Where Did Indiana’s Greatest Athletes Go to College?
Indiana is known for basketball, but our sports legacy runs way deeper. Across football, baseball, racing, and beyond, Hoosier athletes have made their mark on the national stage. But before they were pros, they were student-athletes—training, competing, and building the skills that made them stars.
So where did Indiana’s best athletes go to college? Let’s take a look at some of the biggest names and the campuses where they got their start.
Basketball Stars: Hoosier Hoops Goes National
Larry Bird — Indiana State University
French Lick’s finest became a legend at Indiana State, leading the Sycamores to the 1979 NCAA Championship game against Magic Johnson’s Michigan State. The game—and Bird’s small-town roots—made college basketball history.
George McGinnis — Indiana University
Before tearing up the ABA and NBA, McGinnis was a one-man wrecking crew at IU. His dominant play helped cement Indiana’s reputation as a basketball powerhouse.
Gordon Hayward — Butler University
Born in Brownsburg, Hayward led Butler to back-to-back Final Four appearances. His near-miss buzzer-beater in the 2010 championship game is still one of college basketball’s greatest "what if" moments.
The Best NCAA Tournament Game I Ever Saw: What if Gordon Hayward made the shot? - The Athletic
Jaden Ivey — Purdue University
One of Indiana’s modern NBA stars, Ivey made his mark at Purdue before becoming a lottery pick. He’s part of a new wave of Hoosier hoopers lighting up the league.
Want to see how today’s Indiana-born NBA players stack up? Check out our full 2024 NBA player rankings from Indiana. You might be surprised who tops the list this year.
🎥 And speaking of Indiana basketball icons…
Nate recently ranked his top 5 Hoosier athletes of all time—on the spot. No prep, no do-overs. Just vibes, strong opinions, and one slightly controversial pick.
Watch the clip below to see where Larry Bird, Caitlin Clark, Tyrese Haliburton, and Reggie Miller landed on Nate’s all-time list.
Football Legends: From Friday Night Lights to College Gridirons
Rod Woodson — Purdue University
This Fort Wayne native became a shutdown cornerback at Purdue before earning a Hall of Fame NFL career. Woodson’s speed and football IQ made him a star in the Big Ten and beyond.
Tracy Porter — Indiana University
Porter, from Port Allen, Louisiana, played his college ball at IU. But he earned Hoosier hearts forever when his pick-six sealed the Saints’ first Super Bowl win—putting an Indiana alum at the center of football history.
IU Football - Indiana Daily Student
Jaylon Smith — University of Notre Dame
A Fort Wayne Bishop Luers grad, Smith was a standout linebacker for Notre Dame. Despite a devastating injury in his final college game, he worked his way to an inspiring NFL career.
Racing Royalty: The Unsung Athletes of Indiana
Tony Stewart — Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
Columbus native Tony Stewart may be known for NASCAR, but he briefly attended IUPUI before going full throttle into professional racing. He’s since won championships in IndyCar and NASCAR, earning him a spot among Indiana’s greatest.
Sarah Fisher — Butler University (briefly)
This trailblazing female IndyCar driver hails from Commercial Point, Ohio, but made her mark in Indiana racing circuits—and attended Butler University before her racing career took off.
Baseball and Olympic Talent
Scott Rolen — Indiana University (briefly)
Rolen, from Jasper, Indiana, committed to IU before heading straight to Major League Baseball. He went on to have a Hall of Fame career with teams like the Cardinals and Phillies.
Lilly King — Indiana University
Olympic gold medalist and breaststroke specialist Lilly King dominated the NCAA swimming scene at IU, setting multiple records before shining on the world stage.
⚾ Miles Teller’s College Connection to Indiana Sports? Sort Of.
While not an athlete himself, actor Miles Teller recently brought his sports-loving energy to Indiana University Bloomington. His beverage company, The Finnish Long Drink, hosted a bar takeover in Bloomington—mixing celebrity culture and Hoosier sports fandom on one unforgettable night. Not a bad assist from Hollywood to the Indiana bar scene.
Quick Q&A: Hoosier Athlete Origins
Which Indiana college has produced the most pro athletes?
Indiana University and Purdue are neck and neck, producing NBA stars, NFL players, and Olympians. Notre Dame also claims many football greats.
Did Larry Bird go to IU?
Nope—he famously chose Indiana State University, turning the Sycamores into a national basketball powerhouse in 1979.
Who are the top NBA players from Indiana today?
Desmond Bane, Darius Garland, and Jaden Ivey lead the way for Indiana-born NBA talent. See the full ranking of Indiana NBA players here.
Indiana: A Launchpad for Sports Greatness
From small-town high schools to packed college arenas, Indiana has shaped some of the world’s most iconic athletes. Whether they stayed home or headed to a powerhouse program elsewhere, one thing’s clear—the Hoosier work ethic travels well.
Who’s your favorite Indiana athlete? Share your pick and let’s celebrate the next generation of Hoosier sports legends.
Where Did Indiana’s Greatest Athletes Go to College?
Indiana is known for basketball, but our sports legacy runs way deeper. Across football, baseball, racing, and beyond, Hoosier athletes have made their mark on the national stage. But before they were pros, they were student-athletes—training, competing, and building the skills that made them stars.
So where did Indiana’s best athletes go to college? Let’s take a look at some of the biggest names and the campuses where they got their start.
Basketball Stars: Hoosier Hoops Goes National
Larry Bird — Indiana State University
French Lick’s finest became a legend at Indiana State, leading the Sycamores to the 1979 NCAA Championship game against Magic Johnson’s Michigan State. The game—and Bird’s small-town roots—made college basketball history.
George McGinnis — Indiana University
Before tearing up the ABA and NBA, McGinnis was a one-man wrecking crew at IU. His dominant play helped cement Indiana’s reputation as a basketball powerhouse.
Gordon Hayward — Butler University
Born in Brownsburg, Hayward led Butler to back-to-back Final Four appearances. His near-miss buzzer-beater in the 2010 championship game is still one of college basketball’s greatest "what if" moments.
The Best NCAA Tournament Game I Ever Saw: What if Gordon Hayward made the shot? - The Athletic
Jaden Ivey — Purdue University
One of Indiana’s modern NBA stars, Ivey made his mark at Purdue before becoming a lottery pick. He’s part of a new wave of Hoosier hoopers lighting up the league.
Want to see how today’s Indiana-born NBA players stack up? Check out our full 2024 NBA player rankings from Indiana. You might be surprised who tops the list this year.
🎥 And speaking of Indiana basketball icons…
Nate recently ranked his top 5 Hoosier athletes of all time—on the spot. No prep, no do-overs. Just vibes, strong opinions, and one slightly controversial pick.
Watch the clip below to see where Larry Bird, Caitlin Clark, Tyrese Haliburton, and Reggie Miller landed on Nate’s all-time list.
Football Legends: From Friday Night Lights to College Gridirons
Rod Woodson — Purdue University
This Fort Wayne native became a shutdown cornerback at Purdue before earning a Hall of Fame NFL career. Woodson’s speed and football IQ made him a star in the Big Ten and beyond.
Tracy Porter — Indiana University
Porter, from Port Allen, Louisiana, played his college ball at IU. But he earned Hoosier hearts forever when his pick-six sealed the Saints’ first Super Bowl win—putting an Indiana alum at the center of football history.
IU Football - Indiana Daily Student
Jaylon Smith — University of Notre Dame
A Fort Wayne Bishop Luers grad, Smith was a standout linebacker for Notre Dame. Despite a devastating injury in his final college game, he worked his way to an inspiring NFL career.
Racing Royalty: The Unsung Athletes of Indiana
Tony Stewart — Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
Columbus native Tony Stewart may be known for NASCAR, but he briefly attended IUPUI before going full throttle into professional racing. He’s since won championships in IndyCar and NASCAR, earning him a spot among Indiana’s greatest.
Sarah Fisher — Butler University (briefly)
This trailblazing female IndyCar driver hails from Commercial Point, Ohio, but made her mark in Indiana racing circuits—and attended Butler University before her racing career took off.
Baseball and Olympic Talent
Scott Rolen — Indiana University (briefly)
Rolen, from Jasper, Indiana, committed to IU before heading straight to Major League Baseball. He went on to have a Hall of Fame career with teams like the Cardinals and Phillies.
Lilly King — Indiana University
Olympic gold medalist and breaststroke specialist Lilly King dominated the NCAA swimming scene at IU, setting multiple records before shining on the world stage.
⚾ Miles Teller’s College Connection to Indiana Sports? Sort Of.
While not an athlete himself, actor Miles Teller recently brought his sports-loving energy to Indiana University Bloomington. His beverage company, The Finnish Long Drink, hosted a bar takeover in Bloomington—mixing celebrity culture and Hoosier sports fandom on one unforgettable night. Not a bad assist from Hollywood to the Indiana bar scene.
Quick Q&A: Hoosier Athlete Origins
Which Indiana college has produced the most pro athletes?
Indiana University and Purdue are neck and neck, producing NBA stars, NFL players, and Olympians. Notre Dame also claims many football greats.
Did Larry Bird go to IU?
Nope—he famously chose Indiana State University, turning the Sycamores into a national basketball powerhouse in 1979.
Who are the top NBA players from Indiana today?
Desmond Bane, Darius Garland, and Jaden Ivey lead the way for Indiana-born NBA talent. See the full ranking of Indiana NBA players here.
Indiana: A Launchpad for Sports Greatness
From small-town high schools to packed college arenas, Indiana has shaped some of the world’s most iconic athletes. Whether they stayed home or headed to a powerhouse program elsewhere, one thing’s clear—the Hoosier work ethic travels well.
Who’s your favorite Indiana athlete? Share your pick and let’s celebrate the next generation of Hoosier sports legends.
Where Did Indiana’s Greatest Athletes Go to College?
Indiana is known for basketball, but our sports legacy runs way deeper. Across football, baseball, racing, and beyond, Hoosier athletes have made their mark on the national stage. But before they were pros, they were student-athletes—training, competing, and building the skills that made them stars.
So where did Indiana’s best athletes go to college? Let’s take a look at some of the biggest names and the campuses where they got their start.
Basketball Stars: Hoosier Hoops Goes National
Larry Bird — Indiana State University
French Lick’s finest became a legend at Indiana State, leading the Sycamores to the 1979 NCAA Championship game against Magic Johnson’s Michigan State. The game—and Bird’s small-town roots—made college basketball history.
George McGinnis — Indiana University
Before tearing up the ABA and NBA, McGinnis was a one-man wrecking crew at IU. His dominant play helped cement Indiana’s reputation as a basketball powerhouse.
Gordon Hayward — Butler University
Born in Brownsburg, Hayward led Butler to back-to-back Final Four appearances. His near-miss buzzer-beater in the 2010 championship game is still one of college basketball’s greatest "what if" moments.
The Best NCAA Tournament Game I Ever Saw: What if Gordon Hayward made the shot? - The Athletic
Jaden Ivey — Purdue University
One of Indiana’s modern NBA stars, Ivey made his mark at Purdue before becoming a lottery pick. He’s part of a new wave of Hoosier hoopers lighting up the league.
Want to see how today’s Indiana-born NBA players stack up? Check out our full 2024 NBA player rankings from Indiana. You might be surprised who tops the list this year.
🎥 And speaking of Indiana basketball icons…
Nate recently ranked his top 5 Hoosier athletes of all time—on the spot. No prep, no do-overs. Just vibes, strong opinions, and one slightly controversial pick.
Watch the clip below to see where Larry Bird, Caitlin Clark, Tyrese Haliburton, and Reggie Miller landed on Nate’s all-time list.
Football Legends: From Friday Night Lights to College Gridirons
Rod Woodson — Purdue University
This Fort Wayne native became a shutdown cornerback at Purdue before earning a Hall of Fame NFL career. Woodson’s speed and football IQ made him a star in the Big Ten and beyond.
Tracy Porter — Indiana University
Porter, from Port Allen, Louisiana, played his college ball at IU. But he earned Hoosier hearts forever when his pick-six sealed the Saints’ first Super Bowl win—putting an Indiana alum at the center of football history.
IU Football - Indiana Daily Student
Jaylon Smith — University of Notre Dame
A Fort Wayne Bishop Luers grad, Smith was a standout linebacker for Notre Dame. Despite a devastating injury in his final college game, he worked his way to an inspiring NFL career.
Racing Royalty: The Unsung Athletes of Indiana
Tony Stewart — Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
Columbus native Tony Stewart may be known for NASCAR, but he briefly attended IUPUI before going full throttle into professional racing. He’s since won championships in IndyCar and NASCAR, earning him a spot among Indiana’s greatest.
Sarah Fisher — Butler University (briefly)
This trailblazing female IndyCar driver hails from Commercial Point, Ohio, but made her mark in Indiana racing circuits—and attended Butler University before her racing career took off.
Baseball and Olympic Talent
Scott Rolen — Indiana University (briefly)
Rolen, from Jasper, Indiana, committed to IU before heading straight to Major League Baseball. He went on to have a Hall of Fame career with teams like the Cardinals and Phillies.
Lilly King — Indiana University
Olympic gold medalist and breaststroke specialist Lilly King dominated the NCAA swimming scene at IU, setting multiple records before shining on the world stage.
⚾ Miles Teller’s College Connection to Indiana Sports? Sort Of.
While not an athlete himself, actor Miles Teller recently brought his sports-loving energy to Indiana University Bloomington. His beverage company, The Finnish Long Drink, hosted a bar takeover in Bloomington—mixing celebrity culture and Hoosier sports fandom on one unforgettable night. Not a bad assist from Hollywood to the Indiana bar scene.
Quick Q&A: Hoosier Athlete Origins
Which Indiana college has produced the most pro athletes?
Indiana University and Purdue are neck and neck, producing NBA stars, NFL players, and Olympians. Notre Dame also claims many football greats.
Did Larry Bird go to IU?
Nope—he famously chose Indiana State University, turning the Sycamores into a national basketball powerhouse in 1979.
Who are the top NBA players from Indiana today?
Desmond Bane, Darius Garland, and Jaden Ivey lead the way for Indiana-born NBA talent. See the full ranking of Indiana NBA players here.
Indiana: A Launchpad for Sports Greatness
From small-town high schools to packed college arenas, Indiana has shaped some of the world’s most iconic athletes. Whether they stayed home or headed to a powerhouse program elsewhere, one thing’s clear—the Hoosier work ethic travels well.
Who’s your favorite Indiana athlete? Share your pick and let’s celebrate the next generation of Hoosier sports legends.
Written By:
Jarred Porter
Written By:
Jarred Porter
Jarred Porter
