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The actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were recently found deceased, alongside one of their dogs. Many mourn their passing, including Hackman’s legions of movie-going fans.
Two of my all-time favorite Hackman roles are Lex Luthor in the movie “Superman” and Coach Norman Dale in the movie “Hoosiers”—roles that are polar opposites. Last weekend, as a tribute to Hackman, I rewatched “Hoosiers” and was reminded why it is widely considered such a good movie: It adeptly conveys valuable life lessons that still ring true today. Here are the five lessons I took away.
First, there are several underdog characters in the movie, starting with Coach Dale and including his assistant coach, Shooter, played by Dennis Hopper. These underdogs benefit from a second chance to pick themselves up off the ground and make a new start, however imperfectly these new starts are implemented. This is a good reminder that everyone can benefit from a fresh start and the opportunity to make different choices.
Second, when Dale begins coaching his new team, he finds the players focus almost exclusively on shooting baskets—at the expense of other skills like footwork, being in top physical shape and defensive tactics. He quickly shifts the focus of their practices to drilling the fundamentals, despite criticism from some enthusiastic fans in the community with equally enthusiastic opinions. Why? Because creating and maintaining a strong foundation is the basis for success in whatever we’re focused on, whether it’s sports, the arts or a career.
Third, one of the star players—Jimmy Chitwood—drops off the team following the death of a loved one. Rather than pressuring him to rejoin, Dale tells Jimmy the decision to play basketball again is his alone. The coach knows Jimmy needs time to process his grief, and he makes the decision to prioritize Jimmy’s well-being over the team’s playing record.
Fourth, Dale emphasizes the need for the team to actually function as a team by working together and allowing each player to lean into their respective strengths for the collective benefit of the team. This is a good philosophy for every kind of team. Everyone
has different capabilities, and teams are stronger when every person has the chance to contribute their particular skills.
And finally, what’s not to love about a nationally beloved movie that highlights the great state of Indiana? We have a lot of strengths and a slew of exciting things happening in our state, such as Indiana University Indianapolis earning its R1 research designation and the Indianapolis Zoo announcing its second annual Emerging Conservationist Award.
In writing about a basketball movie, I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention that Indiana is hosting not only the NCAA Men’s Final Four in 2026 but also the Women’s Final Four in 2028 and the Men’s Final Four once again in 2029.
As Hoosiers, we should feel justifiably proud of the great people in our state—across every sector of our economy—working to make Indiana an even better place to live, work and play.
Lex Luthor was a villain who earned his just reward when Superman saved the planet. Coach Dale made a fresh start and focused on helping his team become the best it could be. Thanks to Gene Hackman for all the great life lessons, both local and intergalactic.•
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Fiddian-Green is president and CEO of the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, whose mission is to advance the vitality of Indianapolis and the well-being of its people. Send comments to [email protected].
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