Limestone Ledger

BLOOMINGTON, IN — Indiana University Athletics announced that a long-awaited bronze statue of legendary basketball coach Bob Knight will be installed outside Assembly Hall capturing the coach in what administrators call his most recognizable form.

The statue, according to early design mockups, depicts Knight mid-eruption, jaw clenched, eyes bulging, one hand raised skyward while the other is lifting a panicked and helpless Neil Reed several inches off the ground by his neck.

“We really wanted something that felt alive, even brutal,” said IU Athletic Director Scott Dolson, while gesturing to a 12-foot clay model of Knight frozen in visible rage. “You walk by and you can almost feel the wrath.”

University officials confirmed the sculpture committee debated several iconic poses before settling on the ‘The Choke.’

Finalists included: The Chair Toss; The Vein-Popping Aneurysm Timeout Tirade; The Five Finger Death Punch of Accountability; and The ‘I Will Kill You’ Red-Faced Glare.

Ultimately, the committee decided ‘The Choke’ conveyed both his competitive fire and his hands-on coaching philosophy.

A small plaque beneath the statue will reportedly read:

“Robert Montgomery Knight (1940–2023)
Taught Discipline. Demanded Excellence.
Grip Strength: Elite.

Athletics administrators insist the statue is meant to capture the full complexity of a transformative figure, though critics have suggested the sculpture may unintentionally double as a cautionary tale.

One IU alum standing outside Assembly Hall Tuesday squinted at the rendering and nodded slowly.

“I mean… you can’t say it’s inaccurate.”

The statue is expected to weigh approximately 8,000 pounds and will reportedly be anchored with reinforced concrete in case the energy feels “too real.”

Officials have also confirmed that, in keeping with historical authenticity, the sculpture will be positioned at a slight forward lean as if perpetually advancing toward an unseen referee.

When asked whether the statue might be controversial, one athletics representative shrugged.

“Look,” he said. “If you’re going to immortalize the man, you might as well commit.”

A ribbon-cutting ceremony is tentatively scheduled for next fall. Organizers say guests will be encouraged to maintain appropriate spacing to ensure public safety.