The acclaimed movie Hoosiers (1984) is based on the real-life miraculous underdog victory of Milan High School in the 1954 Indiana High School Basketball State Tournament. Presented is the program from that 1954 Indiana Championship Game, as well as The Indianapolis News Basketball Record Book (2), for both '54 and '55. The screenwriter for Hoosiers, Angelo Pizzo, felt he could not portray the head coach of the fictional Hickory High School (Milan), Marvin Wood, as he was in reality, because Wood was only 26 years old, and he was a soft-spoken, nice man. To add pizazz to the film, Pizzo made the head coach, Norman Dale (Wood) much older, so that he would feel that his time was running out. Pizzo used the volatile Bobby Knight as the model of a short-fused coach played to the hilt by actor Gene Hackman. The real-life Bobby Plump was the star shooter for Milan, played in the movie by Maris Vilainis, called Jimmy Chitwood in the picture. The film also had Dennis Hopper and Barbara Hershey in key roles. In both real-life and the movie, the Indiana State Championship game takes place at Butler University's Field House, now called Hinkle Field House.

The offered game program measures approx. 6x9", and it has 12 pages, including covers. The front cover reads, in part, "MARCH 20, 1954/43rd ANNUAL STATE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT/IHSAA/ BUTLER UNIVERSITY FIELD HOUSE/THE OFFICIAL PROGRAM/75 CENTS." The program has the rosters and sepia photographs of each of the state's final four teams. The centerfold includes the Indiana State Final Basketball Tournament bracket, and the quarter-by-quarter and final scores for each of the Final Four games has been written in blue ballpoint ink on the program bracket by an unknown hand. On the last inside page is the Milan Indians' team photo, a complete roster, and some additional facts about the school and team. Bobby Plump is listed as a guard, at 5'10" and 150 lbs. and he is in the team photo, third from the right in the top row. Coach Marvin Wood is in the photo on the far right in the top row. Also, included are two Indianapolis News Basketball Records Books, (for 1954 & 1955) each measuring 3x6", and having 132 pages, including covers. The books are marvelously detailed, with records of the Indiana State Tournament going back to 1911. Milan's Coach Marvin Wood is on the cover of the 1955 book. Such famous Indiana high school basketball stars like Johnny Wooden and Oscar Robertson are listed in the record books. Both the 1954 State Championship program and the two Indiana record books are in EXCELLENT condition.

Estimated domestic USA shipping cost only. Does not include handling or insurance: $31.04 Please feel free to contact us for a more accurate shipping cost.