TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — Indiana basketball legend Larry Bird now has his own museum in the town where he burst into the national spotlight, taking Indiana State to the NCAA title game in 1979.
The museum inside the Terre Haute Convention Center opens to the public Friday, May 31, but "Larry Legend" was in town for the opening ceremonies on Thursday.
"My journey started over 40 years ago. And it's not a journey that can go alone," Bird said. "Never really felt I went alone because of fans like you. We won together. We lost together. We stayed together. And here we are again today."
Bird was together with his fans in Terre Haute to unveil the museum that chronicles the basketball career of the "Hick from French Lick" — from Springs Valley High School, to Indiana State, to the Boston Celtics, the Olympic "Dream Team" and coach and executive for the Indiana Pacers.
"He seemed like he got a little choked up during his speech today, and you normally do not see that from Larry Bird," said Kris Foust, who lives in Terre Haute. "I don't know if that had a big part of Bill Walton passing away recently, combined with his family and friends all being here to support him today. But it was very neat to see him give a heartfelt speech to the people here in Terre Haute today."
"I think it's great. I think there's no other place it should be, right here downtown where they really revitalized everything in the last five years or so just brings more and more people to the community, which is a really great way I think to show off what Terre Haute is doing and how it's definitely been building the last couple of years," Indiana State volleyball coach Ashley Pritchard said.
"You know, if you think about it, I got a little street named after me. I got a statue out there. I got museum here. Thank you, Terre Haute, but I think that's enough for awhile," Bird said. "This city, you have no idea how much I respect the city and the people in it."
Admission to the museum is free, but you have to schedule your visit online. Video is not allowed, but you can get a look at some of the exhibits in the gallery below:
"Larry's wish, though, was to have all of his stuff in one location. And so that really was what drove the bus as far as ... and he wanted it in Terre Haute," said Terri Conley, with the Terre Haute Capital Improvement Board.
"I wanted to do it for the kids and the community. And not only here in Terre Haute, but around Indiana and around the country," Bird said. "I'm sure there's some people come here from around the world to see it. So you know, it's amazing to me that I've gone from where I did growing up to where I'm at now. And it's all because of dribbling a basketball all the time."
He's still connecting with fans who only see him play in the social media archives.
"His 3-point shooting and his trash talking," one boy said.
Yes, those are part of the museum, too.
"You know, I'm a shy introvert. How the heck I keep getting up here on stage talking to thousands of people? It's always been amazing to me," Bird said. "But it's because of the love and respect that I've always had for my fans, and the love and respect that they showed me back. And today is a special day for me because you're here. If you were not here, it means nothing. So thank you, and God bless each and every one of you."