Plaques / Trophies
Indiana University Basketball Memorabilia
In this category, you’ll find a collection of plaques and trophies celebrating Indiana University’s success in basketball.
Item: 1976 Indiana Hoosiers Commemorative Pewter Medallion
The craftsmanship on this pewter medallion commemorating IU’s perfect season is quite impressive. Some might call a technical foul, but I changed the look of the plaque as I acquired it. I stripped the finish off of the wood (looked like that good ole’ wood oak wood color from the 70’s), applied a black varnish, and re-sealed the wood. Goes much better with my personal tastes and the rest of my decor. I like how the medallion pops off of the background. Medallion is 5.5” in diameter.
Estimated Value: $125-$150
Year: 1976
Item: 1975-76 Indiana University Limited Edition Plaque
I have a number of these three-dimensional plaques, but this one is by far my fave. Cast in ceramic, this plaque was limited to 1000 pieces…of which I now own two (more on that). While quite heavy, I’m sure that an unknown number of these were broken and perhaps destroyed. The plaque features the results of each game, a basketball with facsimile signatures, and a classic IU trident with a montage of photos from the perfect season. The entire team lines the bottom of the plaque.
These plaques are seldom ever offered for sale. I missed an opportunity to purchase one at a local auction many years ago and only came across one on ebay several years later. It was somewhat “roached”…but given the scarcity I couldn’t pass it up. As you can imagine, shipping a delicate item like this is a recipe for disaster. Of course, and much to my dismay, it arrived broken. As coincidence or the basketball gods may have it, another one came available for purchase within two weeks of my travesty. I purchased it and gladly picked it up directly from the owner in B-town. It’s one of the finest condition plaques I’ve seen. I still have plans to repair the other plaque, considering the piece that broke off was as clean of a break as you could hope for. Plaque measures 15.75” x 19.75”.
Estimated Value: $250-$300
Year: 1976
Item: 1975-76 Indiana University Limited Edition Plaque (NCAA / Big Ten Champions)
I don’t know how many of these were made, but from my experience, I’ve seen less of these come available for sale relative to the larger plaques. Made by Commemoratives Limited out of Bloomington, Indiana, this plaque measures 8.5” x 11”.
Estimated Value: $125-$150
Year: 1976
Item: 1976 Philadelphia Daily News NCAA Champs Plaque
Replica of the front page newspaper article from the city of brotherly love, the plaque is similar to the other 1976 plaque I have with a banner, text and photos. Plaque measures 13.5'“ x 17”.
Estimated Value: $150-$200
Year: 1976
Item: 1976 Indiana University National Champions Plaque
A beautiful plaque featuring a textured basketball as the centerpiece along with the game results for each game in the season. You’ll see only some subtle difference between the 81’ and 87’ plaques. Plaque measures 14” x 20.5”.
Estimated Value: $150-$200
Year: 1976
Item: 1981 Indiana University National Champions Plaque
A beautiful plaque featuring a textured basketball as the centerpiece along with the game results for each game in the season. You’ll see only some subtle difference between the 76’ (font used for the years) and 87’ (color of the basketball) plaques. Plaque measures 14” x 20.5”.
Estimated Value: $150-$200
Year: 1981
Item: 1987 Indiana University National Champions Plaque
A beautiful plaque featuring a textured basketball as the centerpiece along with the game results for each game in the season. For the sake of consistency, I’m not sure why they went with the brown ball for the plaque in this year. Plaque measures 14” x 20.5”.
Estimated Value: $150-$200
Year: 1987
Item: 1987 Indiana University National Champs Plaque
Made by Bruce Fox, Inc. out of New Albany, Indiana, this plaque (there are two other variations) is quite rare. I heard from a friend (who gave me this plaque) that someone in his family worked in the shop and he believed only a ‘couple hundred’ of these were made.
Estimated Value: $300-$350
Year: 1987
Item: 1987 Indiana University National Champs Plaque (Black Variant)
This is one of the two variants that I’m aware of — and I have no idea of the production run for each. I’ve seen this version less than the white.
Estimated Value: $350-$400
Year: 1987
Item: 1976-1995 Indiana University Assembly Hall Court/Floor Piece Plaque
Made by Admiral Awards out of Indianapolis, Indiana, this plaque has a rich, cherry finish, has an aerial photo of Assembly Hall under a piece of plexiglass, and is engraved at the bottom with IU’s record on the floor, a facsimile of Coach Bob Knight’s signature, and the serial number. 1,000 of these plaques were produced.
The certificate of authenticity accompanying this plaque, with the Indiana University seal, states the following:
“Clarence H. Doninger, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Indiana University, certifies that this is an actual piece of the basketball court from Assembly Hall which was used during the period from 1976 to 1995. The final game was played on this floor on March 12, 1995.”
Estimated Value: $175-$200
Year: 1995
Item: Indiana University Fieldhouse Floor Plaque
Made by Laminating Company of Indiana, Inc. based out of Indianapolis, Indiana. I’m not sure how many plaques were produced.
Aside from the photos and players from the two championship teams that played on this floor, the plaque has the following text accompanying the court piece:
“The roots of Indiana University’s national prominence developed under the guidance of Coach Everett Dean beginning in 1924. In 1928 the Hoosiers moved into their new home court, located in the IU Fieldhouse on 7th Street. For the next 32 years, IU played their home games on this court. During this period they won 6 Big Ten Championships while featuring 16 All Americans. In 1940 Branch McCracken’s team defeated Kansas to capture Indiana’s first NCAA Championship. McCracken’s Big Ten Champion “Hurryin’ Hoosiers” reached the top again in 1953 defeating Kansas once more for a second NCAA Championship.
The final game played on this court was on February 29, 1960. All American Walt Bellamy scored 24 points as Indiana handed an Ohio State team featuring Jerry Lucas, John Havlicek, and Bob Knight their only Big Ten loss of the season.”
At the bottom of the plaque below the court piece it says “This is an authentic piece of the 7th Street Fieldhouse basketball court used from 1928-1960.”
Estimated Value: $175-$200
Year: 1995
Item: 1976-1995 Indiana University Assembly Hall Court/Floor Piece Plaque
Made by Laminating Company of Indiana, Inc. based out of Indianapolis, Indiana. I’m not sure how many plaques were produced. This particular plaque is often plagued by slim bubbles in the center on either or both sides of the court piece…if you can find one that doesn’t have this issue, then you’ve got one of a few.
The photo on the plaque was taken at the tip off of the last game where this floor saw action.
Estimated Value: $175-$200
Year: 1995
Item: “Cheaney Needs 1” Plaque - Big Ten’s All-time Career Scoring Record (Signed/Autographed)
Somebody needs to remind me that silver sharpie’s suck when it comes to autographs. Cheaney signed this for me at a practice I attended before the start of the 2023-24 season. You can barely see it unless you hold it in a certain light. He even asked me if it was OK — since it didn’t show up very well — and I didn’t want to trouble him any further by signing it again. I’m probably gonna have to try again with a black sharpie somewhere down the road if I get an opportunity.
Estimated Value: $50-$60
Year: Mid-90’s
Item: Bob Knight Sports Illustrated Plaque - 1987 Indiana Hoosiers NCAA Basketball Final Four / Championship Game
Estimated Value: $25-$30
Year: ?
Item: 2/23/1985 Bob Knight Plaque with “Chair Throw” Photo (IU Indiana University Hoosiers Basketball vs. Purdue)
Estimated Value: $25-$30
Year: ?
Item: “Hoosier Huddle” Assembly Hall Center Court Plaque (IU Indiana University Hoosiers Basketball)
Estimated Value: $20-$25
Year: ?
Item: 1987 NCAA Champions Plaque (IU Indiana University Hoosiers Basketball)
Estimated Value: $25-$30
Year: Late 1980’s
Item: IU Indiana University Hoosiers Basketball Achievements Plaque
Estimated Value: $20-$25
Year: Late 1990’s