TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — By his personal admission, Larry Hen has at all times been a shy introvert.
So he questioned why he has to maintain speaking on stage in entrance of hundreds of individuals.
“It is due to the love and respect I’ve had for my followers and the love and respect they’ve proven me again,” Hen mentioned.
The Indiana State College and Boston Celtics nice addressed a public ceremony Thursday for the official opening of the Larry Hen Museum contained in the Terre Haute Conference Middle. After the ceremony, Hen took questions from the media, which he jokingly mentioned is likely to be his final interview.
“I obtained slightly road named after me, I obtained a statue on the market and now a museum right here,” Hen mentioned of the town, the house of Indiana State. “Thanks, Terre Haute, however I feel that is sufficient for some time. You don’t have any concept how a lot I respect the town and the folks in it.”
The ceremony befell a couple of days after the Celtics superior to the NBA Finals by sweeping the Indiana Pacers within the Japanese Convention finals. Hen, a former head coach and govt with the Pacers, returned to his home-state crew as a guide in 2023.
“I keep in mind on the All-Star Sport, I informed one of many Celtics house owners that I believed they’d the very best crew within the league,” mentioned Hen, who received three NBA titles with the Celtics. “I am very pleased with the Indiana Pacers. I feel they have an excellent alternative to maintain transferring on and doing very effectively. [Tyrese] Haliburton and different guys play effectively collectively. When the ball’s transferring, they win. In the event that they guard slightly bit, they win. Typically they do not guard. They’ve an excellent crew and so they’ll solely develop collectively and get higher.”
Hen, 67, is simply as pleased with the museum and all of the work that went into it. The museum incorporates memorabilia from Hen’s highschool, school and NBA profession, interactive displays and interviews with coaches, teammates and rivals. Hen led Indiana State to the 1979 NCAA championship sport earlier than dropping to Magic Johnson-led Michigan State.
“I feel they obtained sufficient in there to maintain everybody’s curiosity,” Hen mentioned. “I feel it should be good for the town and lots of people will come by it.”
Hen mentioned there are such a lot of gadgets that carry again recollections of his profession.
Capital Enchancment Board Museum Co-Chair Terri Conley mentioned one factor Hen insisted on is the museum admission was free.
Hen described the museum opening reception as unbelievable.
“I feel that is what social media is all about, thank God they did not have that after I was enjoying,” he mentioned. “There are such a lot of younger youngsters carrying my jersey. … Terre Haute has adopted my profession. You do not make these journeys alone. Terre Haute at all times had my again.”
Hen by no means envisioned having a museum named after him.
“All I attempted to do was observe my brother’s footsteps and make the varsity crew,” he mentioned. “I made myself proud after I obtained to begin as a junior. I stored enjoying and, clearly, I like the sport. I beloved different sports activities, too, however basketball clicked for me.”
Coming into his sophomore 12 months at Springs Valley Excessive Faculty, Hen was simply 6-foot-1 earlier than present process an enormous development spurt.
“Thank God, I grew or I would nonetheless be engaged on that rubbish truck,” mentioned Hen, referring to the job he had in French Lick after leaving Indiana College earlier than his freshman season began and earlier than enrolling at ISU. “At 6-1, you do not make it to the NBA until you’re particular and really fast. I even grew up at Indiana State. I went from 6-7½ to 6-9 and that basically helped my sport.”
Hen mentioned there have been some powerful losses and nice wins alongside what he known as his wonderful journey.
“It is simply unlucky my profession did not last more as a result of I might have performed two extra years however the accidents began mounting,” he mentioned. “I felt we must always have received not less than yet one more championship with the crew we had.”
Hen retired earlier than the 1992-93 season with again issues. Hen helped the Celtics seize NBA titles in 1981, ’84 and ’86. As a head coach, Hen coached the Indiana Pacers to the NBA Finals in 2000 earlier than dropping to the Los Angeles Lakers.
