Indiana State Unveils Larry Bird Statue


by Bill DiFilippo / @bflip33 larry bird statue

The Legend finally has his statue.

A few weeks ago, we told you that Larry Bird would be getting a statue outside of Indiana State University’s Hulman Center. On Saturday, the 17-foot-tall statue was unveiled in a ceremony before the Sycamores’ season opener against Ball State.

Bird is unarguably the greatest player in Indiana State history. In his three years in Terre Haute, Bird averaged 30.3 points, 13.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. In 1978-79, Bird won the Wooden Award and led the Sycamores to a 30-1 record and a trip to the National Title game, where the team lost to Magic Johnson and the Michigan State Spartans.

From The Indiana Star:

Bird was genuinely humbled by the unveiling outside the Hulman Center, where he led the Sycamores for three memorable seasons (1976-79).

“I don’t really have a lot of words other than the b.s. I’m going to give you,” he said with a hearty laugh.

The unveiling completed a 24-hour salute to the university’s greatest ambassador. Through a Friday night dinner and program attended by more than 3,000 fans and Saturday’s statue unveiling, Bird’s legacy was celebrated.

As for the game, Indiana State defeated Ball State, 82-73. Sycamores guards Dawon Cummings and Jake Odum combined for 38 points and eight assists. Bird was in attendance for the game.