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'Hoosiers' legends celebrate 70th anniversary of 'Milan Miracle' at iconic Indy hardware store

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'Hoosiers' legends celebrate 70th anniversary of 'Milan Miracle' at iconic Indy hardware store


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Customers stopping by Sullivan’s Hardware and Garden on Saturday might have had the chance to bump into a pair of basketball legends.

Indiana Basketball Hall-of-Famer Bobby Plump and former actor Maris Valainis dropped in the hardware store at 71st Street and Keystone Avenue for a special visit celebrating the 70th anniversary of Milan High School’s win at the 1954 Indiana High School Athletic Association Boys Basketball State Championship.

Plump shot the game-winning basket for Milan High School in the 1954 State Championship, more commonly called the “Milan Miracle” and retold by the film “Hoosiers.” The IHSAA later awarded Plump the Trester Award for mental attitude and sportsmanship.

Valainis’ tie to the “Miracle” comes from acting days when he portrayed “Jimmy Chitwood,” the character based on Plump in the 1986 movie.

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The two men enjoyed their morning at the hardware store signing autographs on photos and basketballs, and taking calls on a local radio show.

Many might ask why the two “Hoosiers” chose to spend their time celebrating at the well-known shop, and the answer comes from a handful of unique connections.

While 2024 is the 70th anniversary of the championship, Sullivan’s Hardware also marks its 70th year in business. But the connections don’t end there – both Plump and Valainis have personal ties to the store.

Store managers shared with News 8 that Plump’s family had an account at the store, and he has remained a lifelong customer. Additionally, Valainis worked at Sullivan’s Hardware for some time before being cast in “Hoosiers.”

Plump spoke to News 8 about what happened in life after sinking the winning shot.

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“There wasn’t very much money made back in the NBA then, (but) the state department sent us to Mexico for three weeks, we were in the Middle East for seven weeks. And for a kid from Pierceville, Indiana, when they said, ‘We’re going to the Middle East,’ we had to get a globe and turn it around and find out where the hell the Middle East was!”

He continued by expressing his love for the people who have remembered him and the “Milan Miracle” after all this time.

“It’s just been a wonderful, wonderful time, and I’m just appreciative of the fact that people remember. They’ve been awfully nice to me,” he said.



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Indianapolis, IN

IMPD asks for help to find missing 26-year-old man

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IMPD asks for help to find missing 26-year-old man


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indianapolis police on Tuesday asked for the public’s help to find a missing 26-year-old man with autism.

Tyrese Pepper was described as being 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighing 150 pounds. He was wearing a dark-colored jacket with a Colts logo and navy jogger pants.

He was last seen riding a navy-and-white bicycle eastbound on East 21st Street, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

IMPD says Pepper is nonverbal and autistic.

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If located, please call 911 immediately.



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Indianapolis councilman says ‘No Data Centers’ note was left at his home after someone opened fire

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Indianapolis councilman says ‘No Data Centers’ note was left at his home after someone opened fire


The home of a councilman in Indianapolis was shot at early Monday in what local police said was an “isolated, targeted incident.”

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The incident came less than a week after the Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission voted 6 to 2 on April 1 to approve rezoning to allow the construction of a data center.

Ron Gibson, a Democrat who represents District 8 on the council, spoke out in support of the rezoning and the efforts to build the data center in his district.

“Earlier this morning, between approximately 12:45 a.m. and 12:50 a.m., just a few hours after Easter Sunday, an individual fired 13 rounds at the front door of my home and left a note on my doorstep that read, ‘No Data Centers,’” Gibson said in a Monday statement.


“No Data Centers” note, according to a photo taken by Councilman Ron Gibson. 

Councilman Ron Gibson

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The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said it was called to the home on Monday morning, and officers found evidence that gunshots had been fired at the house. Police said no injuries were reported.

“I understand that public service can bring strong opinions and disagreement, but violence is never the answer, especially when it puts families at risk,” Gibson said in his statement.

The Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council did not respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.

The data center is set to be built by Metrobloks, a data center developer based in Los Angeles. Following the vote last week, Gibson shared a statement on social media promoting the project.

“Metrobloks has the potential to bring significant investment, create jobs, and generate long-term tax revenue that supports infrastructure, housing, and essential services,” the statement said.

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A data center boom is happening across the US, with companies pouring billions into building the infrastructure to keep up with demand in the era of AI. The data centers have faced increased opposition, with critics pointing to the high resource costs, from water to energy, and other issues like noise pollution, as detailed in a Business Insider investigation.





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Recorder Rewind: NCAA Division III basketball championship (Photos)

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Recorder Rewind: NCAA Division III basketball championship (Photos)


The University of Mary Washington men’s basketball team won the 2026 NCAA Division III national championship on April 5, defeating Emory University 75-73 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis to secure the first national title in program history.



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