Knight Won't Show at Indiana Hall of Fame Induction

He's easily one of the most famous—and controversial—coaches in college sports history. And he's a legend in the state of Indiana. Former Indiana University basketball coach Bob Knight recognizes how much hoopla would surround any appearance he makes at his former stomping grounds in Bloomington, which is exactly why he won't be coming to his 2009 Indiana Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony, the Indiana Daily Student reports.

Knight says he doesn't want to take anything away from the other inductees, whose inductions would be overshadowed by anything that included the legendary coach, who led Indiana to three national championships during his time at IU.

"Coach Knight expressed his tremendous appreciation for the support his teams were given by the IU student body and fans all over the state of Indiana and the contribution that support made to the success of his teams," Indiana Athletics Director Fred Glass said in a statement. "Coach Knight also noted that there is no one he appreciates more than his players, who he said were the most responsible for the success the program had during his tenure."

Knight was fired by then Indiana University President Myles Brand in 2000 because of run-ins with players and students. The school and Knight have been on rocky terms since then, and the Daily Student reports that Knight's Hall of Fame induction is the "first move to bring the two sides together." Knight will be represented at the ceremony by his friend and 2008 IU Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Bob Hammel, the report says.

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