Bobby Plump -– the real-life Jimmy Chitwood –- said Gene Hackman deserves as much credit as anyone for taking his small-town Hoosier state basketball story beyond Indiana to the rest of the world. Hackman’s dazzling acting career stands out for sports fans for a single reason: His unforgettable role as Hickory Huskers coach Norman Dale in “Hoosiers,

Bobby Plump -– the real-life Jimmy Chitwood –- said Gene Hackman deserves as much credit as anyone for taking his small-town Hoosier state basketball story beyond Indiana to the rest the world.

Bobby Plump — the real-life Jimmy Chitwood — said Gene Hackman deserves as much credit as anyone for taking his small-town Hoosier state basketball story beyond Indiana to the rest the world. Hackman’s dazzling acting career stands out for sports fans for a single reason: His unforgettable role as Hickory Huskers coach Norman

Bobby Plump -– the real-life Jimmy Chitwood –- said Gene Hackman deserves as much credit as anyone for taking his small-town Hoosier state basketball story beyond Indiana to the rest of the world. Hackman’s dazzling acting career stands out for sports fans for a single reason: His unforgettable role as Hickory Huskers coach Norman Dale

In honor of Gene Hackman's passing, we go "UnPHILtered" with a member of the state championship winning team that inspired "Hoosiers."

Bobby Plump — the real-life Jimmy Chitwood — said Gene Hackman deserves as much credit as anyone for taking his small-town Hoosier state basketball story beyond Indiana to the rest

Bobby Plump — the real-life Jimmy Chitwood — said Gene Hackman deserves as much credit as anyone for taking his small-town Hoosier state basketball story beyond Indiana to the rest

There's one reason Hackman's dazzling acting career stands out for sports fans: His unforgettable role as Norman Dale, coach of the feel-good, state champion Hickory Huskers from a tiny Indiana town.

Gene Hackman, famed for his role in 'Hoosiers' as Coach Norman Dale, left a significant mark on sports cinema. The film, inspired by Milan's 1954 basketball triumph, remains influential. Bobby Plump,

Bobby Plump — the real-life Jimmy Chitwood — said Gene Hackman deserves as much credit as anyone for taking his small-town Hoosier state basketball story beyond Indiana to the rest

Gene Hackman's dazzling acting career stands out for sports fans for a single reason: his unforgettable role in "Hoosiers" as coach Norman Dale.

Gene Hackman's portrayal of Coach Norman Dale in the 1986 movie Hoosiers resonated deeply with audiences and helped the film become a timeless classic, while the Hoosier Gym in Knightstown, Indiana, continues to attract fans and movie buffs alike,