(La Porte, IN) - La Porte was the place to be recently for major college basketball coaches including one with deep Hoosier roots.

 

Mike Woodson, the head coach of the men’s basketball team at Indiana University, was here for the recent ESPN televised basketball invitational at the Civic Auditorium.

He was spotted in the stands here on Friday, which was the second day of the event featuring 30 of the top 100 college basketball recruits.

 

The players are with college prep school teams such as La Lumiere outside La Porte and other programs in states like Arizona, Utah and Florida.   

 

Brett Binversie, Director of the Civic Auditorium, said basketball coaches from other colleges also came here on recruiting trips when La Porte hosted the event for the first time last year.

He said Woodson, a former star player for the Hoosiers, tried keeping a low profile but wound up signing autographs for people who recognized him.

 

“It’s kind of hard to hide when you’re in the state of Indiana and you’re the head coach of Indiana, Purdue or Notre Dame.  If you go somewhere, they’re going to know you,” Binversie said.

 

Woodson played at Indiana University from 1977 to 1980 and went on to successful career as a player and coach in the NBA.