In 1985, two novice moviemakers, director David Anspaugh and writer/producer Angelo Pizzo, began filming Hoosiers. They and their cast and crew faced the pressures of a short schedule, a small budget, and other challenges. Yet buoyed by the support of countless Indiana residents, they overcame their own self-doubt and the skepticism of outsiders to create a classic. This website showcases rare images from and not-widely-known facts about this much-loved movie.
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In Memoriam: Gene Hackman
1930–2025
The creators of Hoosiers got a lucky break when noted actor Gene Hackman signed on to play Coach Norman Dale. Having an Academy Award winner in the lead role of their first motion picture was probably more than director David Anspaugh and writer/producer Angelo Pizzo ever could have hoped for.
Gene Hackman prepares for the scene in which he drives to Hickory for the first time, mid-October 1985. (Photo by Frank Oliver of the Lafayette (Ind.) Journal and Courier.)
During preproduction, “Angelo and I spent a great deal of time with Gene,” Anspaugh said, “starting at page 1 and going through every single scene, even scenes he wasn’t in. We wanted his opinion and feedback. And he’s such a smart actor, and his instincts are so good. And this was the first time Angelo had worked with an actor who, instead of wanting more lines, wanted fewer. With certain scenes, Gene would say, ‘I don’t need to say all that; I can act that.’”
Hackman did indeed prove to be expert at communicating his character’s feelings through facial expressions and body language. In the scene where teacher Myra Fleener informs Norman of the town meeting that will decide whether he will be fired, you can sense his deep hurt as he searches for a reply. When Myra later reads aloud the newspaper article she found that details the incident that got Norman suspended from college coaching, his face cycles through a range of emotions. And you can perceive his sorrow and dispiritedness during his brief speech at the town meeting, even as he states, “I apologize for nothing.”
Hackman signs a souvenir T-shirt for a young fan in filming site New Richmond.
Said Anspaugh, “From the moment [Hackman] opened his mouth, and we did [the initial script] read-through, Angelo and I looked at each other and knew we had stumbled into the best choice we could have made. So I thought [working with Hackman] would be a magnificent experience.” But that’s not how things turned out. Throughout production Hackman battled with and challenged Anspaugh. Although he patiently signed autographs for and took pictures with a huge number of extras, behind the scenes Hackman was unrelentingly negative. He often questioned Anspaugh’s abilities as a director and predicted that Hoosiers would be a commercial failure. Anspaugh eventually figured out that Hackman felt more comfortable on a movie set that was anxious, not calm, so if the director didn’t create tension, Hackman did.
Critics and audiences loved Hoosiers—especially Hackman’s performance. Before Oscar nominations were announced in early 1987, some entertainment writers suggested Hackman as a candidate for Best Actor. When asked how he felt about the prospect of being nominated, he replied, “I don’t have a lot of thoughts about it. It didn’t feel, to me, like that kind of a role. It doesn’t have the great emotional scene or the flamboyance it usually takes to get a nomination.” He shrugged off his role as “22 days [of] sitting on the bench, watching those boys run up and down the gym floor.”
The verdict Hackman rendered on Hoosiers upon its premiere was unexpectedly complimentary. “I’m somewhat surprised the film works as well as it does,” he said. “One, I was very surprised that the director and writer were able to capture as much of the feeling of the town and people [as they did]…. Also, the cinematography: I thought that the film looked quite beautiful, and I was very pleased with that.” He added, “It’s not only a good human story, but it has a lot of action in it. It has a nice balance, so I feel in the end it was worth doing.” Many years later Hackman admitted to a reporter, “I took the film at a time that I was desperate for money. I took it for all the wrong reasons.”
As to why Hackman had been so disagreeable during filming, especially toward Anspaugh, he confessed in a 1987 interview, “I have fights all the time with directors. I’m not sure why, really. It’s one of the continuing dramas of my life.” In a 2004 appearance on Larry King Live, Hackman offered a simple explanation: “I have trouble with direction because I have trouble with authority.”
Anspaugh acknowledged that working with Hackman hadn’t been all bad: “I learned a lot from him—things I could incorporate into my directing.” When the actor had offered suggestions, Anspaugh said, they came from a creative place, not from a desire to be a jerk. On the 40-year anniversary of Hoosiers’ production, it’s impossible to picture anyone other than Gene Hackman in the role of Coach Norman Dale—the character who announced to the world, “Welcome to Indiana basketball.”
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For more stories like this one, read the updated and expanded The Making of Hoosiers, Second Edition. Also available for Kindle! New to this edition are photos and images, as well as additional stories, quotations, details, and information on the production of this classic motion picture. The most complete account of the creation of the movie, it’s a must-have for anyone who loves Hoosiers. Paperback; 312 pages; $16.50; published August 2016. Kindle edition $9.99. Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Copyright © 2013–2025 The Hoosiers Archive
I love the Hoosiers movie. I watch it often. I always wondered how Buddy got back on the team. That should be shown.
Live in South Dakota. Love Hoosiers. We have 3 classes of high school basketball. I know some years the small schools would match up well with Sioux Falls big schools.
Grew up in Lewisville, Indiana, 9 miles east of Knightstown. Played basketball in the Knightstown gym back in the ’60s. Played basketball for Lewisville Bears 61-64 with Marion Pierce. Marion graduated in 1961 after becoming the state’s all-time leading scorer with 3,019 points during his high school career. These were 32-minute games (4 8-minute quarters). Marion held the title until Damon Bailey broke his scoring record with 3,134 career points.
Hi all,
We’re in no-basketball country here in Quebec, where hockey is #1. But Hoosiers has a lot of fans here. No movie that inspirational has ever been made about the so-called major sports. I personally love how the details are true to history, how the players gradually gain respect for Coach Dale, and how Indiana autumn looks like ours. Long live the Huskers!
My grandson played an all-star game at Hoosier Gym today. The restoration is really something. I took a lot of pictures. After reading your fabulous website I watched Hoosiers again with a new perspective. Thank you for your dedication.
Boyd (Bloomington). 09FEB2020
I was a letter carrier in Knightstown when the movie was being shot. While I was delivering in the area of the Hoosier Gym one day, a man was walking around by himself in the schoolyard. I wondered if it could be one of the actors. I walked over and got to meet Gene Hackman. Very nice guy just out enjoying the area!
GREAT site!!! Thanks for sharing. I was an extra at the Regional game filmed in Lebanon, Indiana. I have a few photos and part of a script autographed by the entire team plus the main stars. Lots of wonderful memories from working on this film.
Thanks so much Gayle for your fine and insightful book, truly a labor of love. And thanks too for this site, so full of fascinating material. I learned a heap. Both a great tribute to the thrilling, vibrant, melancholy, warmhearted poem that is Hoosiers.
Coming back to the film again, I seem to see and hear Coach Dale – ‘They put themselves on the line… This is your movie!’
your site is an amazing resource! thanks for all the hard work!
Wow, the great rebel Steve “Rade” Hollar left a comment. That’s a tribute to this interesting BTS site for one of the greatest movies ever. How ironic that the character with the biggest mouth ended up as a career dentist. Found myself watching HOOSIERS again today with a different perspective from all of the times before. That’s what wisdom will do to you. What an amazing discovery to learn that Ray Crowe was Oscar Robertson’s high school basketball coach from this site. Thank you David, Angelo, Steve and everyone who collaborated on this timeless work of inspiration. May you rest in peace, Kent Poole!
I was watching “Hoosiers” this morning and noticed something that I don’t see mentioned anywhere on this site. The scene in the locker room before the Championship game opens with Coach Dale going over the top players for the opposing team. Their top player is named “Boyle”. Then I noticed that all the top players listed on the chalk board share the last names of the actors playing the Hickory Huskers: Hollar, Long, Poole, Schenck. I had never noticed that before. 🙂
Excellent site – one of my favorite movies of all time. Thank you for building this site for fans and friends.
Went to New Richmond today. Everything is there except Coach Norman Dale. Great site, great book, too!
Gayle,
Love this site and your book!
Troy
Gayle,
Just found the site. I am #5 on the Linton team. I did not know a team photo existed. Great site!
Hey, Gayle!
Great site! Keep up the good work!
I just purchased the book and have found a lot of information on the movie. I grew up in Knightstown and my grandmother lived on the alley next to the Hoosier Gym. I spent many years playing ball in the gym. I plan on a road trip to see some of the other filming locations. Love the movie and will finish the book soon.
Absolutely love this site and just purchased the book! Can’t get enough of this movie and really enjoyed going down memory lane. Loved the movie as a young girl! Thanks for collecting the facts and sharing with all of us fanatics!
I’ve loved this film for years….stumbled on this site by chance…great pics and info about the locations would love to come over to the states and visit them ……great site….will buy the book as well….
You have a great site!!!
I found your website by accident the other day and I just love it. We’ve visited the gym several times, went to New Richmond twice and try to collect as much info and memorabilia as possible. We have many relatives up near Kokomo and we always come to Knightstown before going up there. We are thrilled with all the information on your site. Thank you so much.
Awesome website! I’ve watched this movie countless times and love it!
Awesome job with the site,Gayle–you are a true “HOOSIERS” expert!(Buddy-#14)
You have done a fantastic job of collecting information and memorabilia. Kudos to you for all of your hard work! This is a great resource for fans of the movie.
Gayle,
I enjoyed talking with you in Milan. I wish you much success on the new book.
My Best,
Steve Hollar aka Rade Butcher
What a great site. Started to re-read your book!
Great job Gayle. Can’t wait for more to come.