Indiana State University Athletics

King’s reputation as an astute administrator and basketball coach at the University of New Mexico preceded his reign as Director of Athletics at Indiana State which began in 1974. In seven eventful years, he transformed ISU’s image as a small college athletics power, rich in tradition, into a formidable national force.

He is best remembered as the basketball coach who compiled a 61-24 record between 1975 and 1978 and steered the Sycamores to NIT berths in 1977 and 1978 while assembling components for the acclaimed 1978-79 men’s basketball team.

During King’s regime, the men’s gymnastics team was the NCAA co-champion in 1977 and the baseball, football and wrestling programs expanded and thrived. Hall of Famers Bruce Baumgartner, Kurt Thomas, Tunch Ilkin and Wally Johnson were among the many great athletes identified with his era.

The simple words, “SOLD OUT”, first registered on Hulman Center’s marquee in February 1977 are symbolic of King’s vast accomplishments.

• Coached Sycamores to NIT (1977, 1978) 

• Never had a losing season in 13 years of college coaching (233-113) 

• Career record at Indiana State 61-24 

• Men’s Gymnastics captures NCAA Title (1977) 

• Football finishes 8-3 (1979) 

• Men’s Basketball finishes NCAA Runner-up (1979) 

• Wrestling team emerges as a national power finishing 15th at NCAA (1980) 

• Baseball wins Missouri Valley Conference title, advances to NCAA Regional (1979) 

• Inducted into Hall of Fame August 21, 1999 

• Inducted into Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Fame 2003