Who says that nobody goes downtown? Well they did in 1940 and they came in droves, a sea of humanity swells to greet the new Indiana State Basketball Champions of 1940, as they arrive at the Monon station. Not a speck of pavement can be seen two photos top left, as the crowds move in the get a glimpse of the city's new reigning athletes.

The team arrived in town at 11:34 a.m. from the Butler Field House down state. Thousands of citizens, both young and old alike were on hand to greet them. It was almost like New Year's Eve, a celebration to which the city had not seen before. This was the first time that a state basketball championship was awarded to a school this far north.

Hundreds of students built a huge bonfire right in the intersection of State and Hohman on the night of the victory on Saturday March 30. The students then proceeded to dance around the bonfire in a joyous frenzy. Cars were soon to follow and parade around town as revelers fired shots into the air in celebration.

Police were unable to disperse the growing crowds of celebrants as the traffic began to snarl in the downtown area. Grade school and high school students soon added to the congestion and traffic tie ups as they began to snake dance through the streets and stores. But no one seemed to mind because it was time to celebrate, for Tech had won the State Championship.

The final game score was 33 to 21. Another photograph bottom left shows the Championship team of 1940 -- The Tech Tigers.