‘Bob Knight Way’? Indiana University could rename street after the basketball legend

Members of the IU community are rallying to rename the portion of 17th Street in front of Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall “Bob Knight Way,” in honor of the legendary Indiana University basketball coach.

A change.org petition started by former IU football coach and senior associate athletics director Harold Mauro says Knight, who died last November, “has left an indelible mark on the history of Indiana University and deserves to be recognized.”

IU and the city of Bloomington have some recent experience in changing street names; in 2021, IU and the city renamed Jordan Avenue to Eagleson Avenue, after the Eagleson family, a prominent Black family in Bloomington. The street was originally named after former Indiana University president David Starr Jordan, who was controversial for his role in the American eugenics movement.

Why name a street after Bob Knight?

Bob Knight was one of the most memorable coaches in both IU and college basketball history.

Coaching at IU for 29 seasons (from 1971 to 2000), Knight was legendary for his fiery personality and commitment to excellence that led the Hoosiers to win three NCAA National Championships, five Final Fours and 11 Big Ten championship titles.

Known for heralding in the “Knight Era” of IU basketball that put the program on the national map, Knight also had a career marred with controversy. Knight’s abrasive personality and relentless pursuit of excellence from his team led to frequent altercations, including his infamous 1985 chair throw during a Purdue game and a scandal involving choking a student in 2000 that ultimately led to his termination.

Nevertheless, time has turned Knight, who passed away last November, into an IU legend and one of the most memorable figures in college basketball history. Knight moved back to Bloomington in 2019, and returned to screaming fans, new and old, at Assembly Hall in early 2020.

IndyStar archives: Remembering the iconic Indiana basketball coach Bob Knight

The change.org petition notes Knight’s philanthropic contributions to IU, including to the IU Libraries.

“He donated millions to libraries in Indiana University and Texas Tech and endowed two faculty chairs at Indiana. In 2007, the Texas Tech library honored him with an exhibit titled “A Legacy of Giving: The Bob Knight Exhibit,” the petition says.

What is the Bob Knight Way proposal?

The change.org proposal recommends renaming a portion of 17th Street between Dunn Street and Fee Lane (approximately the portion of the street next to Assembly Hall and its parking lot) “Bob Knight Way.”

If executed, Bob Knight Way would be the first property on IU’s campus to be dedicated to honoring the basketball coach.

What would be the process for changing 17th Street to Bob Knight Way?

Since the portion of 17th Street in front of Assembly Hall is IU-owned property, the proposal would likely begin with a vote to rename from the IU board of trustees and would then go through the IU Naming Committee and upper administration before being presented back to the trustees for a vote.

The current chair of the board of trustees, Quinn Buckner, played for the Hoosiers under Knight from 1972 to 1976, helping the team win a NCAA National Championship in 1976.

Reach Brian Rosenzweig at brian@heraldt.com. Follow him on Twitter/X at @brianwritesnews.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bob Knight Way petition proposes renaming street for basketball coach