Hoosier Hysteria: Explore Lebanon’s Basketball Legacy and Local Charm

March is here, and with it comes the excitement of March Madness. While the NCAA tournament captures the attention of basketball fans nationwide, for Hoosiers, basketball is more than just a sport—it’s a way of life. Nowhere is this passion more evident than in Boone County, Indiana, where a rich basketball history continues to shape the local community today.

Hoosier Hysteria is a term that captures the fervor surrounding basketball in Indiana. In Boone County, it’s not just about winning games—it’s about pride, tradition, and the unity that basketball fosters within the community. From the early days of pickup games to state championships, basketball has long been the heartbeat of this region.

A standout example of this tradition is Lebanon’s Memory Hall Gym. Built in the 1930s, the gym hosted Lebanon High School basketball games into the 1960s, including during the high school playing days of basketball legend Rick Mount. The gym also gained internation fame in the iconic movie Hoosiers. The scenes filmed here have immortalized the gym as a key landmark in Indiana’s basketball history, making it a must-visit for fans of the sport and the film alike.

Memory Hall continues to serve as a symbol of the region’s love for the game. The venue has witnessed some of Boone County’s most memorable basketball moments, and its floors have inspired countless young athletes to dream of greatness. It’s not just a building; it’s a living piece of the county’s basketball legacy.

In 2020, the Heart of Lebanon launched the Alley-Oop project, revitalizing a previously vacated alley on the north side of Courthouse Square. The goal of the project was to create an engaging public space that expanded the pedestrian network and celebrated the community’s rich history, particularly its basketball legacy. Standing in the alley, visitors can look north toward Memory Hall Gym, a historic venue that hosted the rebirth of Lebanon basketball from 1962-1966, spearheaded by Rick Mount. The gym was also the site of Lebanon’s early basketball glory, with the town winning three state titles in 1912, 1917, and 1918. The Alley-Oop project beautifully ties this history together, creating a vibrant space for the community to honor its basketball roots.

This March, as you cheer on your favorite teams, take a moment to reflect on the legacy of places like Memory Hall. From its role in Hoosiers to its ongoing influence on local basketball culture, Boone County’s passion for the game is a living testament to the spirit of Hoosier Hysteria. Make it a day of visiting Lebanon to take in this rich history, and enjoy shopping and dining while you’re there.