Indiana's Assembly Hall was the stage for a unique tribute to the late Bob Knight by current coach Mike Woodson during the recent rivalry game against No. 13 Purdue. Woodson brought his own red plastic chair, reminiscent of the one famously thrown by Knight in a fit of anger on February 23, 1985.
Woodson revealed that the chair he brought was the same one thrown by Knight all those years ago. He shared a story about how a former tennis coach, Scott Greer, had the foresight to retrieve the chair after the incident and had it signed by Knight and other notable figures. However, with the passing of key individuals involved, verifying the authenticity of the chair's history has become challenging.
The incident in question occurred during a game against Purdue when Knight received multiple technical fouls and proceeded to hurl the chair across the court, narrowly missing photographers seated on the baseline. The act led to Knight's ejection and sparked a chaotic response from fans, including the throwing of coins onto the court.
Despite the mystery surrounding the chair's whereabouts over the years, Woodson's gesture added a symbolic touch to the game. He chose to sit in the chair during the matchup, emphasizing its significance in Indiana basketball lore.
The incident remains a memorable part of basketball history, with replays still garnering significant attention online. While the fate of the original chair remains uncertain, its legacy lives on through stories and tributes like the one orchestrated by Woodson at Assembly Hall.
Woodson's decision to bring the chair full circle served as a poignant reminder of the enduring impact of Knight's legacy on Indiana basketball.
