Gene Hackman's role in 'Hoosiers' led to an unforgettable, beloved film for fans far beyond Indiana

Bobby Plump -– the real-life Jimmy Chitwood –- said Gene Hackman deserves as much credit as anyone for taking his small-town Hoosier state basketball story beyond Indiana to the rest the world.

Hackman’s dazzling acting career stands out for sports fans for a single reason: His unforgettable role as Hickory Huskers coach Norman Dale in “Hoosiers,” the 1986 movie loosely based on tiny Milan’s run to the 1954 Indiana state title.

Plump was the star of that Milan team. He said Hackman and the late Dennis Hopper, who played the role of Wilbur “Shooter” Flatch, are two of the main reasons people still want to talk to him when they visit Plump’s Last Shot, his Indianapolis sports bar. A day after Hackman was found dead at the age of 95 in his New Mexico home, Plump reflected on the late star and the “Hoosiers” phenomenon.

“How important was his role? I think it was the key to the whole thing — he and Dennis,” said Plump, now 88. “It came out so well, basically because those two were just excellent.”

Read more at: https://apnews.com/article/gene-hackman-sports-hoosiers-7bcee7d0694f1daee94057ac7ec33430