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Indianapolis museum honors Oscar Robertson, Black Hoosiers who made history

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Indianapolis museum honors Oscar Robertson, Black Hoosiers who made history


NBA legend Oscar Robertson poses for a photo outside Crispus Attucks High School. (Photo via Robert Chester)

The NBA’s premier event returns to Indianapolis for the first time in 39 years for the 73rd edition of NBA All-Star. While the city holds a rich history of basketball triumphs, it’s a complex history of a community that was once deeply divided over race and segregation. 

The Crispus Attucks Museum, which is attached to the Indianapolis Public School’s Crispus Attucks High, documents it all. From the unprecedented achievements of NBA legend Oscar Robertson to the newest exhibit on the history of lynching in America, each gallery tells a story of the Black experience in Indianapolis and the country. 

The museum, located at 1140 Doctor M.L.K. Jr. St., is open Tuesday-Sunday. 

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The NBA and Indiana Pacers organization are paying homage ahead of All-Star weekend, unveiling plans for an upcoming statue of Robertson to be installed in front of Crispus Attucks.

“We are thrilled to join the Pacers in commissioning a statue in recognition of Oscar’s extraordinary impact on the game and his hometown,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said.

Each element of the statue will be catered to his Indiana roots and illustrious basketball career. Robertson, the first high school player from Indianapolis to be named an NBA All-Star in 1961, selected the image for the 11-foot-5 statue. The metal will come from Cincinnati, where Robertson attended college and started his professional career with the Cincinnati Royals (now Sacramento Kings).

A smaller replica of the statue will be on display throughout All-Star weekend. 

In March, author Jack McCallum will release his new book, “The Real Hoosiers: Crispus Attucks High School, Oscar Robertson, and the Hidden History of Hoops.” 

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Breaking barriers through basketball

Before Robertson became an NBA legend, he and his high school basketball team at Crispus Attucks became the first all-Black school in the nation to win a state championship in 1955. Led by Robertson and coach Ray Crowe, who had developed a more free style of basketball that helped pioneer the modern game, the Tigers claimed their second championship in 1956 to secure back-to-back state titles. 

Before that, during Robertson’s sophomore season in 1954, the Crispus Attucks team reached the state quarterfinals where they lost to future state champions Milan, an all-white team that is the subject of the popular basketball drama film “Hoosiers.”

Nearly 70 years later, the unrivaled story of Indiana’s 1955 state title game has yet to be recognized on that same Hollywood scale. NBA.com’s Steve Aschburner once examined why it should be.

The Crispus Attucks Museum tells a story of the Black experience in Indianapolis and the country. (Photo via Robert Chester)

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Numerous changes have transformed Crispus Attucks High since Robertson attended. It faced closure at one point and solely operated as a middle school for years. The downsizing in student enrollment left underutilized space throughout the building, which sparked the idea of a museum.

Historian Robert Chester and the Indianapolis community sought to highlight the legacy of the first all-Black high school in the state of Indiana and the first all-Black high school in America to win a state championship. 

We are now in the 26th year into this wonderful experience of sharing the history, legacy and integrity of the first all-Black high school in the state,” Chester said.


Curating the museum 

To understand the essence of the Crispus Attucks Museum, it’s important to know the history that forced the school into existence.

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In the early 1920s, the Indianapolis School Board announced the need for a segregated high school for Black students, with much pressure coming from the state’s Ku Klux Klan.

The School Board initially planned to name the institution after Thomas Jefferson — former United States president and slave owner — but the Black community resisted. In 1927, the school was built and named in honor of Crispus Attucks, the first person killed by British troops in the Boston Massacre in 1770. 

“The first gallery of the museum tells the story of the high school and the early Black community, but entering the museum, you see the representation of Crispus Attucks, the man,” Chester said.

The museum opened in 1998 inside the school’s former auxiliary gymnasium. In 2006, the school became a high school again after 20 years of serving students at the junior high and middle school level. Not only is the museum embedded into one of the most historic high schools in the country, but it’s also the only museum in the country attached to a functioning public high school.

A sculpture of Crispus Attucks is located in the museum. (Photo via Samantha Johnson/WTHR-TV)

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Nearly 100% of items inside the museum are donated by members of the community and the general public. Chester, who has spent his life “growing gray” in this museum, wants to tell the story of not just the basketball experience, but the overall Black experience in Indianapolis. 

He recalls one particular interaction with a group of elderly white men visiting the museum and discussing the adversity Robertson and his team dealt with. “One of the gentlemen said, ‘We didn’t like you all. We never rooted for you all. We rooted for everyone against you all.’”

In other words, Chester says, “They never liked Black people.”

Many of the all-white teams playing against Crispus Attucks in the 1950s felt the same way. They mocked the Tigers because of their rickety bus and faded uniforms, or the fact their socks and sneakers didn’t match. They heckled, laughed and made all sorts of gestures that were akin to the time. 

“‘That was fun until you guys got us out on the court,’” Chester recalls the visitor saying. “‘You all could have lashed out, but you didn’t. You just kept it sportsmanlike on the court.’” 

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That interaction, among countless others, serves as a reminder to Chester about the invaluable history the museum holds and why the story of Robertson and the 1955 team must be preserved.

“(It went from) one of America’s first, highly despised and rejected high schools,” he said, “to America’s most celebrated high school today.”

* * *

Michaela Gilmer is a producer for NBA.com.

The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs or Warner Bros. Discovery.

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Indianapolis, IN

Colts’ Shane Steichen Talks Anthony Richardson’s Status vs. Giants

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Colts’ Shane Steichen Talks Anthony Richardson’s Status vs. Giants


Anthony Richardson hasn’t practiced this week, but Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen isn’t ready to rule him out for Sunday afternoon’s game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.

Richardson, who is listed on the injury report with foot and back ailments, played throughout the Colts’ 38-30 victory over the Tennessee Titans last Sunday. However, Steichen told reporters on Friday that Richardson came out of the game feeling the injuries, and he’s been “really sore” all week. Steichen elaborated that it’s moreso Richardson’s back that’s been bothering him rather than the foot.

“We’ll see how the next 48 hours go,” Steichen said about Richardson’s availability this Sunday.

The Colts, who are still technically alive in the AFC playoff hunt, will be eliminated from contention if the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers both win on Saturday. “No matter what, we’re trying to go win a football game,” Steichen said when asked if Saturday’s results will affect whether or not Richardson plays.

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If Richardson cannot play, Steichen confirmed it will be Joe Flacco getting the start at quarterback.

What happens next for the Colts? Don’t miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our free newsletter and get breaking Colts news delivered to your inbox daily!

Richardson missed Weeks 5 and 6 with an oblique injury earlier this season and then was benched in favor of Flacco for Weeks 9 and 10 before returning to the starting lineup in Week 11.

In 11 games this season, Richardson is 126-of-264 (47.7%) passing for 1,814 yards (6.9 YPA), 8 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions for passer rating of 61.6. He’s also carried the ball 86 times for 499 yards (5.8 avg.), and 6 touchdowns.

The Colts finish the season next Sunday, January 5 at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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Need your fill on daily Colts’ content? Head over to the Locked On Colts’ YouTube channel where Jake Arthur and Zach Hicks hit on all the major topics surrounding this team. Hit that subscribe button while you are there!

Become a Locked On Colts insider! Ask your burning questions and get prompt answers from someone who’s around the team every day! Get special access from the locker room, practice field, and press box!

Follow Horseshoe Huddle on Facebook and X, and subscribe on YouTube for multiple Colts live-stream podcasts per week.





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Indianapolis, IN

Wet and breezy Friday, Spring-Like Saturday ahead | Dec. 27, 2024

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Wet and breezy Friday, Spring-Like Saturday ahead | Dec. 27, 2024


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Some areas could receive up to 1″ of precipitation through the end of the weekend.

This morning:

A few showers are already starting to work through the area very early this morning under mostly cloudy skies. Temperatures are hovering in the mid and upper 40s so far this morning.

Friday:

Clouds will continue to increase through the morning hours heading into midday. Scattered showers become a bit more widespread as we get later on into the morning hours. There will be some moderate pockets of rain from the midmorning to early afternoon hours. Once we head into the afternoon, we’ll see our chances of rain become a bit more spotty and lighter.

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Meanwhile, winds will ramp up a bit with gusts as high as 30 mph.

High temperatures will top out into the mid-50s this afternoon.

Friday night:

Cloudy skies will continue as we head into the overnight hours with a few areas of light rain and drizzle. Temperatures are going to remain very mild with overnight lows into the upper 40s and lower 50s. 

Weekend:

Saturday looks dry for the daytime hours with mostly cloudy skies. Temperatures will be very mild for this time of year. In fact, we could push close to a record high, which is 65°(1984). Saturday, we’ll see highs into the low to mid-60s across Central Indiana.

Showers will return as we head into your Saturday late evening, coming in from the south. Heaviest rainfall will occur during the overnight hours.

Scattered showers will look to continue on and off through much of our Sunday. Total rainfall amounts could push close to an inch of precipitation.

High temperatures will top out into the low to mid 50s on Sunday. In addition to the rain, look for winds to gust over 30 mph at times.

We will start off the New Year’s week dry on Monday with partly cloudy skies and highs around 50°. Another storm complex coming in on New Year’s Eve will bring widespread rain and gusty winds and highs into the upper 40s.

A big pattern shift moves in for the new year with a trough of colder air coming in from Canada. He will return to the 30s starting on Wednesday. There are some hints of some light snow showers possible for New Year’s Day.



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Richardson's status still unknown for Sunday's game at Giants

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Richardson's status still unknown for Sunday's game at Giants


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Colts are still in the playoff hunt, but there is a chance they’ll have to play Sunday’s must-win game against the New York Giants without starting quarterback Anthony Richardson.

Richardson did not practice Thursday — as the Colts returned to the field after having Christmas Day off. The Colts quarterback is dealing with injuries to both his back and foot.

This was the second-straight day Richardson was listed as “DNP” on the team’s practice report. However, Wednesday’s designation was only an estimation as the Colts didn’t practice on the holiday.

ESPN is reporting that the Colts are optimistic Richardson will be available for Sunday’s game in the Meadowlands, but a lot of that decision will depend on how much — let alone if — Richardson will be able to practice Friday. Richardson’s never played a game in his young two-year career after being limited in any capacity during the week of practice.

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Neither Richardson nor head coach Shane Steichen have spoken to media since Richardson’s injuries were first listed on the practice report. However, Richardson did comment on how his body’s been feeling as the Colts use him more and more as a runner.

“You’re going to feel those hits the next day,” Richardson said. “It’s kind of weird because I was telling my family, like in college I didn’t really get sore. But NFL, it’s a different breed, different game. You have some grown men out there playing football, so it’s always a little different getting tackled by those guys. But it’s all part of it. You just have to keep adjusting and just keep your body right so you can keep performing.”

Richardson ran for 70 yards and a touchdown in the Colts 38-30 win over the Tennessee Titans last Sunday. He also was 7-of-11 and threw for 131 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Richardson’s amassed 499 total rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns so far this season — both stats franchise records for quarterbacks.

If Richardson is unavailable Sunday, the Colts will have to lean on veteran backup Joe Flacco, who was taking starting reps during Thursday’s practice. Flacco’s played in six games this season. The Colts are 1-3 with Flacco as starter.

Indy needs a win against the Giants to keep playoff chances alive. If the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos both win during their respective matchups on Saturday, the Colts will be eliminated from the postseason. Otherwise, the Colts need to win these final two games against the Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars and get some help from a slew of other AFC teams. Full playoff scenarios have been detailed by the Colts’ JJ Stankevitz here.

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