Illinois State men’s basketball team to play at Horton Fieldhouse
NORMAL, Ill. — Get ready to take a trip down memory lane as the Illinois State Redbirds basketball team suits up in non-standard/throwback jerseys for an experience that no Redbird team has had in 34 years. On Dec. 10 at 3 p.m., the Redbirds will “Return to Horton” in a game versus Southern Illinois-Edwardsville.
Historic Horton Fieldhouse is where it all started for the Redbirds basketball program back in 1963. It was their home from 1963 to 1988 where many legends have played. Coach Ryan Pedon considers this game an honor. “Horton Fieldhouse, as we all know, is a historic venue with many magical memories. To know that we will be competing in that building for the first time in 34 years is something that will be very special for all of us.”
There has been a consistent mention among donors, alumni and fans of the memories of the atmosphere in Horton Fieldhouse and watching historic players. “The more I heard, the more I became intrigued with bringing some magic back for our fanbase,” Director of Athletics Kyle Brennan said.
Making this game happen has come with its challenges because Horton Fieldhouse is not equipped with all of the technological advances Redbird Arena has, codes have changed, and NCAA rules have been updated a lot since 1988. Due to the limited capacity, only 3,800 seats will be sold and there will be modified amenities.
You might have to walk farther to the concessions. There won’t be a center scoreboard. You will be sitting on bleachers. Deputy Athletic Director Mark Muhlhauser asks of the fans, “Have grace and embrace the nostalgia.” It has taken a great deal of creativity and modifications to stay within NCAA rules. For example, figuring out something as “simple” as the red-light technology around the backboards that coordinates with the shot clock has presented a challenge.
Then there’s the opponent. Would they be OK with all of this? Fortunately for the Redbirds, it could not have aligned more perfectly. When the call was made to Southern Illinois-Edwardsville coach Brian Barone, there was quick approval of the venue because as it turns out, his father Tony used to coach at Horton Fieldhouse during his time as assistant coach at Bradley during the 1980s. He was thrilled to have the opportunity to coach there, too.
Prior to the event, there will be a ‘Lunch with a Legend’ experience with Redbird legend and Hall of Famer Doug Collins. Coach Pedon states, “Having Doug Collins be a part of this event will undoubtedly elevate the nostalgic experience. We can’t wait to welcome back all of our former players, coaches, and staff members who have all left a piece of their heart in that building.”
Doug Collins is beyond excited for the game and the opportunity to be a part of it. Doug played for the Redbirds from 1970 to 1973 for Coach Will Robinson. Collins certainly would love to see some key teammates back for the event including Dan Witt, one of his best friends, Ron DeVries, and Craig Spiers, his first roommate. “I love all my teammates dearly and they taught me so much about life, a lot of great memories with all of them.”
Illinois State University has always been a “home” for Collins. He describes his time at ISU as “four of the best years of my life,” and coming back always feels like he is among family. He hopes alumni, former players and former coaches feel that way. Doug speaks for a moment about the dismissal of most recent coach, Dan Muller. “Dan is a tremendous Redbird. He gave so much of himself to the school, and I hope he knows he is always welcome at ISU. We love him and he is always welcome here.”
Collins then gives a little insight on new coach Ryan Pedon. When Collins first walked into North Gym where the team was practicing, he felt instant love and respect. “They all thanked me. That meant so much to me. What I know about Ryan is his heart is pure and he’s got an amazing staff that he has put together, including long-time friend Rob Judson and Andrew Dakich. I’ve gotten to know Andrew as he’s taken me to O’Hare a few times and we have had some great conversations. I think he’s going to be a great coach and I think his passion will help revitalize our program. Ryan and his staff come with great experience, love and respect for the game and the program.”
Collins is excited about the program Ryan is building. “I hope this becomes a program where the guys stay four years. Then if they move on after that, great.” With the new rules including the NIL and the transfer portal, it is becoming much harder to keep a team together. “A huge part of success is failure. I have scars to prove that failure has been a huge part of my life. It is important for young people to learn how to deal with failure and grow from it. Grace and grit are two words that are so important to me and my life. Grace, a simple elegance, and grit, strength of character.”
When Collins is asked to speak to young players today and share his experiences. What resonates with him are two more key words. “Two more words that have helped get me to where I am today are ‘voices’ and ‘choices.’ Who are you listening to and what are the choices you are making based on those voices?”
Doug wishes things were different for young athletes as they enter college today. “I played on a freshman team and it was one of the greatest growth years of my life. To be away from home and to learn to balance and discipline myself to be successful both academically and athletically, I really grew up.” Leadership has evolved over the years, and today, love has to come before the tough. “When I played we learned from ‘tough love.’ Today athletes learn from ‘love tough.’ Feel love first and then trust enough take the tough.”
Today the fear of failure is more prevalent than it used to be. Ultimately, failure is a key factor in who we become. Every scar is a growing point. “You will become your future self by the adversities you experience today as you turn them into opportunities, and along the way you will gain wisdom.” It’s one of the reasons that when Collins speaks, he tries to share his successes as well as his failures.
Collins loves to meet others and hear their stories. The more we learn about others, the more we have an opportunity to connect with them. “At 71, I can still learn. I want to be around smart people. I love meeting people who also want to share with me their passions and their career goals. I want to share not just my life about hoops, but I am a husband, father and a grandfather and love sharing what that means to me.”
When it comes down to it, regardless of our successes, we are all still people striving to live our best lives. Coming into college to play at ISU, Collins never imagined playing in the NBA. It wasn’t something that even entered his mind until he made the Olympic team and sized himself up with his peers. It was then that he thought he may have a chance and with the grace and grit and help from those around him, he made a name for himself.
Collins takes every visit home seriously. He is humbled every time he steps foot on campus, but with 50 years of additional wisdom, he has felt his appreciation develop even stronger. “I realize that I worked my tail off, but what I became, I couldn’t do that alone. I had people on my ride with me, people that loved me and were with me unconditionally. I take it seriously when I come back to Redbird arena and look at the trophy case in the concourse. To see my jersey and to see my name on the court, I find myself daydreaming. It’s nostalgic…thinking of all the time and blood, sweat and tears I put in and the coaches and teammates that were on that journey with me. Don Franke has become my lifelong friend, I met him my first day on campus. I remember walking from Wilkins Hall over to start my journey in my new home at the gym at Horton and Don walked up and introduced himself; he’s been with me every step of the way. It’s been an amazing 53 years together. I also think of Will Robinson, who became the first Black coach in Division I history. He was a man who helped open the doors for all the future black coaches in America including John Thompson and Nolan Richardson who both went on to win national championships, and more importantly taught me so much about life. And, last but not least, is Milt Weisbecker, who I lovingly called ‘Dr. W’ He was the one who had the courage to hire Coach Robinson in 1970 to come to Illinois State. Dr. W. was like a father to me in every way. I fell in love with him. I trusted both of these men to lead me and guide me and to get me to where I wanted to be to live my dream. I miss them both dearly and I find myself still hearing the voices of their leadership. I also have to call out the year, 1972, another one of the best years of my life. That’s when I met my wife Kathy. She has been a part of my journey since then. She is the rock and glue of the Collins family.”
When Doug Collins walks into Horton Fieldhouse on Dec. 10, he speaks of the emotion he is going to feel. “Hopefully I look up to a sold-out crowd. I hope everyone is excited to cheer for our ‘birds. It will remind me of the days that I looked up at the crowd. I wanted to win, I wanted to entertain, and I wanted the fans to see us succeed. I wish I had a heart monitor on the moment I arrive as I walk in Horton. My heart will probably be beating out of my chest. I will be flooded with memories and excitement. I grew up at ISU, it changed my life. I can’t wait. I’m sure I’ll cry. I’m sure I’ll laugh. And I know I’ll be cheering on the Redbirds always and forever.”
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