As a young man goes through his high school years, he never plays any varsity sports, but he loves sports and enjoys them a great deal. He starts off writing for his high school newspaper, and then moves on to college and writes for his paper there. Finally, he works his way up to become the IU basketball beat writer for the Bloomington Herald-Times.

Lynn Houser spoke in the auditorium of Ernie Pyle Hall on July 22 at the Indiana University School of Journalism to students enrolled in the sports reporting-editing class, which is part of the High School Journalism Institute at IU. He spoke to the students about how he got to where he his today, his experiences through his years as the IU basketball beat writer for the Bloomington Herald-Times, and what it takes to be a great sports writer.

His journalism career began at Bishop Dwenger High School in Fort Wayne. Sports were always a form of enjoyment for him, but in high school he never played any varsity sports. Instead, he decided to write for his high school newspaper. Even though he had a love for sports he was not the sports editor.

After high school he attended Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne for two years where he worked for the school’s student newspaper. After studying there he transferred to Indiana University where he got his degree in journalism. While there he worked for the IU’s student newspaper, then Daily Student.

Finally after all of his years working he was offered a job by the Bloomington Herald-Times. He started working as the IU basketball beat writer for them. While with the Bloomington Herald-Times he had his share of interesting experiences.

During the Bob Knight era he was able to learn a great deal about the man. He said he was a very intelligent man, and when it came to coaching he was almost like a dictator.

“Covering IU basketball was like going into East Germany,” said Houser referring to how coach Knight ran his teams.

His most memorable moment with Knight was the time he got kicked out of his Knight’s office. He said that he was at a preseason Big Ten coaches meeting and Knight’s table was next to Iowa first-year coach Steve Alford, who played on Knight's 1987 NCAA title team at IU. Due to the history between the two coaches over Luke Recker, they never looked at each other.

Houser decided to write a story about it and after the article was printed in the paper Knight did not like what he read. Knight set up a meeting with a friend of his, Bob Hammel, former sports editor of the Herald-Times, and Houser. As the two were walking into “The Cave,” Knight's office in the basement of Assembly Hall, Houser was worried about what Knight would say.

When he sat down in Knight’s office, he said that Knight started yelling at him about the article he had written. Before Houser even got three words out, Knight told him to get out of his office. After he had left the office, Knight talked with Hammel.

After a little while of waiting outside the office, Hammel opened the door and told him to come back in. Knight proceeded to yell at him again, but all of a sudden Knight got a phone call from his wife, with whom he had plans later that evening.

All of a sudden, Knight disrobed because he had to change. Houser was shocked at what he just saw. From then on it has been his most memorable moment with Knight.

After two seasons with Texas Tech, Knight has changed, Houser says.

“Coach Knight got into a rut his last few years at IU,” Houser said. “He had a fresh start and was able to build up a new program.”

Knight may enjoy it in Lubbock, but the pain and anger he suffered at the end at IU will not go away, Houser said.

As for covering the Hoosiers, Houser believes that Dane Fife, a tough defenisve stopper who played on the IU team that went to the NCAA final in 2002, is the best player he as ever interviewed. He said Fife is very knowledgeable and believes that Fife will be coaching a big college program in the future. Fife is currently serving as administrative assistant to Hoosier coach Mike Davis.