Hickory’s star player, Jimmy Chitwood, is loosely based on Plump, most notably in that Chitwood’s last-second shot in the championship game was taken from exactly the same spot in the same building as Plump’s in the 1954 state final.
Who was the real life Jimmy in Hoosiers?
Bobby Plump
In 1986, Hoosiers came out telling a story of Indiana high school basketball in the 1950s. It ends with a buzzer-beating shot by Hickory’s star player, Jimmy Chitwood.
How many points did Jimmy Chitwood?
But using the available archival film — the movie itself — I estimate Chitwood averaged 28.6 points per game. Here’s how I came to that figure: The final scores of seven games are shown (or easily determined), with the Huskers averaging 55.9 points. There are 42 made shots shown in which the shooter is identifiable.
Was Jimmy in Hoosiers a real basketball player?
Valainis’ character is based on Bobby Plump, who in 1954 made the championship-winning shot for Milan. But Valainis, though portraying the star player, was not the star of the movie, which featured Gene Hackman in the lead role, supported by Barbara Hershey and Dennis Hopper.
Is Hoosiers movie a true story?
Is Hoosiers based on a true story? The film is very loosely based on “The Milan Miracle,” the story of the 1954 Milan High School basketball team, which won the state championship on a last-second shot by Bobby Plump. Milan also made it to the state championship game in 1953.
Did Jimmy Chitwood go to college?
After high school, Milan star Bobby Plump (Jimmy Chitwood in the movie) played basketball for Butler University where he became a 4-year letter-winner, MVP his junior and senior years, and one of the NCAA’s best free throw shooters of all-time.
Who was Jimmy Chitwood in Hoosiers?
Maris Valainis
You might not know the name Maris Valainis anymore, but you know him from his sole major movie role — Jimmy Chitwood in “Hoosiers,” which will turn 35 years old later this year.
How many shots did Jimmy Chitwood miss in the movie Hoosiers?
three shots
Jimmy Chitwood misses only three shots in the movie: when Coach Dale first meets Jimmy in the gym, when Jimmy is outside shooting with Coach Dale talking to him, and once in the final game.
Did any actors in Hoosiers play basketball?
Brad Boyle and director David Anspaugh both played for the same high school basketball team in Decatur, Indiana.
How good was Bobby Plump?
Plump had quite the college career at Butler University. He was a four-year letter-winner and was the team’s MVP during his junior and senior seasons. He averaged 16.4 points over his four years at Butler, and is among the best free throw shooters in program history at . 831 percent.
What did Gene Hackman think of Hoosiers?
Hackman, I don’t think that’s very funny. My mother lost her legs in a combine accident. ‘ We did stuff like that all the time. I don’t think Gene thought it was very funny, but we got him pretty good on that.”
Who is Norman Dale based on?
In reel life: The assistant coach, “Shooter,” (played by Dennis Hopper in an Oscar-nomination performance), is the town drunk and the father of one of the players. In real life: There was no assistant coach. Gene Hackman’s “Norman Dale” was a fiery coach — much different from real-life coach Marvin Wood.
Did Bobby Plump play professional basketball?
After graduating from Butler University, he played three years for Phillips 66ers of the National Industrial Basketball League. Following his professional sports career with Phillips 66, he began a career in the life insurance and financial consulting industry.
Was Hoosiers filmed at Butler University?
Milan’s team served as the inspiration for the movie Hoosiers (1986), and the final scenes of the film’s championship game were filmed at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
Hinkle Fieldhouse.
| Owner | Butler University |
| Operator | Butler University |
| Capacity | 9,100 (2014–present) 10,000 (2009–2014) 11,043 (1989–2009) 15,000 (1928–1989) |
| Significant dates |
|---|
Who beat Milan in 1954?
Muncie Central
1954 IHSAA State Championship Milan vs Muncie Central
(3-26-18) – In 1954 tiny Milan pulled off one of the all-time great basketball feats winning the Indiana High School Boys Basketball Championship. The story of the ‘Milan Miracle’ and Bobby Plump’s game winning shot will long be remembered in the Hoosier state.
Is Hickory a real high school?
Some plot points are similar to Milan’s real story. Like the film’s fictional Hickory High School, Milan was a very small high school in a rural, southern Indiana town. Both schools had undersized teams. Both Hickory and Milan won the state finals by 2 points: Hickory won 42–40, and Milan won 32–30.
Is Hickory Indiana a real place?
You won’t find Hickory, Indiana on a map. The town is based off New Richmond, Indiana, a town of 333 in Montgomery County. The town has multiple signs paying homage to its fictional name, including, “Welcome to New Richmond, AKA ‘Hickory,’ movie Hoosiers filmed here 1985”.
Was Hoosiers filmed in Indiana?
It’s Iconic. When it comes to cementing Indiana’s basketball reputation, the state owes a debt to the 1986 movie Hoosiers. Inspired by the events leading to the 1954 state championship game between tiny Milan and powerhouse Muncie, the movie filmed on location in historic gyms, downtowns, and churches around Indiana.
Where is Maris valainis now?
Today, Valainis runs a consulting business for commercial construction and spends his days in Indiana and California.
What was shooters sons name in Hoosiers?
Everett
Hickory Huskers
| Character | Description |
|---|---|
| Everett | Shooter’s son |
| Merle | The beneficent player who encourages Ollie before his game-deciding free throws |
| Ollie | The short team manager who becomes a reluctant substitute player |
| Strap | The religious player who prays before every game—and sometimes during games |
Who did Hickory beat in Hoosiers?
1 sports movie of all time by the sports staff of The Associated Press. Instead of the Milan High Indians winning it all in 1954 against Muncie Central, it’s the fictional Hickory Huskers beating mighty South Bend Central in 1952. The hero of the last-moment shot is Jimmy Chitwood on film, Bobby Plump in real life.
