—For the Glory of Old IU—
Martha the Mop Lady’s Hall-owed Relics
Martha’s been a great caretaker of the Hall for many years and over that time, she’s uncovered some pretty unique memorabilia. In many cases, there’s little precedent to the sale of such items, so it’s hard to place a value on them. Team issued and game used items are practically priceless to me, if there is such a thing. Let’s McCracken the vault to see what she’s found!
Do you have a rare piece of IU memorabilia that you would like to feature here? If so, send me a message!
Item: Indiana Hoosiers Game Used Jersey - Jim Thomas
This is a game used home jersey worn by Jim Thomas, key member of the 1981 National Championship team. Jersey is a size 40 and made by Medalist Sand-Knit.
Estimated Value: $1000
Year: 1979-1983
Item: 2012-13 Indiana Hoosiers Game Used Jersey - Yogi Ferrell
Estimated Value: $1,250 - $1,500
Year: 2013
Item: Team Issued / Game Worn 2001-02 IU Indiana University Hoosiers Basketball Shooting Shirt / Pre-game Warmup (Tom Coverdale)
Bearing the 3 written in Sharpie, manufactured by Nike, and made in the USA, this shooting shirt is believed to have belonged to Tom Coverdale. Size XL and fits like a garbage bag, just like in the photo seen above from the team in the 2002 championship game.
Estimated Value: $300-$400
Year: 2001-02
Item: Game Used Road Jersey circa 2004-2006 (Patrick Ewing, Jr. / D.J. White?)
The person I bought this from said this jersey was purchased at a charity auction and he believed it was worn by D.J. White. Unfortunately, there’s no paperwork available to substantiate the claim. This jersey is definitely team issued — and I assume game used. Considering the size, this road jersey was likely worn by Patrick Ewing, Jr. before he switched to #0…in my personal opinion. The jersey is a size 44 and was made by Adidas in Berlin, Wisconsin.
Estimated Value: $400
Year: 2004 - 2005
Item: Game Used Road Jersey circa 2005-2006 (Marco Killingsworth)
This road jersey was likely worn by Marco Killingsworth. The jersey is a size 50 and was made by Adidas in Berlin, Wisconsin.
Estimated Value: $300-$400
Year: 2005 - 2006
Item: IU Indiana University Hoosiers Basketball Team Issued Road Jersey #1 circa 2006-2008
It’s difficult to determine who this belonged to, but I acquired this at the same time as two other similar road jerseys (different number, of course). Jerseys worn during this era were a little on the “baggy” side compared to today, so I have to take that into consideration. I’m pretty confident the #2 (Size 56) jersey featured on this page belonged to DeAndre Thomas. At 295 lbs, there’s no one else that could have worn a Size 56 jersey. If that’s true, then this jersey could have been issued to Armon Bassett — but it still seems like it would be a little large for him. No way this belonged to Mike Santa from the 2008-09 squad. This jersey was made by Adidas in Berlin, Wisconsin, size 46.
Estimated Value: $250-$300
Year: 2006 - 2008
Item: IU Indiana University Hoosiers Basketball Team Issued Road Jersey #2 circa 2006-2008
I’m pretty confident the #2 (Size 56) jersey featured here belonged to DeAndre Thomas, member of the 2007-08 basketball team. At 6’-8”, 295 lbs, there’s no one else that could have worn a jersey of this size. This jersey was made by Adidas in Berlin, Wisconsin, size 56.
Estimated Value: $250-$300
Year: 2006 - 2008
Item: IU Indiana University Hoosiers Basketball Team Issued Road Jersey #23 circa 2006-2008
If I stick with the theme here — considering one of the jerseys I acquired along with this jersey and one other belonged to DeAndre Thomas, it’s possible this jersey could have been issued to Eric Gordon (who was 6’-4”, 215 lbs; 2007-08). I came across an auction for a game-used NBA jersey worn by Gordon, which is also a size 48. Many game photos I’ve seen from the 2007-08 season have a US flag sewn on the chest, although I have seen a limited number of player photos without the patch. It’s also possible this could have been issued to Sean Kline (6’-8”, 235lbs; 2005-06). This jersey was made by Adidas in Berlin, Wisconsin, size 48.
Estimated Value: $250-$300 (and perhaps a lot more!)
Year: 2006 - 2008
Item: IU Indiana University Hoosiers Basketball Game Worn Shoes (Race Thompson)
These shoes were worn in the Hoosiers 96-72 victory over Elon at Assembly Hall on December 30, 2022. Thompson led all scorers with 18 points and tacked on 11 boards. They also appear to have been worn against Kennesaw State on December 23, 2022. Indiana won 69-55, with Thompson scoring 4 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in 38 minutes of action. There may be some other games where these were worn, as well. Thompson signed both shoes. Size 14.
Estimated Value: $200-$250
Year: 2021-2023
Item: IU Indiana University Hoosiers Basketball Game Worn Shorts (Home)
Not sure of the year or whether they saw game action, but these are team issued shorts. No number marked on the inside. Size 40 and made in Berlin, Wisconsin.
Estimated Value: $125-$150
Year: ?
Item: IU Indiana University Hoosiers Basketball Game Worn Shorts (Road / Away)
Again, not sure of the year or whether they saw game action, but these are team issued shorts. Marked #11 on the inside. Devonte Green? Yogi Ferrell? Daniel Moore? Only time will tell. Size 34 and made in Berlin, Wisconsin.
Estimated Value: $125-$150
Year: ?
Item: IU Indiana University Hoosiers Basketball Team Issued Practice Jersey #3 (Charlie Miller; circa 1997-98)
I believe this is a team issued practice jersey issued to Charlie Miller. Size XXL
Estimated Value: $200-$250
Year: 1997 - 1998
Item: IU Indiana University Hoosiers Basketball Team Issued Practice Jersey
Made in Berlin, Wisconsin. Size 46.
Estimated Value: $150
Year: ???
Item: IU Indiana University Hoosiers Basketball Team Issued Practice Jersey (Race Thompson)
This practice jersey was issued and worn by Race Thompson. He signed the jersey, as well.
Estimated Value: $200-$225
Year: 2021-2023
Item: The “Legends” Ball
I like to call this the “Legends” ball, considering it graces the signatures of so many Hoosier hardwood heroes. This ball currently has 24 sigs on it: Bob Knight, Scott May, Quinn Buckner, Bobby Wilkerson, Ray Tolbert, Landon Turner, Steve Ahfeld, Steve Green, John Laskowski, George McGinnis, Glen Grunwald, Steve Downing, Stew Robinson, Mike Woodson, Lyndon Jones, John Kamstra, Chuck Marlowe, Jim Crews, Jim Thomas, Greg Graham, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Jay Edwards, Calbert Cheaney, and Christian Watford.
My plan is to continue to add a signature here and there of former and current IU studs.
Estimated Value: $600-$750
Year: Various
Item: The “Legends” Ball #2
I didn’t think I’d come across “Legends Ball #2”, but never say never! This ball currently has 10 sigs on it: Landon Turner, Kent Benson, George McGinnis, Jim Rayl, Scott May, Archie Dees, Ted Kitchel, Steve Green, Bobby Leonard, Mike Woodson, and Randy Wittman. 2023 birthday gift from my parents!
Estimated Value: $300-$400
Year: Various
Item: 1986 Indiana University Hoosiers Commemorative Paint Ball Basketball (Fully Signed)
“Paint balls” are extremely rare — and even more rare are those signed the team. This ball is full signed by the 1986-87 NCAA National Championship team, including Coach Bob Knight.
Estimated Value: $1,250 - $1,500
Year: 1986-87
Item: Branch McCracken Signed Photos
The “Big Bear” didn’t sign a lot of stuff, so when you come across something bearing his signature, you might not want to pass it up. In all the years I have been collecting, I’ve only seen a handful of signed items. The first item pictured is from an amazing collection of 1950s player autographs I was fortunate to acquire. The second item pictured is a page taken from a Ball State yearbook, the Orient, where Branch served as the head coach from 1930-38. In this collage, it’s paired with a game program from 1955 against Ohio University.
Estimated Value: $600-$750 (1950’s photo); $500 (1930’s photo)
Year: ca. 1950s / ca. 1935
Item: Indiana Basketball 1st Edition Book Signed/Autographed by Branch McCracken (1955)
Estimated Value: $500 - $600
Year: ca. 1955
Item: Don Schlundt Signed Photo & GPC
Don Schlundt, leader of the 1953 championship team alongside Bob “Slick” Leonard, still ranks as one of IU’s all-time leading scorers. Don’s signature is super-rare and these are two of the only examples I’ve come across in many years of collecting. The first item pictured is from an amazing collection of 1950s individually signed/autographed player press photos I was fortunate to acquire. The second item pictured is his signature on a government post card (GPC) and is postmarked from Bloomington, Indiana in late 1953. It was common for star players from college and professional sports teams to be sent a GPC by mail for their autograph. It’s paired with an authentic press photo used by a newspaper publisher in 1955.
Estimated Value: $250-$300 (1950’s photo); $200-$250 (GPC)
Year: 1953
Item: Keith Smart 1988 Chevrolet Player of the Game Plaque
These plaques are rare! On March 12, 1988, in the last game of the Big Ten Conference and regular season, Keith Smart led Indiana with 32 points as Indiana blew out Iowa 116-89, setting a new Assembly Hall team scoring record for points in a game.
Estimated Value: $250-$300
Year: 1988
Item: 1996 Pre-season NIT Championship Banner
If you remember watching this game, Andrae Patterson torched Duke for 39 points as the teacher got the best of the student in a game of arguably basketball’s two greatest minds. Indiana beat Duke 85-69 to claim the pre-season NIT title. Only one of these in existence that I’m aware of. This embroidered, thick nylon banner measures 45” x 60”.
Estimated Value: $200-$250
Year: 1996
Item: 1992 Hoosier Classic Championship Trophy
Given to players, coaches, and staff members, team issued trophies and awards of any kind are seldom available for purchase. This trophy is from one of my favorite team’s growing up, the 1992-93 squad…so this has become one of my most cherished pieces of memorabilia. If we had a healthy Alan Henderson, I’m quite certain there would be another banner hanging in the Hall.
Estimated Value: $400-$500
Year: 1992
Item: 1988 Indiana Classic Championship Trophy
Indiana defeated VCU 85-68 on the first day of the Indiana Classic and then ousted Santa Clara 64-49 to capture the championship.
Estimated Value: $300-$400
Year: 1988-89 Season
Item: 1985 Bob Knight Chair Throw Autographed Photo
While not uncommon to find this iconic photo signed by Coach Knight, I can’t say that I’ve seen him pen this “For the ref” on any other occasion. Perhaps the only rarer version might read “For the lady on the baseline”. On a show with David Letterman, Knight jokingly talked about how a lady that reminded him of his grandmother was asking him for his chair if he was going to continue to be up like he had been most of the game…and he obliged by tossing her the chair. This photo has been authenticated by Steiner Sports.
Estimated Value: $150
Year: 1985
Item: 1990 Indiana Classic Championship Watch
This is a cool piece…players, coaches, and staff were awarded these watches. Indiana defeated Niagara 101-64 in the first game and San Diego 91-64 on the following day to win the tournament. Calbert Cheaney scored 25 points en route to garnering the tournament’s MVP award. This Indiana team would go on to advance to the Sweet 16 and bow out against Kansas in the regional semifinal game.
Estimated Value: $200
Year: 1990-91
Item: 1980 Mideast Regional Championship Plaque
1979-80 NCAA Championship Mideast Regional plaque issued to Steve Risley. Isiah Thomas scored 30 points and Mike Woodson added 14, but Indiana fell to Purdue 76-69 in the regional semifinal on March 13, 1980 in Rupp Arena.
Estimated Value: $300-$400
Year: 1980
Item: Oversized 1987 NCAA Championship Commemorative Ring
It won’t fit my finger, but this ring is incredibly detailed. I believe this was made as part of the Balfour Team Collection in the late 90’s or early 2000’s. I don’t know much about the provenance of it, but it is very heavy and finely crafted.
Estimated Value: $200-$250
Year: 1987
Item: 1987 NCAA Final Four Chair
This is a game used chair from the New Orleans Superdome, where my beloved Hoosiers won their fifth national title. Hopefully, some Smartass took a seat in this particular chair during the game. One of my favorite pieces of memorabilia!
Estimated Value: $1000
Year: 1987
Item: 2002 NCAA Basketball Final Four Bench Chair
I’ve long coveted this chair, having had an opportunity to purchase it at one other time and passed in favor of the 1987 chair I’ve also featured here. I was fortunate to come across one again and didn’t pass it up this time.
Estimated Value: $400-$500
Year: 2001-02 Season
Item: Assembly Hall Press / Scorer’s Table
Straight from Assembly Hall, this is a section of the press / scorer’s table that lined the sideline and I believe was last used during the 2002 basketball season. My section would have been on end of the left side running from left to right. I was able to find video footage of this captured during a game in 2002 — check out this link and look at 37:13 mark of the video. There were likely 8-10 sections spanning the full length of the court. Signed by Bob Hammel in two places.
Estimated Value: Priceless to me (maybe $1000-$1500 to you)
Year: Last used in 2002
Item: 1981 NCAA Championship Commemorative Basketball
Voit branded, regulation size “paint ball” commemorating the 1981 Big Ten Champs and NCAA Championship team. These painted basketball’s are highly sought after by collector’s, not only for their nostalgic appeal but also because of their rarity. It is my understanding they were made by someone on the Bloomington campus during the 70’s/80’s and presented to coaches, staff, and dignitaries.
Estimated Value: $500-$600
Year: 1981
Item: 1933 Everett Dean Letter to Yankees on IU Letterhead
You might not know it, but Everett Dean not only coached basketball, but also baseball. He was the head coach of both at IU from 1924-38. Signed by Dean, the letter featured here is a letter he wrote to the Yankees in an effort to get their scouts to take a look at a couple of his players. He is the only coach to be inducted both the Naismith Hall of Fame and the College Baseball Hall of Fame. Another fun fact — he was Indiana’s first All-American in basketball.
Estimated Value: $75-$100
Year: 1933
Item: 1973 NCAA Basketball Final Four Player/Coach Watch
I can’t begin to describe my excitement and how fortunate I was to add this amazing and rare piece of memorabilia to my collection. These ceremonious gifts don’t often leave the hands of those who earned them. Now….I couldn’t tell you which player or coach received this watch during the NCAA Final Four, and personally I don’t care, but I can tell you that every player and coach on the Indiana Hoosier staff and roster would have received a watch exactly like this. The watch, made by Bulova, has a bezel made of heavy gold electroplate and a back made of 10k rolled gold plate. It’s obviously been worn, but is still in good shape. It doesn’t have the original band, but the completist in me will find a period accurate band for either the Accutron model itself or another comparable Bulova watch. For now, I’ll just pretend that somehow I’ve ended up with Coach Knight’s or Steve Downing’s watch.
I’ve only seen a couple of other watches identical to this watch available for sale over the past several years and they sold in the neighborhood of $1,250 or more.
Estimated Value: $1000-$1500
Year: 1973
Item: 1993 Indiana Classic Player/Coach Garment Bag
Not necessarily the best kind of artifact to add to a collector’s collection because of its bulky shape and dimensions (SIZE DOES MATTER!), but a neat and rare piece of memorabilia, nonetheless. This is a full-sized garment bag that would have been presented to players/coaches participating in the tournament — and possibly to only the champions. Made by Buck’s Bags.
Estimated Value: $30-$40
Year: 1993-94 Season
Item: 1987 NCAA Championship Basketball Player/Coach Watch
Estimated Value: $300-$400
Year: 1987
Item: Indiana Hoosiers Basketball Team Issued Candy Stripe Warmup Pants
Made by Medalist Sand-Knit, one thing is for certain — these are team-issued and from the 1980’s. If the number here was really written in by the owner or by whomever was in charge of issuing these to the players, another thing would be certain — the only player to wear #3 in this time period was Jay Edwards. From what I’ve seen written and documented elsewhere, Indiana wore Medalist Sand-Knit through the 1986-87 season before switching to Champion. I can’t speak intelligently to whether or not this change applied to the warm-ups, as well.
Estimated Value: $300-$400
Year: 1987-88 Season?
Item: Jimmy Rayl Single-Game Scoring Record Basketball Ticket Stub (56 points; Indiana University Hoosiers vs. Michigan State - February 23, 1963)
This rare ticket stub represents Jimmy Rayl’s second 56 point performance IU’s New Field House. Arguably, Rayl — aka the Splendid Splinter — was one of the most prolific shooters in the history of both Indiana high school and Indiana University basketball.
What’s amazing about his two record setting performances is that not only did Rayl play in an era with no 3-point shot, but the game was also somewhat shorter because the clock wasn’t stopped when the ball was out of bounds. Even more amazing…after racking up 32 points by halftime, and with Indiana was leading handily in the waning minutes of the game, McCracken took Rayl out of the game, much to the chagrin of Indiana fans. So much so, in fact, they booed Coach McCracken for it.
On top of all of that, it’s crazy to think this might not have even happened in the first place. Rayl had walked out of practice only a couple of days earlier in the week and as he was leaving, McCracken told him if he left he would never play at IU again. It took a phone call from a friend of Rayl’s, who was a sports writer, and an apology at practice to the team to rejoin the Hoosiers.
Estimated Value: $75-$100
Year: 1962-63 Season
Item: 1976 IU Indiana University Hoosiers Signed/Autographed Print
This rare print features a collection of signatures of nearly all members of the undefeated NCAA Basketball National Championship team. Signed/autographed by Jim Crews, Jim Roberson, Tom Abernethy, Kent Benson, Wayne Radford, Quinn Buckner, Bobby Wilkerson, Scott May, and Scott Eels. Missing Bob Bender, Rich Valavicius, Jim Wisman, and Mark Haymore.
Estimated Value: $250-$300
Year: 1975-76 Season
Item: 1928-29 IU Indiana University New Field House Basketball Pocket Schedule
I have a chunk of the original floor, so this piece will ultimately be married to it once my project is complete. It’s hard to believe this item is nearly 100 years old and in this condition. The schedule is immaculate.
Estimated Value: $100-$150
Year: 1928-29 Season
Item: Keith Smart “The Shot” Limited Edition Serigraph by Rick Rush
Signed by artist Rick Rush, this limited edition serigraph is serial number #250 / 250. As I understand it, serigraphs are a form of silk screen painting.
Interestingly, I found this on the artist’s website and it says the edition is limited to 425. LINK
Estimated Value: $1000-$2000
Year: 1988
Item: IU Indiana University Hoosiers Basketball Contracts / Agreements with Ohio State
These are interesting pieces to me. These two documents represent original contracts between Indiana University and Ohio State to play home and away basketball games on the dates specified, which are for the 1951 and 1954 seasons. It’s difficult to gauge a value on these because of their uniqueness.
Both of these documents are signed by Paul “Pooch” Harrell, who was inducted into the IU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1983. Harrell was a star athlete on the football and baseball teams in the late 20’s, earning all-Big Ten honors. After his playing days were over, he continued to support the university, having worked a number of positions in the athletics department ultimately becoming the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at IU in 1948. It was during this time that he might have left his most important legacy. He led the crafting of a comprehensive, modern athletic facilities complex which included a golf course and what is now both Memorial Stadium and Assembly Hall.
Estimated Value: $100-$200 each
Year: 1951 & 1954