I am a sports fan. I am also a movie fan. So I am a big fan of sports movies. It is a pleasant curiosity to me that the state of Indiana dominates this genre.

Bloomington was the beautiful setting for "Breaking Away". The outsiders ('cutters') won the Little 500 bicycle race at IU and gained some much needed respect. Dennis Quaid displayed the cut physique he still carries today (28 years later).

Many purists consider "Eight Men Out" the greatest baseball movie ever. Eight members of the 1919 Chicago White Sox threw the World Series and were banned from baseball for life. A dark movie, indeed. Charlie Sheen shined in an all-star cast. This baseball classic was filmed in downtown Indianapolis and in old Bush Stadium.

"Rudy" is the consummate story of the underdog. Being neither big nor smart, Rudy dreams of playing football for Notre Dame. His size and intellect are not the only challenges. His family and others create obstacles along the way. "Rudy" is a story of academic and athletic desire. I watch "Rudy" whenever I need motivation.

And we all know about "Hoosiers." The David and Goliath tale of the tiny Hickory High School team beating the big boys to win the Indiana boys basketball tournament is an American film classic. "Hoosiers" portrayed such a slice of Americana that it was placed on the National Film Registry in the Library of Congress.

"Hoosiers" was roughly based on the 1954 Milan team who slew giant after giant en route to the 1954 state championship. Bobby Plump hit the game winning shot that clinched the title. He has a restaurant/bar in Broad Ripple called "Plump's Last Shot". The sandwiches are very good. But my favorite feature is the basketball goal out back which is useful in re-creating some classic Hoosier Hysteria.