Eric Anderson Dies at age 48
- Thread starter pusucks2014
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Ugh.
Between him, Daryl, Gladness and (yes, I’m including them) Reed and Collier....we’ve had too many former players die too young.
Between him, Daryl, Gladness and (yes, I’m including them) Reed and Collier....we’ve had too many former players die too young.
Eric was a class act, great student and a real steal from Loudoo's back yard. Remember him pounding Purdue while wearing a Sesame Street bandage on his nose.
I'm not one to visit the "other teams" forums but sadly I'll make an exception this time. Very sad to hear of Eric's death. Dude was a beast back in the day and enjoyed the way he played. Prayers for his and IU family.
wow that absolutely sucks. Loved Eric as an IU player. Godspeed to family. Way way way too young.
As others have said he was one tough guy. Way too young. Rest in peace Eric.
Prayers are up for Eric's family and friends. He was a great player at IU.
Really good player. Thoughts and prayers to his family and the IU family.
I did not know that little piece of trivia regarding Eric. Anderson was simply a tough, steady workhouse of a player who kept his nose clean. When you think about it...those of us who were around for the entire metamorphosis of Bob Knight, most of his players who graduated were tough playing SOB’s who other teams didn’t like to have to face. Their disciplined, robotic ways wore on opposing teams as the game progressed. A good example is the 1976 championship game against Michigan for the third time that undefeated season. We were down 6 points at the half after loosing Bobby Wilkerson to injury within the first 5 min. IU fans thought, Here we go again...undefeated up until our last game of the season..oh, so close to that historically pleasing undefeated season, the Holy Grail of college basketball”. The mindset of the team in that locker room thought differently. That speaks well for the tutelage of Bob Knight as it does for the playing character of his student, Eric Anderson. Rest In Peace, Eric, and thanks for playing a part in what makes our lives so enjoyable. You played it well.
And I have to add to what you so eloquently wrote that 48 is way, way too young. I hope the athletic department can do something to honor his memory during the rest of this season.
They haven’t honored any other ex-player dying young so I don’t imagine them starting a precedent over it now. A current team member dying would certainly be indusive for a season long show of remembrance. BTW, has it been made public as to what precipitated his untimely demise, ie via accident or health, physical or mental in nature?
From the recently updated Indystar story:
"Eric was an outstanding player for us, right from the start — a four-year starter who was instrumental on some excellent, championship teams and a good friend to all of those guys who play with him," former coach Bob Knight said in a statement released by IU. "It's tragic to hear of his passing."
When’s the last time the IU Athletic Department included a statement from RMK in its official press release? I know he issued a comment about Daryl Thomas, but not through the university.
Very sad news. Leaves way too early. RIP, big guy. The best to his family.
His HS, Francis DeSales is right under the Skyway as you pass from Hammond into Chicago. Was a huge get. He beat out LaPhonso Ellis for Illinois Mr Basketball. Also briefly shown and mentioned in "hoop dreams" playing against St Joe's.
Started from day 1 at IU. Sweet shooter who could defend inside at 6'9". BT titles in '89 and '91. FF in '92. When he struggled shooting his senior year, all he did was come off the bench and earn MOP of the West Regional in a blowout of a great UCLA team (McClean, Tracey Murray, Ed O'Bannon) and a close one Thursday night vs a very talented FSU team with Doug Edwards, Sam Cassel and Bob Sura.
His HS, Francis DeSales is right under the Skyway as you pass from Hammond into Chicago. Was a huge get. He beat out LaPhonso Ellis for Illinois Mr Basketball. Also briefly shown and mentioned in "hoop dreams" playing against St Joe's.
Started from day 1 at IU. Sweet shooter who could defend inside at 6'9". BT titles in '89 and '91. FF in '92. When he struggled shooting his senior year, all he did was come off the bench and earn MOP of the West Regional in a blowout of a great UCLA team (McClean, Tracey Murray, Ed O'Bannon) and a close one Thursday night vs a very talented FSU team with Doug Edwards, Sam Cassel and Bob Sura.
Saw his final h.s. game, a loss against East St. Louis Lincoln in the Illinois state championship game. He had 23 points and 17 rebounds and played great.
RIP
Terrible news. Was an outstanding player and by all accounts an even better person. Prayers for Eric and family.
I remember watching Eric as a freshmen and being impressed by the way he battled the big guys underneath.
Sorry to hear of his passing.
Sorry to hear of his passing.
Everyone knows his toughness and great shooting. I like to remember just what a great representative of IU ,he was.I took my sons when they were young to a game and afterwards,He was more than patient to sign stuff for them. Very personable and likeable.May the Lord hold him and welcome him into Heaven. Miss you,Eric.
What year was this video made?
How sad to see this & think about EA death and Todd Leary's troubles.
snowling
Hall of Famer
https://iuhoosiers.com/news/2018/12...ns-the-loss-of-eric-anderson.aspx?path=mbball
https://iuhoosiers.com/news/2018/12...mily-remembers-eric-anderson.aspx?path=mbball
https://www.hoosiersportsreport.com/2018/12/former-hoosier-eric-anderson-dies/
https://www.idsnews.com/article/2018/12/former-iu-mens-basketball-player-eric-anderson-dies
Go Hoosiers!
https://iuhoosiers.com/news/2018/12...mily-remembers-eric-anderson.aspx?path=mbball
https://www.hoosiersportsreport.com/2018/12/former-hoosier-eric-anderson-dies/
https://www.idsnews.com/article/2018/12/former-iu-mens-basketball-player-eric-anderson-dies
Go Hoosiers!
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Way too young for sure. I wouldnt want to speculate but Im thinking something with the heart. Whether it is genetics or a defect it just seems really common with athletes having heart problems and dying too young. Wish they could do more testing and possibly surgery to fix it.
Was the surprise anchor for my favorite season...1989.
Our frontcourt was a freshman (back when freshman weren't known for starting right away) and Todd Jadlow (who might have averaged 2 minutes a game leading up to that season).
The other thing that hits home is we are the same age (class of 88) and I remember the recruitment of Eric out of Chicago...so that hits me on a different emotional plane.
Awful news. RIP.
Our frontcourt was a freshman (back when freshman weren't known for starting right away) and Todd Jadlow (who might have averaged 2 minutes a game leading up to that season).
The other thing that hits home is we are the same age (class of 88) and I remember the recruitment of Eric out of Chicago...so that hits me on a different emotional plane.
Awful news. RIP.
Anderson was such a solid player. He is simply one of those guys you always remember as a fan. It is such a shame to hear that he has died so young.
As a player he will always be remembered for that shooting ability. He started right out of the gate the day he arrived and kept on shooting with range and consistency right up through that Final Four run.
He will always be a big part of Indiana Hoosier basketball.
As a player he will always be remembered for that shooting ability. He started right out of the gate the day he arrived and kept on shooting with range and consistency right up through that Final Four run.
He will always be a big part of Indiana Hoosier basketball.
Did Eric ever miss a shot from 15-18 feet? Seems like every mid range jumper he took, you knew it was money.
I just don't get this.
Eric was hanging at Henke Hall for the Maryland game and damn near looked in playing shape. No indication of any issues, up talking to all fans and watching the game.
What was that, less than a month ago? Now gone?
Definitely sobering for this 48 year old.
Eric was hanging at Henke Hall for the Maryland game and damn near looked in playing shape. No indication of any issues, up talking to all fans and watching the game.
What was that, less than a month ago? Now gone?
Definitely sobering for this 48 year old.
That's always funny thinking to me. With that line of thinking, we never do anything new as a program. I hope our AD and program folks were at Duke and saw what a family environment they've created and try to figure out how to replicate that to some degree on a larger scale. In the 2nd half they recognized EVERY former Duke player who was at the game. Probably 15-20 I'd imagine. I believe it can be done. Honoring a former player who passed before a game, seems like a great first step. Hope they do something and I see nothing wrong with going back and recognizing others who've died in recent years. Video has taken over the pregame, seems a pretty simple, yet meaningful and proper thing to do. Hope it happens.
Eric was probably one of the best people that have played for IU, as a person. As a player, what I remember most is that he gave consistent effort almost all the time. He was never up & down. He was a very well-rounded player who has been underrated, I think, in our collective memory.
I have no problem with that but where do you draw the line on untimely death recognition, 50 or younger? FWIW, Steve Reisch was the first player coached by Knight to succumb to the forces of death. He was a walk-on player from the IU baseball team, recruited last minute due to unexpected injuries on the basketball team. Steve was killed in a car accident in southern IN a few years after graduation, if fading memory serves me correctly.
I don't know where you stop, but where you start would be relatively easy: with Eric at the next home game would be perfect. Again, it's a new staff so recognizing that a Hoosier great who died too early doesn't cost anything and could or could not be a precedent. Just a nice and proper gesture.
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