Basketball Championship Indiana Connections
By Josh Ayen
Sports Capital Journalism Program, IUPUI
Drivers that travel across the Indiana state border are greeted by a sign posted along the interstate reading, “Indiana, the Crossroads of America.” The crossroads motto seems appropriate considering the number of local connections for this year’s Horizon League basketball tournaments.
Among the eight men’s and women’s head basketball coaches competing for an automatic berth to the NCAA tournament in the championship semifinals, two grew up in Indiana.
The IUPUI women’s basketball team, first-time regular-season champions, have been one of the biggest storylines this season in the Horizon League. The Jaguars have six student-athletes that grew up in Indiana, including five that attended Indianapolis-area high schools.
IUPUI plays their home games at “The Jungle” during the regular season, a 1,215-seat venue located on IUPUI’s campus. The women’s team is looking forward to the change of scenery when they go for a program-first Horizon League tournament championship at Indiana Farmers Coliseum.
“It’s going to be great being able to have the student body being there to have the support, for more community, that sort of thing,” senior point guard Holly Hoopingarner said. “Obviously it plays a huge role in making it a fun environment to play in.”
IUPUI women’s basketball head coach Austin Parkinson, a native of northern Indiana town Kokomo, is looking forward to competing for a conference tournament title five miles from campus.
“You look at our starters – Holly, Katelyn (O’Reilly), Macee (Williams), all from kind of around this area,” Parkinson said. “And I know we’re excited for the opportunity to play here in Indianapolis, and obviously I think the Coliseum is a really good venue for it.”
On the men’s side, Green Bay head coach Linc Darner has left his mark all across the state of Indiana.
Darner grew up in Anderson, northeast of Indianapolis. He played college basketball for legendary coach Gene Keady at Purdue. Before joining the Phoenix, Darner got his coaching start at former Division III school St. Joseph’s in the northwestern Indiana town of Rensselaer.
Some of Darner’s favorite memories during his time in Indiana include playing high school basketball in packed gymnasiums with nearly 6,000 fans.
A Horizon League championship would mean a great deal for any team that can string together crucial wins over the next several days. For coaches and players that could have a chance to return to their home state, a title in Indianapolis would make the victory even sweeter.