Bob Knight is being remembered for the indelible mark he left on Indiana University.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind — It's been a tough time for Indiana Hoosiers basketball since the announcement of Bob Knight's passing.
On Thursday, current and former Hoosiers declared that while Knight may no longer be present, Assembly Hall will always be his home. A memorial continues to grow outside of the place where he made history so many times.
"This program will truly miss an icon," said current IU head coach Mike Woodson, who played at IU under Knight.
Knight is being remembered as an icon that set countless others up to become one themselves.
"When you lose a legend like Bob Knight, who meant the world to me in terms of my growth, he basically shaped my whole career," Woodson said.
"He touched a lot of lives while he was on this Earth," former player and current director of player development Calbert Cheaney said.
Woodson recalled what impressed him most when he first met Knight.
"He promised me that I would get an education and that I would play for the best basketball program in the country," Woodson said.
Woodson said Knight kept his promise — and Woodson is continuing that legacy with his own players.
"I'm going to continue to push guys and make sure they do all the things on the court, as well as off the court," Woodson said.
While guys like Trey Galloway and Xavier Johnson never played for Knight, they recognize their role on the basketball team is part of his legacy.
"As a team, we've got to come as a unit and play hard for him," Johnson said. "And we've got another reason why we are playing."
"Knowing what he had and how special it was, it's important for us to carry that on and play hard like we have been," Galloway said.
Knight died Wednesday at the age of 83. Even though his health had been failing, those who knew him said it still felt too soon. Now, they're left with the memories.
"He was one of the greatest coaches I've been around. The world lost a great man yesterday," Cheaney said.
Three national championships later, Knight's legacy will be there for all Hoosiers to come.
