Player of the Game: Scott Martin.

———-

Final: Indiana 104, Kentucky 87
It’s all over but the cryin’. And I reckon there will be none of that because this is just the Indiana-Kentucky All-Star game.

Got a pick for MVP? It won’t be easy, that’s for sure. Gordon seems as likely as anyone to win it because he put up the points (19) and is in his home town. It would be a popular choice.

———–

4:15, second half: Indiana 96, Kentucky 73

Four minutes left in a meaningless game which his team already leads by 20 and Eric Gordon is running his defender all over the court. Kid just loves to play basketball.

Gordon took a feed off a set play and went baseline to draw a foul. He hit both free throws and now has what I believe to be a game high 17 points.

———-

5:50, second half: Indiana 89, Kencutky 69

Finally, a Gordon jam. He broke in from the right side of the basket and went up high for a reverse dunk, pleasing the crowd.

Read the rest of this post »

H-T reporter Steve Hinnefeld has been in Gary this afternoon covering the IU trustees meeting as they have discussed replacing Assembly Hall. Here is a quick report Steve has provided over the phone.

The trustees today endorsed the idea of replacing Assembly Hall, but provided no timeline for replacement, using the words “when it is appropriate.” The possibility of renovating Assembly Hall was taken off the table.

Architects gave the trustees an estimate of $130-160 million to replace Assembly Hall, including construction costs and all necessary equipment for the new arena. Construction alone would cost $96-$118 million, they estimated.

Steve will provide a complete report on today’s discussion in tomorrow’s newspaper and on HeraldTimesOnline.com. I think we will see in his report that the question of when Assembly Hall is replaced revolves largely on when funding can be identified and raised for this project given the other major facility improvements the athletic department already has underway.

OXFORD, Ohio – The Miami University Athletic Department, with the blessing of the Hoeppner family, has established the “Coach Hep Scholarship Fund” in memory of former head football coach Terry Hoeppner, who passed away Tuesday morning after battling brain cancer.

Hoeppner spent 19 years in Oxford, including 13 as an assistant coach, and was an integral part of the Miami Family for nearly two decades. Noted for his enthusiasm and ability to motivate, Hoeppner posted six straight winning seasons as a head coach in Oxford and led Miami to the 2003 MAC Championship. Though his Miami head coaching record of 48-25 speaks volumes about his coaching ability, the impact he had on Oxford, the Miami community and the Red and White’s student-athletes cannot be measured in numbers.

In remembrance of Hoeppner, the “Coach Hep Scholarship Fund” was established to assist an aspiring young football coach or a football student-athlete. Donations to the scholarship fund can be made through the Miami University Advancement website at www.forloveandhonor.org, or by contacting Sheryle Lancaster in Miami’s Advancement Services.

For donations made through the For Love and Honor website, please specify that your gift is intended for the “Coach Hep Scholarship Fund” (which is a box labeled “Specific Requests” and located at the bottom of step two on the For Love and Honor website).

Ways to Give
1. Via the world wide web: www.forloveandhonor.org
2. By email: contact Sheryle Lancaster at [email protected]
3. By phone: contact Sheryle Lancaster at 513-529-2944
4. By mail: Coach Hep Scholarship Fund
c/o Sheryle Lancaster
Advancement Services
926 Chestnut Lane
Miami University
Oxford, OH 45056

Memorials:  In lieu of flowers, Coach Hoeppner’s family requests that memorial contributions be made to the IU Varsity Club in support of the new North End Zone Facility at Memorial Stadium. Contributions (payable to IU Foundation)  may be sent to the Indiana University Varsity Club, 1001 East 17th Street, Bloomington, IN 47408.

Notes To The Family: Notes and well wishes may be sent to Indiana Football, Memorial Stadium, 1001 East 17th Street, Bloomington, IN 47408 or can be emailed to [email protected]

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -  At the request of the family of Indiana University football coach Terry Hoeppner, the public is invited to a “Celebration of Life” for Coach Hep at Noon,  Saturday, June 23 in Assembly Hall.

Doors will open at 11:30 a.m. and those attending should enter via the north or south entrance of the facility.

All other services will be private.

Everyone just stood to sing the IU fight song along with the jazz band. That marked the end of the ceremony.

The ceremony provided a nice opportunity for members of IU athletics to reflect on Hoeppner and what he brought to the program. The mood definitely had a somber feel throughout and most peoples’ thoughts seemed to be with Hoeppner and his family. On what is a sad day for the IU family, hopefully as Greenspan and Jane Hoeppner had discussed this can be a week of celebration

The band is back playing and I am off to see if I can get some refreshments.

—-
Josiah Sears just spoke. He gave a nice speech on Hoeppner and what he meant to the program. He also thanked Coach Hoeppner and his family for allowing IU to dream big. He said Hep’s ultimate goal was to reach the Rose Bowl and this facilites upgrade will help get IU closer to his dream.

The actual groundbreaking is underway now. The shovel has “broken the ground” and each present speaker or Board of Trustee is getting a chance to turn the dirt in three shifts.
—-
Sampson is speaking now. He said the rain this morning was appropriate for the mood following Hoeppner’s passing.

He also shared his memories of Hoeppner. He said remembers after the Wisconsin win, when all the students were storming the court, Hoeppner was the first to congratulate him with a big bear hug. He said he only had 3 minutes to speak about the facilities, but instead chose to focus his talk on Hoeppner.

—-
Greenspan said he talked with Jane Hoeppner about this week being a celebration. He said this will be “a hell of a celebration.” He also acknowledged Coach Lynch and his staff.

Greenspan is finished speaking and now a video on the new facilities is being shown, featuring Coach Sampson, Legette-Jack, and Lynch.
—-
New President Michael McRobbie just spoke. He basically echoed the sentiments of Herbert and said these plans will carry on the vision of Coach Hoeppner and will help attract better student athletes to IU.

AD Rick Greenspan is speaking now and is very emotional. Fighting back tears, Greenspan said these new facilities were Hoeppner’s dream.

After struggling through the beginning of the speech remembering Hoeppner, he moved on to the new facilities. He said these facilites represent change and will allow the development of students athletes academically and physically.

—
Adam Herbert got the ceremony going as the first speaker, by introducing the Board of Trustees.

His speech turned somber after the inroduction and moved quickly into the news of Coach Hoeppner’s passing. Just as his mood turned somber, so did the mood of the crowd.

He said the first reaction of many was to cancel the event, but Coach Hep’s family urged them to carry on with the ceremony. Herbert also shared the poem “Don’t Quit” with the crowd in honor of Hoeppner. He said the poem has summarized the proud history and success of the IU athletic program.

He said the plans for new facilities will help carry on the vision that Hoeppner had for IU athletics, especially the North Endzone facility, for which Hoeppner fought so hard.
—–
Hey everyone, it’s Brian now.

There is a really large crowd gathering now inside the tent. The seats are filling up and people are already standing along the outer edge of the tent.

Anyways, the jazz band has stopped playing for now and it looks like the ceremony might begin shortly. I’ll keep you posted.

—–
We’re here in the tent outside Memorial Stadium, where the ground breaking ceremony for Indiana’s new facilities will take place, as planned, despite the death this morning of football coach Terry Hoeppner.

Jane Hoeppner asked that it not be canceled.

Many fans and VIPs are gathered here, gallantly trying their best to provide the sort of atmosphere this event was supposed to have. Upbeat live jazz plays in the background and everyone here is chatting. The program should begin soon and will include comments from President Adam Herbert, soon-to-be president Michael McRobbie, Rick Greenspan, Kelvin Sampson and others.

Brian, our current intern, will be along in a little bit to provide updates.

Share your memories of Indiana football coach Terry Hoeppner with other Hoosiers.

How would Hep want to be remembered?