David Austin Will Release Basketball Memoir in October 2026

The retired professor will mark his 85th birthday by publishing his first trade book on Hoosier basketball history.

Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Basketball

David Austin Will Release Basketball Memoir in October 2026

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Indiana University professor emeritus David R. Austin will debut his first trade book in October 2026. The work explores the legacy of the single-class high school basketball era in Indiana, coinciding with his 85th birthday.

Why it matters

The book captures the history of a cultural phenomenon known as Hoosier Hysteria, documenting the era before the state moved to a multiclass tournament structure in 1997-98.

The book details the single-class era of Indiana high school basketball that famously culminated in the 1954 Milan High School championship. Austin, who has over 170 career publications, is a former recipient of the 1988 Frederic Bachman Lieber Memorial Award.

The players

David R. Austin

He is an Indiana University professor emeritus who authored eight academic textbooks and holds over 170 publications.

Bobby Plump

He is a notable basketball figure who provides commentary for the upcoming book regarding the era of Hoosier Hysteria.

James Madison

He is a contributor to the book, providing historical context and commentary on the state's storied basketball tradition.

The details

Titled The Final Season: The Story of a Teenager and His Team's Final Season During the Golden Age of Hoosier Hysteria, the book chronicles memories of the classic tournament format. It features commentary from figures including Bobby Plump and James Madison.

1954: Milan High School won the Indiana state championship.
1988: Austin received the Frederic Bachman Lieber Memorial Award.
1997-98 season: Indiana moved to a multiclass tournament system.
October 2026: The book is scheduled for release alongside Austin's 85th birthday.

Season Trajectory

The story follows the pattern set by the 1954 Milan High School championship, which serves as the definitive anchor for the single-class tournament era. Austin's book re-examines how this cultural legacy shifted after the state adopted a multiclass tournament structure in 1997-98.

The publication will provide fans with an in-depth retrospective on the state's traditional tournament format prior to the 1997-98 multiclass change. The book offers historical context for those following the evolution of high school sports programs in Indiana.

The takeaway

Austin's transition from academic textbooks to a general audience trade book demonstrates the lasting cultural impact of Hoosier Hysteria. Readers interested in sports history can look forward to this retrospective on the golden age of Indiana basketball.