Author Keith O'Brien on Larry Bird and Indiana State

About this episode

Keith O'Brien discusses his book on Larry Bird and Indiana State's journey to the 1979 NCAA Championship Game.

Fans know the 1979 NCAA Championship Game as a classic showdown between Indiana State and Michigan State, and the first chapter in the Bird/Magic rivalry. Fewer know the fully story of ISU's cinderella run to the championship game, and of how close Larry Bird came to ending his legendary career before it even started. Just in time for the Final Four, author Keith O'Brien joins us to discuss his new book, "Heartland: A Forgotten Place, an Impossible Dream, and the Miracle of Larry Bird" . It tells the story of how a young man from French Lick led a team from Terra Haute to the summit of college basketball. Hello Old Sports is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear . Contact the show at HelloOldSports@gmail.com and find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HelloOldSports

People in this episode

Guest: Keith O'Brien

Topics covered

• NCAA Championship
• Larry Bird
• Indiana State
• basketball history
• sports rivalry
• Keith O'Brien

Keywords

• Larry Bird
• Indiana State
• Keith O'Brien
• 1979 NCAA Championship
• basketball
• sports history

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Indiana State, Michigan State, Sports History Network

Books & works: Heartland: A Forgotten Place, an Impossible Dream, and the Miracle of Larry Bird

Places: French Lick, Terra Haute

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