Front row, from left: team manager Oliver Jones; cheerleaders Marjorie Ent, Virginia Voss, and Patty Bohlke; and team manager Fred Busching. Middle row: Assistant Coach Clarence Kelly, Roger Schroder, Bill Jordan, Gene White, Bobby Plump, Ken Delap, Ray Craft, Coach Marvin Wood. Top row: Principal Cale Hudson, Assistant Coach Marc Combs, Ken Wendlman, Bob Wichman, Ronnie Truitt, Glenn Butte, Rollin Cutter, Bob Engle, Superintendent Willard Green
Although their accomplishments seem to have grown to almost mythical proportions throughout the years, there was a real team who lived a dream that came to life. The following is a brief account of "The Team" and the individuals who made it so special. Few basketball fans outside of Milan realize that this story of the greatest underdog in sports' history actually began a year before that championship season. In the 1952-1953 season, the Milan Indians advanced to the final four of the state bowing out in the semi-finals to South Bend Central. The nucleus of that team returned to form what is now called the '54 team.
Under the leadership of twenty-six year old coach Marvin Wood, the Indians began their rise to the top of the 751 teams entered in that year's tournament, with a record of 19-2. The mighty men of Milan then cruised through the state tournament relatively untested, until the final game against Muncie Central. The Indians were paced in scoring throughout the game by senior Ray Craft. However, Coach Wood's delay tactic game plan would place the ball in the trusty hands of another senior, Bobby Plump. Plump's famous final second shot assured the championship victory for the Indians.
Milan's 32-30 victory over Muncie Central has since been a rallying cry for every small school in the state. The "David vs. Goliath" theme was retold in the 1986 film "Hoosiers" and in books such as, A Boy, A Ball & A Dream, Five Against the Odds, Hoosier Hysteria, and Bobby Plump-Last of the Small Town Heroes.
In a final footnote to the improbable tale, the Indiana High School Athletic Association broke a long standing tradition and awarded the Trester Award for mental attitude, sportsmanship, and character to a member of the winning team, Bobby Plump. Plump's recognition seemed a fitting end to the story of a team filled with character.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1953-54 Championship Season
19-2 Regular Season
28-2 Overall
Milan 32 Muncie Central 30
http://www.milan.k12.in.us/1954.htm
