Hackman’s dazzling acting career stands out for sports fans for a single reason: His unforgettable role as Hickory Huskers coach Norman Dale in “Hoosiers,” the 1986 movie loosely based on tiny Milan’s run to the 1954 Indiana state title.

Hackman's portrayal of coach Dale's transformation — and redemption — throughout "Hoosiers" was the heartbeat of the box-office classic.

"In my book, we’re gonna be winners." That famous line was delivered at the end of a speech by Gene Hackman's character Norman Dale in "Hoosiers." His Hickory Huskers went on to become winners on and off the court,

University of Kansas coach Bill Self once likened a moment in the Jayhawks’ 2022 NCAA Championship victory to a scene in “Hoosiers.”

When great actors die, our grief multiplies. It feels like we lost them and every character they blessed with humanity. The emotions are deceiving because their art makes them eternal, but for those

Declared as one of the greatest sports movies in film history, the 1986 flick Hoosiers starred the late Gene Hackman as high school basketball Coach Norman Dale. The famed film follows the story of the Huskers and how they went from small-town Hickory,

"Here's a guy that could have come in and said, 'Give me my lines, show me my spots, get out of my way.' Gene did not do that," Long said. "He came in and wanted to go to some hig