. they had at the start of the first half.

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State played their second game at the Hulman Civic Center and took on St. Ambrose (Statesman file photo).

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Bird scored the first six points for Johnson hit five of 10 from the field the Sycamores, each of them however for 10 points and also had a steal; Brad being answered by Chicago State Miley hit three of seven for six points forward Mike Eversley. Brad Miley and added nine rebounds and six then scored four unanswered points assists; DeCarsta Webster, Danny King as the Sycamores increased their lead and Dan Rutledge each had four points; to 25 points before the Cougars gained Alan Watson had three and Carl Nicks two points and reduced the lead to 23 had one point. points.

For the Cougars, Jerome Holland led Bird then scored two more field goals with 17 points. and added a free throw to increase The Sycamores had a big advantage the Sycamore lead to 28 on the boards as points before the Cougars they grabbed 71 were able to score four rebounds — 30 unanswered points to offensive and trail by 24.

32 defensive — “With less than five Both teams traded four dead ball minutes to go in the points for a couple of rebounds; while minutes and then the game, Coach King started the Cougars Sycamore offense erupted pulled down 51 to substitute freely to again with the help of rebounds — 15 Bird, Morgan and Alan give the rest of his squad offensive and valuable playing time.” 22 Watson and moved defensive ahead of the Cougars by — six dead 30 points, which was the ball rebounds Sycamores’ largest lead in and eight team the game. rebounds.

With less than five The Sycamores minutes to go in the game, Coach King also shot well percentage-wise as they started to substitute freely to give the hit 43.9 percent from the field in the rest of his squad valuable playing time. first half and 36 percent in the second The Sycamores ended the game with a half for a 39.6 percent game average 21-point lead and their 81-60 victory. while the Cougars hit 33.3 percent in Bird led all the scores in the game the first half and 34.9 percent in the with 13 of 19 from the field and five second half for a game average of 34.2 of nine from the free throw line for percent.

31 points. He also had three steals, The Sycamores hit 50 percent of two blocked shots, 18 rebounds and their free throws in the second half for 10 assists. Harry Morgan was second a game average of 52.9 percent. The in State scoring with nine of 18 from Cougars missed all of their attempted the field for 18 points and added five free throws in the first half and hit 60 rebounds, one steal and one assist to percent in the second half to end the his statistics. game with a 48 percent average.

Also for the Sycamores, Howie

Sycamore Larry Bird goes to the basket for a slam dunk during the season opener game against the Chicago State University Cougars (Photo from Statesman Archive).

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Indiana State has two players on classic All-tourney KEVIN JENISON

Statesman Archives – Dec. 7, 1976 The Third Annual Indiana Hall of Fame Classic ended Saturday night with State winning the championship game by defeating a strong Denver University team 78-65 and placing two members of the squad on the All-tourney team.

The All-tourney team is voted on by the news media and they elected Larry Bird and Danny King from Indiana State, Buzzy O’Connel from Stetson University, Bob Heaton from Denver University and Earl Cureton from Robert Morris College to the team.

Bird also received the Most Valuable Player of the tournament award as he hit 22 of 39 field goals in two games and added 13 of 14 free throws for a total of 57 points and added 33 rebounds to his total. King hit 13 of 24 field goals and four of seven free throws in two games for a total of 30 points adding six rebounds to his total.

Heaton was the second highest scorers of the All-tourney five, hitting 12 of 21

field goals and 12 of 18 free throws for 37 points, adding seven rebounds to his two game totals. O’Connell tied with King for third highest scorer on the All-tourney five as each hit 12 of 20 field goals and six of six free throws for 30 points, adding five rebounds to their total to pace the Stetson University team. O’Connell was second in the nation last year in free throw percentage and is currently in a battle for first place this year.

The fifth member of the All-tourney five is Earl Cureton from Robert Morris College in Pittsburgh, Pa. Cureton was second to Bird in rebounding among the all-tourney five with 21 rebounds and added 12 of 29 field goals and on of five free throws for 25 points in two games.

Les Reynolds, board member of the Indiana Hall of Fame and a former player at Indiana State, presented the All-tourney awards.

Members of the Indiana Hall of Fame All-tourney squad, including Sycamore Larry Bird, receive their awards after the last game of the classic (Courtesy of Statesman archives).

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The making of a legend: Larry Bird and his team pose for their historic season

Larry Bird (standing fifth from the right) poses with teammates and Coach Bob King in November 1977. During the 1977-1978 season, Bird was chosen Missouri Valley Conference player of the year and adorned the covers of Sports Illustrated, Basketball Weekly and The Sporting News. He also appeared in Playboy as a pre-season All-American (Statesman file photo).

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Two birds and a king lead Indiana State JEFF LIAMETZ

Statesman Archives – Dec. 1, 1976 Lucky for head Sycamore basketball coach Bob King, not all birds flew south for the winter.

Two decided to stick around and play some basketball and that’s exactly what they’ve been doing.

The two birds are, of course, Larry Bird and DeCarsta “Byrd” Webster.

Larry Bird redshirted last season after transferring here from Indiana University.

He was with the Hoosiers for one week before deciding the campus was too big for a boy from French Lick. The 6-foot 9-inch, 210-pound sophomore averaged 30 points and 20 rebounds while at Springs Valley High School. Since joining the Sycamore cage schedule this season, Bird has quickly dominated the team’s statistics and has become the best player State has seen in a long time.

After four games played this season, Bird has hit 52 percent of his field goals for an average of 27.5 points a game. He has also set the pace in rebounding with a total of 67 and has twice reached the mark of 10 assists per game. Bird is a physical education major.

The other Tweetie Pie of the Sycamores is 6-foot 11-inch, 220-pound Byrd Webster.

Last season was Byrd’s first year at State after playing Junior College ball at Miami-Dade South Community College. He made his rookie season a big one, as the junior center finished sixth in the nation in rebounds, averaging 13.6 boards per game. Byrd is from Philadelphia, Pa. and added 77 blocked shots to his first-year stats.

So far this season, Byrd started out well with 16 rebounds in each of the first two ball games, but has had troubles in the classic.

Still, Byrd’s rebounding — teamed up with the other rebounding help the Sycamores will have — should give State a great advantage on the boards.

Webster is joined by Danny King who is the only starter from last season and the only starting senior on this year’s squad. King led the team in assists and had the best free throw percentage last season. He is an aggressive defensive guard at 6 feet and is built in a solid 170-pound frame. Not only does King play

excellent defense, but he has been consistent this season in his field goals from the top of the key area.

After four games, King has scored an average of 11 points a game and is second in assists with 16. Last season was King’s first year as a Sycamore, as before he attended Cumberland Junior College in Tennessee.

King is a prep teammate of Larry Bird and is majoring in geography.

Another player from last season who has earned himself a starting berth on this year’s team is Tom Crowder. Crowder is a 6-foot 5-inch, 200-pound junior majoring in physical education. His jumping ability was illustrated last year when a photographer took his picture as the Sycamore jumped up and touched the backboard with his feet.

As a guard, Crowder has pulled down 14 rebounds, and is averaging five points a game and is the most improved player over one year Coach King has seen in a while.

The fifth starter for the Fighting Sycamores is a junior college transfer and can also hit his feet on the backboard.

Harry Morgan played the last two seasons at Vincennes University, where he averaged 19.1 points a game and was in double figures in rebounding.

Morgan, who stands 6 foot 7 inches, 185 pounds, has had a few problems staying out of foul trouble, as he has already been removed from one game and has totaled 16 fouls in four games.

Despite having to see bench duties because of some of his fouls, Morgan has pulled 28 rebounds and is averaging 15.3 points a game.

Backing up the big men in the starting five is Brad Miley, a 6-foot 8-inch, 180-pound freshman. Miley has already seen extensive duties from the bench and has performed well. After four games, Miley has grabbed 23 rebounds and is averaging 5.3 points a game. Coach King feels that Miley may be the team’s best inside defensive player.

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Larry Bird and members of the Sycamore team collide with opponents during a basketball game. Coach Bob King along with Bird, and DeCarsta “Byrd” Webster led the Sycamores to many victories that season, and planned on making more triumphs in the season to come for the Indiana State Sycamores (Photo courtesy of Statesman Archives).

Jimmy Smith is the reserve who will give the starting guards a rest and may work himself into the starting lineup by the end of the season.

Smith saw substitution duties last season and thus far this year, Smith has played impressive ball with 14 assists to his credit off the bench.

He is a local product from Terre Haute South Vigo High School. Last season, Smith set a Hulman Center record in assists with 12 against Wabash. The 6-foot 2-inch, 175-pound junior is a criminology major.

If the Sycamores need points on the board, they can call on Howie

Johnson who redshirted last season after transferring from Illinois. While playing for the Illinois, Johnson hit 55 percent of his shots while scoring an average of 4.5 points a game off the bench. The 6-foot 2-inch, 165-pound junior from Marshall, Ill. lacks only size and strength, but his outside shooting could offset that problem.

Seeing a lot of playing time as freshmen are Alan Watson and Carl Nicks. Watson has been a sub for Coach King this year as a guard along with Nicks. Watson stands 6 foot 3-inch, 185 pounds and, according to his coach, could become an excellent basketball player.

Nicks is a quick, sharp-shooting lefthander and was the Sycamores’ top recruit last year. Nicks will add aggressiveness to the State backcourt and quickness to the overall team. The 6-foot 1-inch, 175-pound rookie is majoring in art.

Dan Rutledge is a very important player on this season’s team, as he will be used with Miley to sub for the tall starters.

Rutledge is 6 foot 8 inches, 195 pounds and came to State after playing Junior College ball at Yavapai Junior College in Arizona. Rutledge played his freshman year at State but went to Yavapai for some playing experience.

He has seen limited time this year but

when he has been on the court, he has aided in keeping the opponents’ big man out from under the boards.

Then, there’s John Nelson, the fans’ favorite. Though only 5-foot 7-inch and 145 pounds, Nelson’s appearance on the court stimulates the crowd each game he plays. He is the other senior, along with Danny King, on this year’s team.

Nelson is quick, happy and full of energy, and keeps the team’s spirits from dropping. The blue-eyed, blond-haired senior from Rockville also competes on the State golf team.

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Year of accomplishments made possible by Bird

JEFF LIAMETZ

Statesman Archive Story How did the Sycamores do in the Missouri Valley Conference and national statistics in basketball this season?

Excellent and that’s an unbiased response.

The Sycamores did not get to compete for the Valley’s post-season tournament, which was won by Southern Illinois.

Southern Illinois gained an automatic NCAA Tournament bid and so far, has advanced to the Midwest second round action where they’ll play Wake Forest

tomorrow night in Oklahoma City.

The Sycamores, who just entered the Missouri Valley Conference this season joining Creighton as the newest members of the nine-team conference, finished with the best overall record in the group.

Their 25-2 season mark gave them a .926 winning percentage compared to the next best teams, Southern Illinois and Creighton, who completed a .788 winning percentage. With their .926, Indiana State was tied in the nation with Nevada-Las Vegas for third best winning percentage.

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Larry Bird, an Indiana State alum, is pictured above on the cover of an Indiana State yearbook shooting his legendary fadeaway jumper (Statesman Archive Photo).

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Though the final individual and team stats won’t be out until later next week, the Sycamores should finish first in rebound margin and point margin. Indiana State has been leading the Valley in those two departments all season. The Sycamores defense should not be the second best in the conference.

Larry Bird most likely will finish first in scoring in the Valley and has already rapped up the third spot in NCAA division I statistics.

Bird will also probably hold the second slot in MVC rebounding and has ended up seventh in the nation’s rebounding.

DeCarsta Webster fell in the Valley rebounding stats during the late portion of the season and will most likely hold fourth place honors.

Nationally, the Sycamores’ team rebounding finished at second with a 10.2 difference while Notre Dame held the number one spot with a margin of 11.5. Indiana State’s team defense placed 29th among the nation’s top 30 defensive teams with a 68.1-point average for their opponents.

Other accomplishments which Indiana State’s 1976-77 basketball season takes

credit for has to do with the player who wore number 33 this season — Larry Bird.

Bird was named to UPI’s All-American third team. He was tenth in the voting for AP Collegiate Player of the Year and was an AP All-American honorable mention.

Bird also received special mentioned in The Sporting News, all-Midwest from Basketball Weekley and all NCAA district IV from the US Basketball Writers Association.

After only one year of action, Bird ranks 18th on the all-time Indiana State career scoring list. His 918 points this season is behind the leader of the list who has 2,147 points, but Bird still has two seasons yet to play. Bird averaged 24 shots per game and 13 field goals. He hit 40 or more points this season in seven games, 30 or more in 16 outings, and had led the team in scoring in 26 of their 28 games.

Six new records at Indiana State are now held by the French Lick Sophomore; most points in a season (874), most rebounds in a season (359), most field goals in a season (356), highest point average for a season per game (32.4), most points for a single game (47- twice), and most field goals in a single game (22).

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Hulman Center encourages students to pick up tickets

Kayla Shackleford

Special to the Statesman The tickets for the 8:30 p.m. “Honoring a Legend” evening program will be available at the Hulman Center ticket office, located at 200 N. Eighth Street, starting at 12 p.m.

This is the only event available to students that requires a ticket for entry.

Jennifer Cook, assistant director of Business and Marketing at Indiana State’s Hulman Center, emphasized the importance of bringing student identification upon pick up of the event ticket.

“Our ticket office will open promptly at noon for students to come and collect their ‘Honoring a Legend’ program. Please make sure and bring valid Indiana State University student identification upon your ticket pick up,” Cook said.

Saturday, Nov. 9, the new 15-foot bronze statue of Larry Bird will be dedicated at 11:30 a.m. The public event will be held at the Hulman Center Plaza. Logan Valentine, Indiana State University’s Student Government Association president, is a committed Larry Bird fan and said he will be honored to meet the man of the hour.

“Larry Bird represents the tough basketball and great shooting that Indiana is known for. His accomplishments mean so much to our school and state,” Valentine said. “The events this weekend are going to be monumental for everyone in attendance as we honor a true legend this weekend.”

After the statue is dedicated there will be a Men’s Sycamore Basketball game at the Hulman Center at 1:05 p.m. This game features a special halftime presentation with Larry Bird as the focus.

Tommy Lynch, a senior communication major and director of Sycamore Pride and Traditions, shined some light on how inspiring the game on Saturday vs. Ball State will be. He said he has been working hard to make sure the atmosphere and pride at the game is top notch.

“Something like this game is a once in a lifetime experience. To get to be a part of this is just mind-blowing,” Lynch said. “Everyone from alumni to current students should take full advantage of this beneficial opportunity to celebrate Larry Bird and his accomplishments and The “Honoring a Legend” Evening Program is the only event this weekend where Indiana dedication to our university.”

State students will need tickets to enter. Tickets are available at the Hulman Center Ticket Continued on PAGE 8 Office starting at noon today (Photo courtesy of ISU Communications and Marketing).

Page 8 • Friday, November 8, 2013

Continued from PAGE 7

Honoring a Legend Details and Information Schedule of Events Friday, Nov. 8, 2013 • 7 p.m. — Larry Bird Scholarship Dinner, Hulman Center (ticketed event) • 8:30 p.m. — Honoring a Legend Evening Program, Hulman Center (Indiana State students provided one free ticket* with a valid student identification card).

Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 • 11:30 a.m. — Larry Bird Statue Dedication, Hulman Center Plaza (Ceremony will be emceed by Bird’s former teammate Quinn Buckner. The event is free and open to the public).

• 1:05 p.m. — Indiana State vs. Ball State Men’s Basketball Game, Hulman Center (Special halftime presentation). * Tickets are available at the Hulman Center Ticket Office beginning Friday, Nov. 8 at 12 p.m.

Tickets will also be available to the general public for $33 each. All proceeds from ticket sales benefit the Larry Bird Scholarship Fund at Indiana State University.

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Friday, November 8, 2013 • Page 9

Sculptor sees his Larry Bird statue come to life

Bill Wolfe, creator of the Larry Bird statue, stands by his finished product, which was displayed for fans in Indianapolis (Photo courtesy of Indiana State Communications and Marketing).

Joseph Paul Features Editor Indiana State alum Bill Wolfe, the creator of the 15-foot bronze statue of Larry Bird that will be unveiled at 11:30 a.m. outside of Hulman Center, will attend the ceremony to show his support for the historic project on campus.

“It is truly an honor to be a part of this historic addition to Indiana State campus,” Wolfe said.

Bill Wolfe has been an artist his whole life, starting with his passion at age four.

Wolfe carried his talent through his high school and college careers, attending Indiana State from 1973 to 1977.

Wolfe studied art education and later landed a job at a local television show as an artist. He created the news graphics, set design and produced commercial for the show.

Wolfe then joined a company called Ideas and Corporate Advertising. After fulfilling his time as an advertising artist, he left in 2001 to become a professional sculptor and has been creating threedimensional art ever since.

Continued on PAGE 10

Page 10 • Friday, November 8, 2013

www.indianastatesman.com

Continued from page 9

“I am very self-taught when it comes a year and said he was very pleased with the to learning different methods of art. result.

Sculpting especially, I tend to teach “I wanted to do an action sculpture of myself the best technique,” Wolfe said.

Larry Bird. He is shooting a long range Wolfe proposed the idea of the Larry shot with movement and flow. He is posing Bird statue around eight years ago. as a Sycamore and is very sturdy. I am a The idea went quiet huge basketball fan and until two years ago Bird fan, so being “Larry Bird is a legacy Larry when the Larry Legend able to create something and I am proud to be a that I like was definitely Foundation and the Indiana State University an honor in itself,” Wolfe part of that tribute. I Foundation approached hope [Indiana State] will said.

Wolfe in order to rehopes to give be proud as well as the theWolfe open the statue ideas appropriate tribute people of Terre Haute. to Bird, who is a legacy and carry out the project in full effect. on campus. Starting this My goal is to create The next task was Wolfe said he hopes something that will live year, coming up with the the statue will become a on at ISU for a very long new legacy. funds necessary for the time.” statue. Indiana State “Larry Bird is a legacy donors contributed and I am proud to be a much of the needed of that tribute. I Bill Wolfe, sculptor of the part money while fundraisers hope ISU will be proud Larry Bird statue around Terre Haute as well as the people of made up the difference.

Terre Haute. My goal Once the fundraising was complete, is to create something that will live on at Wolfe began sculpting in his Terre Haute Indiana State for a very long time. That fact studio where he has worked for many years. that I was a part of creating that is truly The Larry Bird model came from different unbelievable. I am very thankful to have pictures Wolfe had collected over the years. been able to be the person who made this Bill Wolfe’s statue is placed in front of Hulman Center, becoming part of Indiana State University’s history (Photo courtesy of ISU Communications and Marketing).

He worked on sculpting the statue for about statue,” Wolfe said.

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Putting on the finishing touches

After Pacers fans in Indianapolis got a sneak peek of the 15-foot replica of Larry Bird last week, he was finally brought home to the Hulman Center. Workers needed cherry pickers to polish the top of the bronze sculpture. The statue will officially be dedicated at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, following Friday’s scholarship dinner (Photos by Bob Rhodes).