FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Pat McKee, 317-403-1665
July 2, 2026 IBCA Director of Special Projects
Former Rossville, Butler standout served Indiana basketball coaches, players for 40-plus years
It is with great sadness that the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association notes the passing of Gene Milner, the IBCA’s website coordinator for the past 22 years, IBCA job placement service director for the past 42 years and editor/publisher of the IBCA boys’ basketball Record Book from 1983 to 2024.
Milner, 80, an Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame inductee who passed away on Tuesday (June 30) at his home in Greencastle, gave a lifetime of service to playing, coaching and supporting basketball in Indiana.
“Gene’s dedication to preserving Indiana basketball history, mentoring coaches and serving the IBCA has left a lasting impact on our state and our game,” IBCA executive director Marty Johnson said. “Thank you, Gene, for your extraordinary service, friendship and unwavering love for Indiana basketball.”
A 1963 graduate of Rossville High School, Milner was the state’s leading scorer as a senior with a 30.6 average. He also averaged 18.7 points as a sophomore, 24.5 points as a junior and had a career total of 1,641 points, a school record for 25 years and a total that still stands third on the Hornets’ all-time list. During his high school career, he had eight games with 40 or more points and was a three-time all-Hoosier Conference, three-time all-Clinton County and three-time all-sectional selection. He also played four years of baseball at Rossville, hitting .391 as a senior.
Milner matriculated to Butler University, where he played for coach Tony Hinkle and was named a 1967 Indiana college All-Star after averaging 14.2 points and 2.3 rebounds as a senior. In three seasons, Milner totaled 749 points and 114 rebounds in 65 games in an era when freshmen were ineligible for college competition.
“Gene is as good of a shooter as there is around anywhere,” Hinkle said.
After college, Milner was an assistant coach for three seasons each at Clinton Central and Harrison (West Lafayette) before becoming a head coach at Rensselaer Central. His Bombers went 25-40 from 1973-76 at Rensselaer, Milner coaching his last season from a wheelchair after being severely injured in a crash on July 11, 1975.
Milner took over as publisher and editor of the Record Book in 1983 and added the role of director of the IBCA Job Placement Service in 1984. He also published the IBCA information books for the IBCA/IHSAA annual Top 100 Underclass Showcase events for boys and girls from 2003 through 2019 and served as the IBCA website coordinator from 2004 until his passing. As part of the Record Book, he tracked the boys’ 1,000-point scorers list and the boys’ Coaching Club list for 40-plus years.
In recognition of his efforts, beyond his Hall of Fame induction in 2007, Milner was named to the Hall of Fame’s Silver Anniversary Team in 1988, was presented an IBCA Virgil Sweet Award in 2006 and was inducted into the National High School Basketball Coaches Association’s “Court of Honor” in 2022.
Milner, born on Sept. 17, 1945, is survived by Carrie (Blue) Milner, his wife of more than 60 years. He also is survived by son Chris, daughter Laura, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Arrangements are being handled by Bittles & Hurt Funeral Home, Greencastle. A celebration of life will be held by the family at a later date to be determined.