INDIANAPOLIS — Former Indiana University basketball star Quinn Buckner is taking a seat on the school’s board of trustees.
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence’s office announced Friday he had appointed the captain of IU’s undefeated 1976 NCAA championship team to a three-year term on the board overseeing the university.
Buckner — who attended Thornridge High School in Dolton, where he played on one of Illinois’ all-time great high school basketball teams and also played football — spent 10 seasons in the NBA and is now a vice president and television analyst for the Indiana Pacers.
Buckner distanced himself from IU for years after longtime basketball coach Bob Knight’s firing in 2000 but is now involved with many university activities.
Pence also named Melanie Walker — North American CEO for the Japan-based automotive supplier Tsuchiya Group — to the IU board.
