Where was Hoosiers filmed?
1986
City Locations
Indiana (USA)
Location Types
Gym, School, Church, Hospital
Location Styles
Americana, Manufactured Home, Cape Cod, Colonial, Rustic
About Hoosiers
The prevalent David-and-Goliath narrative in American cinema is explored with measured emotionality in Hoosiers, treading a fine line that director David Anspaugh and writer Angelo Pizzo overstep in their football films. Hoosiers, a sports drama from 1986, bears the distinct creative imprint of Anspaugh's direction and Pizzo's writing. Starring Gene Hackman, Barbara Hershey, Dennis Hopper, and Sheb Wooley in the leading roles, it premiered in 1986.
The narrative centers on a down-on-his-luck college basketball coach (Gene Hackman) who guides a high-school basketball team in a small Indiana town. Despite resentment from the townspeople and players on the team, Coach Norman Dale manages to inspire them. He leads them to victory at the state championship game with the help of assistant coach Shooter (Dennis Hopper), an alcoholic recovering from his past mistakes.
Hoosiers received critical acclaim from critics and won several awards upon its release, including two Academy Award nominations for Best Score (Jerry Goldsmith) and Best Supporting Actor (Dennis Hopper). Library of Congress preserved Hoosiers in the United States National Film Registry in 2001 because it was considered "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant."
In addition, Hoosiers garnered favorable feedback from the audience. It holds a "Certified Fresh" rating of 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, derived from the reviews of 44 critics, with an average score of 7.5 out of 10.
Hoosiers Locations
The 1986 classic film Hoosiers was shot in various locations throughout Indiana, providing a vivid and immersive backdrop for the story. New Richmond, Knighstown, St. Philip Neri Catholic School in Indianapolis, Brownsburg, Memorial Gymnasium in Lebanon, and Hinkle Fieldhouse at Butler University provided backdrops for the film.
Fans of the movie can enjoy a trip to these iconic locations and explore the same areas that helped bring the film to life. New Richmond is a small town of 333 located in Montgomery County. The downtown area provided settings for many of the town scenes throughout Hoosiers. Knighstown is home to the Hoosier Gym, the set for the home gym.
St. Philip Neri Catholic School in Indianapolis provided a setting for the away game against Cedar Knob Knights. At the same time, Brownsburg and Memorial Gymnasium in Lebanon were sites for sectional and regional on-screen games. Finally, Hinkle Fieldhouse at Butler University served as the location of the state championship game featured at the climax of Hoosiers.
Visiting these locations would be worthwhile for any fan of Hoosiers or classic sports films. Travelers can visit the Hoosier filming locations and take in some stunning views, such as those seen during nearby outdoor scenes across rolling hillsides and farmlands, an essential element to anchoring this classic movie into its real-life setting.
Norman Dale enters the high school scene in Hoosiers
7544 S Nineveh Rd, Nineveh, IN 46164, USA
Norman Dale (Gene Hackman) makes his presence known in the rustic town of Hickory, stepping into the local high school. His gaze falls upon a collection of basketball trophies, accolades of yesteryears, perched on a hallway shelf.
7544 S Nineveh Rd in Nineveh is where the team filmed the exterior and interior shots of Hickory High School. Initially built in 1906 with additions added in 1936 (gymnasium), 1950, and 1961, this building eventually saw its last high school class graduate in 1967 and partially burned down in 1994 before being demolished in 2000.
Today, fans can visit this location as it is home to a United States Postal Service building. However, its exterior features remain unchanged from when it appeared in Hoosiers.
Travel via private vehicle from Indianapolis using Interstate 65 South to reach this destination. The location is open to the public, granting you access to explore both the inside and outside of the premises.
Access Filming Locations
The meeting at the barbershop scene in Hoosiers
106 E Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204, USA
During the evening, Norman (Gene Hackman) finds himself in the company of several townsfolk at the local barbershop, peppered with inquiries. He reveals that his last coaching stint was 12 years ago in Ithaca, New York, and he has served in the Navy for the past decade.
The men freely share their thoughts on how Norman should manage the team, unanimously agreeing that Jimmy's (Maris Valainis) return to the Huskers is crucial for a victorious season. Growing weary of the relentless questioning and unsolicited advice, Norman abruptly concludes the informal gathering and departs.
106 E. Washington St. in Indianapolis, Indiana, is where the scene unfolded. Although it has had significant alterations, it remains a reminder of the beloved movie. Nowadays, this location hosts several companies, such as a clothing store and an employment agency.
The location does not mirror what the movie portrayed. Nevertheless, visitors can immerse themselves in the nearby vicinity, as the city retains the ambiance reminiscent of the film.
To reach this location, travel by car or public transportation. If you plan on driving there, use Google Maps for directions or check out Waze for traffic updates. If you opt for public transit, you have a few options, such as taking buses 35 from Eagledale or 13 from the Near Southeast area to Washington and East Streets.
Coach Dale's first practice scene in Hoosiers
Hoosier Gym, 355 N Washington St, Knightstown, IN 46148, USA
Upon entering the gym after school, Norman (Gene Hackman) finds the Huskers already engaged in their practice, led by George Walker (Chelcie Ross), a town resident he met in the barbershop. George assumes he will continue assisting, but Norman abruptly makes it clear he doesn't require assistance, causing George to leave in a huff.
The Hoosier Gym in Knightstown, Indiana, hosted the production team for the gym scene. This unique location is a museum dedicated to the movie, making it a popular destination for fans of Hoosiers and basketball. Approximately 70,000 tourists visit it every year. Visitors can explore the gym and locker room and take guided tours.
Hoosier Gym is located at 355 N Washington St in Knightstown, Indiana, roughly an hour from Indianapolis or half an hour from Muncie. Take Interstate 70 E from downtown Indianapolis and IN-3 S and S Greensboro Pike from Muncie.
The “town meeting” church scene in Hoosiers
Elizaville Christian Church, 5745 N 500 E, Lebanon, IN 46052, USA
At the town gathering that evening, held at the church, Norman (Gene Hackman) steps up and delivers a concise defense of himself. Following him, Myra (Barbara Hershey) approaches the pulpit, ready to share her findings about the coach, but suddenly decides against it.
Overcome with emotion, she tells the assembly that letting him go would be an error. Post the residents' vote on Norman's dismissal, as George (Chelcie Ross) is tallying the votes, Jimmy (Maris Valainis) unexpectedly enters the church. He declares his decision to rejoin the team, but under the condition that Norman remains.
Elizaville Christian Church in Lebanon, Indiana, just northwest of Indianapolis, is where the scene came to life. The church is set on a quiet country road among rolling green hills and tall pine trees, providing an idyllic setting for visitors looking for peace and tranquility away from city life. The church is an architectural beauty with its clapboard siding and white steeple above its roofline.
The place is open to visitors, which means you can have a good time during your visit. If you are traveling from Indianapolis, take Interstate 65 North. Public transportation is available from Indianapolis to Lebanon.
Film Shoot Locations Directory
Norman visits Shooter at the hospital scene in Hoosiers
Wishard Memorial Hospital, 1050 Wishard Blvd # R2200, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
The moment in Hoosiers, when Norman (Gene Hackman) and Everett (David Neidorf) discover Shooter (Dennis Hopper) in the snow-laden forest, is an impactful scene. After Shooter goes missing following his ejection from the sectional, Norman and Everett set out to find him. They stumble upon him unconscious amidst the snowy woods. Shortly after, Shooter gets admitted to the alcohol recovery unit, where he receives a visit from Norman.
Wishard Memorial Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana, provided the setting for the hospital scenes. This building later paved the way for the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital, which opened its doors in 2013. While filming, the crew built a faux entrance based on pictures of the original facade of Wishard Memorial Hospital.
While the structure featured in the movie is no longer standing, the ambiance is still worth experiencing. It is accessible by both car and public transportation. The nearest public transit stop is the Indiana Ave & 10th St bus station. To reach there from downtown Indianapolis, you can board buses number 3, 10, or 37.
Jimmy Chitwood puts up the winning basket scene in Hoosiers
Hinkle Fieldhouse, 510 W 49th St, Indianapolis, IN 46208, USA
Norman (Gene Hackman) instructs his team that they'll use Jimmy (Maris Valainis) as a distraction, as the Bears will anticipate him to make the final shot, while Merle (Kent Poole) tries for the last basket. The team stays silent until Jimmy confidently asserts, "I'll make it."
Initially hesitant, Norman acknowledges that giving Jimmy Hickory's final scoring opportunity is right. The game resumes, and with just 2 seconds remaining, Jimmy makes his shot, which effortlessly swishes through the net. It triggered an explosion of joy among the Hickory fans, who flooded onto the court in celebration.
Hinkle Fieldhouse on Butler University's campus in Indianapolis, Indiana, is where the team filmed the scene. Originally named Butler Fieldhouse upon its construction in 1928, the 15,000-seat arena was the most significant basketball gymnasium in the United States until 1950.
It was renamed Hinkle Fieldhouse after legendary Butler coach Tony Hinkle, who coached at Butler for 41 seasons. Hinkle Fieldhouse remains an iconic college basketball venue today and continues to host various events throughout the year, including concerts, banquets, tournaments, and other public gatherings.
To get to Hinkle Fieldhouse, fly into Indianapolis International Airport or take Amtrak to Union Station in downtown Indianapolis, about six miles away. Once there, take a taxi or public transportation, such as IndyGo buses, to Butler University.
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Conclusion
Hoosiers is an inspiring movie with a great script and superb performances. The film captures the highs and lows of the team’s journey with solid emotion and realism. Gene Hackman’s performance is nuanced and realistic, conveying his passion for coaching and his struggles to stay connected with the players. The other actors also deliver strong performances that capture their characters’ complexities while staying true to the real-life counterparts they were inspired by.
The screenplay is also very well written and captures the drama between players and coaches in a relatable manner. Angelo Pizzo, the writer of the original script, is well-acquainted with small-town sports dynamics. He understands the intricacies of high school politics and the overconfidence of school boards and parent groups, who often believe they have superior basketball knowledge than the coach.
Hoosiers impacted movies through its realism, vintage feel, and message about resilience in overcoming adversity even when all hope seems lost. While the movie's climax may not astonish those familiar with sports films, Hoosiers casts a spell that makes us deeply invested in the team's fate and those relying on its success.
The way it intertwines athletics and human nature brings to mind another remarkable Indiana sports film, Breaking Away. In conclusion, Hoosiers (1986) is an inspirational movie worth watching due to its script, performances by all actors involved, vintage feel, and inspiring message about resilience.