TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — Hulman Center at Indiana State University will have a new scoreboard and high resolution video boards thanks to the Hulman-George family. The family gave ISU $2 million to help cover the expense of the boards inside the recently-renovated sports venue.

A $50 million renovation of the Hulman Center was completed in 2020.

“Over the past 50 years, great memories have been created, and the recent renovations will ensure another 50 years of guest experiences enjoyed,” said Tony George. “We are happy to provide support for the information and communications system that will enhance the experience for all who attend events at the Hulman Center.”

ISU intends to have two hanging video boards measuring more than 14 by 24 feet and two hanging boards measuring more than 9 by 16 feet.

Plans also call for the installation of new boards above the floor-level openings at the four corners of the arena. There will also be two new scorer’s tables with video boards in front.

“This generous gift by the George family showcases the commitment and priority that the university has toward Indiana State men’s and women’s basketball and athletics as a whole,” said ISU Athletic Director Sherard Clinkscales, who adds the new video boards will “help create a fantastic environment for our home games in the future.”

The boards are expected to be operational in spring or early summer, replacing the current system which has been used for 13 years.

The project is being handled by South Dakota-based Daktronics Inc. (Nasdaq: DAKT).

DANVILLE, Ind. (WISH) — College student Caleb Needham was home from Indiana State University over the weekend. 

He was driving to his parents’ house in Danville on I-70 just south of Plainfield when a pumpkin crashed through his windshield. 

Needham said, just before he went under an overpass, he noticed the semi in front of him swerve and saw pumpkin splattered in the road. Before he knew it, one landed on his passenger seat and he quickly realized someone had dropped it from above.

Covered in glass and in shock, Needham calmly pulled to the side of the interstate, called his parents and then called police.  “I just started shaking I guess because I was just like scared I guess because I could have died in that instance,” Needham said. 

He is now back at school with just a few scratches, something his dad, Joe Needham, is thankful for. “This could have caused a major accident, not just with Caleb. You know, he could have jerked the steering wheel or went off the road. It could have killed him. He could have ran into other vehicles. He could have crossed the median. You know, so many other things could have happened with this.”

Those are all points Indiana State Police Sgt. John Perrine really hopes to drive home. “These can be deadly, and we’ve seen that before and we really want people to understand the potential ramifications that can come from throwing something at a moving car.”

Caleb and his family said they forgive the person who dropped the pumpkin and they’re hopeful they come forward. “Maybe they’ll come and apologize or something and say, ‘Hey, I was wrong,’ but maybe it will at least impact them from where they’re at today to where they’re at in the future so they don’t do this to someone else.”

Police said so far this is the only report of people dropping pumpkins they’ve received and are investigating. They are asking people on the interstate to pay close attention and call them if they see anything suspicious.

Indiana State has paused football workouts for two weeks after six players tested positive for COVID-19.

Coach Curt Mallory told players, coaches and support staff everyone must quarantine for 14 days. The athletic department issued a news release, saying none of the six players participated in Sunday’s March for Justice because they — and those in close contact with them — had already been isolated.

The Sycamores also say the players do not live on campus.

Indiana State is at least the third team from the Missouri Valley Football Conference, a traditionally strong Football Championship Subdivision league, to pause workouts.

“Our doctors and training staff instituted and followed strict protocols on monitoring and testing student-athletes,” athletic director said Sherard Clinkscales.

Big Ten member Indiana University just resumed voluntary workouts Friday following a two-week suspension after six participants also tested positive for COVID-19.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Like many athletes right now, their time away from the game is both unusual and enlightening … especially for Michael Haupert.

The Indiana State football player and former Fort Wayne Snider standout is showing us he’s full of surprises on and off the field.

“I’ve played five different positions. Um, I’ve been moved around a lot trying to find the right fit for me, and overnight I get moved back into the quarterback room and I’m running the Wildcat,” Haupert said.

Haupert stepped in to run the Wildcat package for Indiana State in his sophomore season, when the Sycamores’ starting quarterback went down with an injury. Haupert picked up the new offense almost overnight, almost as quickly as he discovered his hidden talent.

“I remember sitting on my couch one day and saying, ‘Hey mom, do we still have that old guitar?'” Haupert said. “My parents didn’t really think anything of it. They’re like, ‘Oh yeah, like he’ll like fiddle around with it.’ And I think it was two days later, I send them a video of me playing, and they were blown away.”

So, Haupert is already accustomed to performing under the lights on Friday’s and Saturday nights, but never without a helmet and full pads on.  But earlier this year, The Bluebird nightclub in Bloomington called and offered Haupert a chance to perform.

He said, “I always thought of singing as a hobby, and then when I got this gig and they wanted me to perform, I thought this might be able to open some doors for me.”

Haupert’s first big break was canceled due to COVID-19. He’s leaving the door cracked and decided to make his debut as a musician online.

“That was kind of my struggle for the longest time is actually stepping out of that comfort zone and showing people like what I can do, so I posted it,” Haupert said. “I think it gave people another look at me, you know, that I’m more than a football player, and everybody has dreams and goals outside of football. I encourage them and all athletes to show the world what you can do.”

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Javon Freeman-Liberty had 17 points and seven rebounds and Markus Golder posted 18 points as Valparaiso rolled past Indiana State 77-55 in the Missouri Valley Conference Tourney first round on Thursday night.

Bakari Evelyn had 13 points for Valparaiso (15-17).

Indiana State scored 26 second-half points, a season low for the team.

Tyreke Key had 20 points for the Sycamores (15-16). Jordan Barnes added 10 points. Christian Williams had eight rebounds.

VALPARAISO, Ind. (AP) — Tyreke Key had a career-high 32 points as Indiana State edged past Valparaiso 87-82 in overtime on Wednesday night.

Key hit 15 of 17 foul shots. He added six steals.

Key made two free throws to tie the game at 71 with 33 seconds left in regulation then Valparaiso worked the shot clock for one last possession. After Bakari Evelyn missed a 3-pointer with 3 seconds left, Javon Freeman grabbed the offensive rebound and missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer. Indiana State took a 79-72 lead early in overtime and Valparaiso did not threaten.

Cooper Neese had 13 points for Indiana State (13-12, 5-8 Missouri Valley Conference), which ended its four-game road losing streak. Bronson Kessinger added 12 points. Jordan Barnes had 11 points for the visiting team.

The Sycamores forced a season-high 21 turnovers.

Derrik Smits tied a career high with 23 points and had 11 rebounds for the Crusaders (13-13, 6-7). Deion Lavender added 16 points. Bakari Evelyn had 11 points.

The Sycamores improved to 2-0 against the Crusaders on the season. Indiana State defeated Valparaiso 70-53 on Jan. 23.

Indiana State matches up against Southern Illinois at home on Saturday.

Valparaiso matches up against Drake on the road on Saturday.

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) — Cooper Neese made his first four 3-point attempts and scored a career-high 18 points to help Indiana State beat Evansville 85-62 on Wednesday night.

The Sycamores (12-11, 4-7 Missouri Valley Conference) opened the game on a 13-3 run, led 39-17 at halftime and extended to their largest lead at 72-41 with 8:05 to play.

Tyreke Key added 15 points, Christian Williams scored 11 and De’Avion Washington had 10. Neese finished 4 of 5 from 3-point range, Washington made 3 of 4, and the Sycamores were 9 of 15 from the arc.

Dainius Chatkevicius had 12 points, K.J. Riley added 11 points and Marty Hill scored 10 for the Aces (10-14, 4-7), who have lost five of the last six.

Indiana State shot 54 percent from the field and outrebounded Evansville 41-28.

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) — Cameron Krutwig had 16 points and 10 rebounds, Marques Townes also scored 16 points and Loyola-Chicago spoiled Indiana State’s celebration of its 1979 team with a 75-67 victory on Saturday in front of a sellout crowd of 10,200, including NBA legend Larry Bird.

Indiana State was remembering the 40th anniversary of Bird facing off with Magic Johnson and Michigan State in the championship game. Bird, who averaged 28.6 points in being named the NCAA player of the year, and second-leading scorer Carl Nicks, 19.3 points, were honored a midcourt as well as coach Bill Hodges.

The game was the first sellout for Indiana State since a 2005 meeting with Indiana. The first 5,000 fans received a Horrible Hanky and a limited-edition program.

Lucas Williamson added 14 points for Loyola (12-7, 5-1 Missouri Valley) and Aher Uguak 10. The Ramblers have won three in a row.

Loyola led 34-23 with 2:07 left in the first half but Indiana State got it within six points at the break before the Ramblers scored seven of the first nine points of the second half. Isaiah Bujdoso made a 3-pointer with 4:11 left to put the Ramblers ahead 66-58 and Indiana State did not get closer than six points after that.

Tyreke Key led Indiana State (10-8, 2-4) with 19 points and Jordan Barnes added 15.