SOUTHPORT, Ind — Bill Springer is a Hoosier high school basketball coaching legend.
He coached at seven schools, winning 539 games over 40 years.
Some of best success came at Southport High School where Springer-coached teams won eight sectional titles and went to the State Finals in 1990.
Springer was honored Tuesday at the Southport Fieldhouse, his home court for 17 years.
“This means a great deal to me. I’m humbled by the number of people that showed up for this thing,” Springer said.
Springer was an All-City player at Indianapolis Washington High School and played college ball at Hanover College.
His coaching career began shortly after graduating from Hanover and took Springer to Linden, Seeger, Brazil, Jennings County, Bloomington South, Shortridge and Southport.
Many of Springer’s former players came to the Southport ceremony.
“My best experience was always the relationship with the boys. A lot of them showed up, called me today, you can’t beat that,” Springer said.
Springer is a member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame and his number-34 jersey has been retired at Washington High School.
