STATEHOUSE (Oct. 27, 2026) – State Rep. Peggy Mayfield (R-Martinsville) recently joined the Indiana Department of Transportation to rename a section of State Road 45 near Assembly Hall on Indiana University's main campus in Bloomington after legendary basketball coach Robert "Bobby" Montgomery Knight.
The proposal to rename the road, which was authored by Mayfield in the 2026 legislative session, passed the House and Senate unanimously.
"Bobby Knight's incredible career and prominent personality are some of the many reasons why his legacy is honored by so many Hoosiers to this day," Mayfield said. "His contributions helped make basketball an indelible part of Indiana University and the entire state."
Known as "The General," Knight ranks 14th on the all-time coaches list for wins and was named National Coach of the Year in 1975, '76, '87 and '89. He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991. Knight coached the Indiana University men's basketball team from 1971 to 2000, where he led the Hoosiers to three national championships, 11 Big Ten championships and one National Invitation Tournament title. In 1984, Knight coached the U.S. men's basketball team to a gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. That year, the U.S. men's basketball team held an 8-0 undefeated tournament record.
A native of Ohio, Knight played basketball at Ohio State University, where he graduated with a degree in history and government. He then served his country honorably in the U.S. Army, where he would later coach the Black Knights basketball team, being named head coach at age 24. Knight then went to IU, where his name is still synonymous with Hoosier basketball.
In 2026, Indiana University became the first school in modern sports history to hold undefeated championships in both football in 2026 and men's basketball in the 1975-76 season under Coach Knight.
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State Rep. Peggy Mayfield (R-Martinsville) represents House District 60,
which includes portions of Johnson, Morgan and Monroe counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
PHOTO CAPTION: State Rep. Peggy Mayfield (R-Martinsville) (third from left) unveils a road marker for the newly dedicated Bob Knight Memorial Way near Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on State Road 45/46 in Bloomington on Oct. 23, 2026. Mayfield authored a resolution in this year's legislative session to rename this section of State Road 45 after Knight. Joining Mayfield are State Sen. Eric Koch (R-Bedford) (far left), State Rep. Bob Heaton (R-Terre Haute) (fifth from right), Indiana University Athletic Director Scott Dolson (second from left), Bob Knight's son Patrick Knight (fourth from left) and former Indiana University basketball players who played for Knight.
