A Farewell to "The General"

It was October 1987. Bob Knight brought his Indiana Hoosiers to my high school gymnasium for an exhibition. It was the biggest thing to ever hit New Castle, Indiana. It was the national championship team of Steve Alford, Keith Smart and Dean Garrett.

About midway through the game Knight grabbed the microphone and proceeded to litter the arena with profanity that peeled the paint. I became intrigued with the man they call "The General" that day.

I certainly don't condone his behavior, but I'll miss having him around. I have never been in the same room with a more intimidating man than Knight. He is college basketball's biggest star and has been for 20 years. He is undoubtedly a great coach, but will perhaps be more remembered as a great entertainer.

When Knight was in town it was hard to concentrate on the game because you found yourself glued to his every move on the bench. If he threw a chair you didn't want to miss it.

A role model for proper etiquette he was not. But in the category of fascinating...he had no peer.