Bob Knight returns to Indiana’s campus for first time since firing in 2000

For the first time since his firing, former Indiana basketball coach Bob Knight returned to Bloomington and Indiana’s campus.

In what many Indiana basketball fans never thought would happen again, former Hoosiers basketball coach Bob Knight returned to campus for the first time since his firing in 2000.

Knight, 78, was in attendance for the Indiana baseball game this afternoon after spending time in Indianapolis for speaking engagements this past week.

Knight won three national championships with Indiana in 1976, 1981 and 1987, and reaching the final four in two other years as well (1973, 1982). His most memorable team in college basketball history was the 1976 national title team which remains the last unbeaten team in division one basketball.

While never losing love for the Indiana fans, he had previously been very open about his displeasure in the administration that fired him and had stated that he would never return to campus.

Athletic Director Fred Glass was aware of the visit ahead of time and did have this to say in regards to Knights appearance.

"“My understanding is that Coach Knight was in town for other reasons… He expressed interest in coming to a baseball game and obviously we were happy to facilitate that. I haven’t talked to him and don’t expect to.”"

For years, Indiana has tried to rebuild the relationship and get Knight to come back to campus but with no luck as he continuously declined each offer. Most recently, the school honored the 1976 National Championship team at a basketball game where almost the entire team was able to attend, except Knight.

It will be interesting to see how the relationship develops from here on out, especially with the recent news of Knight’s declining health.

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