Two time Big Ten Champion Eric Anderson headlines the 38th class of inductees to be enshrined into the IU Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday night. The Illinois native passed away last December at the age of 48.
In total, six new members will be officially inducted at the annual Hall of Fame dinner. They will also be recognized at halftime of the University of Connecticut football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
Bringing the grand total enshrined into the IU Hall of Fame to 237, the other five to be inducted are:
- Kay Burrus (Field Hockey Coach, 1962-74 and 1975-76; Women’s Basketball Coach, 1963-67)
- Chris Gartner (Football, 1970-72)
- Jeff Overton (Men’s Golf, 2002-05)
- Rose Richmond (Women’s Track and Field, 2000-03)
- Donnie Thomas (Football, 1973-75)
Here is a selection of information on Anderson released by the school:
Eric Anderson (Men’s Basketball, 1989-92)
A member of two Big Ten Championship teams and the 1992 Final Four squad, Eric Anderson was one of the most prolific frontcourt players in IU basketball history. He is one of only four players in program history to score more than 1,700 points and pull down at least 800 rebounds, joining Alan Henderson, Kent Benson and Don Schlundt in accomplishing the feat. Anderson currently ranks 11th in program history in scoring (1,715 points), eighth in rebounds (825) and eighth in blocked shots (136), and IU went 101-31 (.765) during his four seasons with the program. He earned 1989 Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors, was a first-team All-Big Ten choice in 1991, and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the West Regional during IU’s 1992 Final Four run. After his IU career, he spent two seasons in the NBA the New York Knicks from 1992-94. Eric passed away last December at the age of 48.
#iubb great Eric Anderson will be inducted into the @IUHoosiers Hall of Fame tomorrow night.
Story: https://t.co/kOeZq6Qn6h pic.twitter.com/Z688mzqr4M
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) September 19, 2019
Bob Knight
“Eric was an outstanding player for us, right from the start — a four-year starter who was instrumental on some excellent, championship teams and a good friend to all of those guys who played with him.”Archie Miller
“I really appreciated how he embraced me coming to IU, communicated after games, him coming back last year to our reunion game and then this June to French Lick was awesome!”Dan Dakich
“Eric embodied everything an IU Basketball Player should be. He was an incredibly tough hard-nosed competitor. A fun engaging personality off the floor and a fantastic father that always was ready for a great time!”Calbert Cheaney
“Eric was an unbelievable player but, more importantly, an unbelievable person and friend. He always lit up a room with his energy and smile. As a basketball player, he’s one of the best I ever played with. Unselfish, caring and did whatever it took to help us win; the consummate teammate. Always a positive presence on and off the floor.”Pat Graham
“We came in as one of the most celebrated recruiting classes and Big E was Freshman of the Year the year before we got there. None of us, including Calbert himself, knew just how good Cal was or was going to be. E was our guy. He was taking over with Jay Edwards departure as our best player. With today’s egos it would be expected that there would be issues. But with Eric, there were none. No issues, no egos, no jealousy. That was just who Big E was. He was the perfect teammate and let everything just slide off his back. He took a lot of heat over his time at IU, not so much because of his play, but for others. He never complained. He knew if we won it just made things easier. He didn’t care who got the attention or the ink. One of the best teammates I ever had the privilege of playing with!!!! Better person than player at IU.”“I was at a Christmas day practice during my senior year in HS. My dad and I walk in and I see E has #32. Well that was my number in HS so I was like, damn don’t get that number next year. A few years later it comes up and I told him that story. He said that I should have said something. He was 55 in HS because it was the biggest jersey. Said numbers didn’t mean much and that he would have taken another one. Not many guys would have even thought about giving up a number. He didn’t get caught up in the little things…. ever. No ego whatsoever.”
Brian Evans
“We all know Eric was a tremendous athlete and everyone’s friend. Always a smile on his face and absolutely the most easygoing personality you’d ever encounter. Just a fabulous teammate. I’ll remember Eric for the way he approached fatherhood. I’ve never seen a person more devoted to another person in my life, as Eric was to his son, Sam. The love he displayed will stick with me the rest of my life. ”Joe Hillman
“Eric was a happy-go-lucky guy who always had a smile on his face. I remember he was a freshman when I was a senior and our lockers were next to each other and he’d always ask, “Why do we have to do this”. But he understood why, then he would laugh and he did whatever you needed to get it done. He was a guy who I think went largely underappreciated. He was really good. He kept everybody loose, especially when things might not be going well in games. He’d say ‘We’ll be ok,’ and we’ll get over it. He had a great attitude, ‘It’s no big deal.”Chris Reynolds
“He will be remembered by me as a terrific friend. Eric was cool, calm and collected and had a wonderful sense of humor. I will cherish these fond memories of him always.”Damon Bailey
“Eric was a very fun loving, laid back guy. I was very fortunate to be able to play with him for two years at IU and a year in the CBA. Eric always had a way of putting things in perspective whether that was good times or bad.”Alan Henderson
” He helped lead Indiana to 1992 Final Four. He welcomed me onto the team & usually had a smile on his face. Even let the freshman attend his ‘get togethers’ after games! Glad 2 have played with him.”Jeff Oliphant
“Great teammate, roommate and friend. It was impossible for anyone to not like being around the Big E.”
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