The Hoosiers Movie

The Hoosiers Collection

The Milan 54- Hoosiers Museum is home to the “Hoosiers Collection” the largest collection of “Hoosiers” Movie props and uniforms known in existence. See the uniforms worn by your favorite Hickory Huskers like “Jimmy Chitwood,” “Buddy” and “Strap.” View Myra Fleener’s (Barbara Hershey) ¾ length “Betty Rose” vintage coat that she wore when she confronted Coach Norman Dale (Gene Hackman) about his past. The collection consists of more than 100 items which includes many opposing team uniforms such as Cedar Knobs, Birdseye, Oolitic, South Bend Central, Decatur and Terhune. The collection includes jerseys, shorts, Chuck Taylor shoes, warm ups, pull-overs, cheerleader outfits and much more. These priceless artifacts are certified and a significant part of Indiana’s Basketball Heritage. The “Hoosier Collection” is something that you will not want to miss!

The “Milan” Final Shot

The “Hoosiers” Final Shot

Real Life vs Reel Life

The small town’s victory was immortalized in the 1986 film, “Hoosiers,” starring Gene Hackman.

“Hoosiers, had plenty of real-life drama, but,” said Angelo Pizzo, the scriptwriter, “a great deal of fictionalization was necessary for the
Hollywood feature because their lives were not dramatic enough.”

In an article by Jeff Merron he compares REAL life with REEL life:

In Reel Life

The team that wins the championship is Hickory High.

In Real Life

The team that won the championship is Milan High. There is no town of Hickory in Indiana.

In Reel Life

Hickory wins the title in 1952.

In Real Life

Milan won the title in 1954.

In Reel Life

The previous coach dies, which is a crucial part of the plot — the team’s star player, Jimmy, doesn’t play part of the season because he’s so upset.

In Real Life

The previous coach, Herman “Snort” Grinstead, who Bobby Plump (the real-life hero) said in an ESPN chat was “the most popular coach in Milan’s history,” was fired for ordering new uniforms against the superintendent’s orders.

In Reel Life

The head coach, Norman Dale, is a middle-aged man with a mysterious past that includes being suspended years ago for punching one of his star players.

In Real Life

The head coach, Marvin Wood, was 26 years old when he coached Milan to the title, and it was his second year as head coach of the team.

In Reel Life

Coach Dale alienates just about everyone with his independence, and there is a town referendum on whether the school should keep Dale on as coach.

In Real Life

Marvin Wood did face an uphill struggle, because he replaced Snort and changed both his offense and defense. But by the time the Milan Indians were playing their championship season, he had won the town over.

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

Clarence Kelly and Mark Combs were the assistant coaches, however neither were alcoholics and they did not have sons on the team.

In Reel Life

Coach Dale is an outspoken and sometimes abrasive man.

In Real Life

Coach Wood was softspoken.

In Reel Life

Hickory is the ultimate Cinderella team, a classic underdog coming out of nowhere.

In Real Life

Milan High had made it to the semifinals of the state tourney in the 1952-53 season, and the key players returned the next season. They entered the tournament with a 19-2 record.

In Reel Life

Coach Dale has slow-burning romance with teacher Myra Fleener (played by Barbara Hersey).

In Real Life

Coach Wood was married with two children and didn’t have a romantic relationship with a teacher.

In Reel Life

Coach Dale is a taskmaster during practices, running the players through drills. He does so wearing shirt and tie.

In Real Life

Coach Wood often suited up and played with the team during practices.

In Reel Life

Jimmy Chitwood, the team’s star player (the Hollywood version of Bobby Plump) sits out half the season because he’s so upset about the previous coach dying.

In Real Life

Bobby Plump played the entire season.

In Reel Life

Hickory’s total enrollment of 161 is so small that it can only field a team of six players.

In Real Life

Milan High did have an enrollment of only 161, but 58 of the 73 boys in the school tried out for the team. Milan High had 12 team members in 1954.