![]() In 2015, I was there as part of the volunteer requirements for a sports business class. In 2010, when the Final Four took place in Lucas Oil Stadium, I was in a three-on-three basketball tournament that was played in the Convention Center and spent much of my time playing basketball and goofing around with my friends. Russell took a bite of his burger and looked at us without saying a word. We walked over to Russell’s table and my friend explained that we were huge basketball fans and would love to have his autograph. After all, how many 13-year-old kids were going up to Russell asking for his autograph when his playing career ended 23 years before I was born? He’d appreciate a young kid who was aware of what he’d done throughout his career, right? My friend Zak, who didn’t originally believe me that it was Bill Russell, had no reservations and convinced me to walk with him. It was Celtics legend Bill Russell, remembered for his 11 NBA titles and a presence on any short list of greatest players in the history of the game.Īs a shy teenager, I didn’t want to bother him or the man he was sitting with. The man had a few rings on the hand clutching his burger. My friends and I were scarfing down our burgers and shakes when I looked over and saw a tall older man in an old Boston Celtics hat with salt-and-pepper hair poking out of the side. ![]() One day during the weekend we went to the Steak ‘n Shake in downtown Indianapolis. It was decided that the line would have to be cut off somewhere. Walton was only signing for a limited time and it became clear that there’s no way he’d be able to sign for everyone within the time he was scheduled to be on stage. By the time we finished the game, we headed to the end of a long line for Walton’s signature. ![]() My friends and I were in line for a basketball game when there was an announcement that Walton would be signing autographs. There was an autograph session for UCLA legend Bill Walton. Other parts of the experience weren’t so great. My friend Zak, never one to be shy, went inside with me and asked Vitale if he could give us one of his signature catchphrases, “It’s awesome, baby!” Vitale, whose voice was hoarse, likely a result of his trademark yelling, made a point to never disappoint his fans and gave us a raspy version of the phrase we had asked to hear. One highlight was walking by Champps Sports Bar inside Circle Centre Mall and seeing ESPN sportscaster Dick Vitale. We spent hour upon hour inside the Convention Center doing the various activities - autograph sessions, basketball clinics, basketball trivia, and the chance to see faces that we had only seen on TV. I went with my two best friends, Chris and Zak. The Convention Center was the host to the Final Four Fan Fest. Most of my time spent at that Final Four came inside the Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis, just blocks away from the now-demolished RCA Dome where the games were played. Cameron Stewart at the 2016 NCAA men’s basketball Final Four
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