IU Indianapolis Basketball Players Safe After Team Bus Catches Fire: 'Scary to Say the Least'

Mar. 15, 2025

The bus that caught fire while carrying the IU Indianapolis men’s basketball team on Feb. 23.Photo:IU Indianapolis

IU Indianapolis

The Indiana University Indianapolis men’s basketball team is safe after their bus caught fire, destroying the vehicle and all of the players' belongings.

During the Jaguars’ drive home after losing to Northern Kentucky University on Sunday, Feb. 23, the bus “experienced a mechanical issue” that caused a fire, the school said in astatementon X. The fire occurred on I-275 near Lawrenceburg, Ind., according to NBC affiliateWLWTandThe 812, a local Indiana outlet.

In the same statement, the IU Indiana athletic department also shared that “all members of the team and staff evacuated the bus without injury.”

Firefighters also confirmed to The 812 that no one was injured in the blaze. Nothing was left of the bus but severely charred remains, and the players’ personal belongings were destroyed.

Computers, video equipment and around 30 pairs of basketball shoes were among the personal items lost in the blaze, according to WLWT.  The team’s head coach, Paul Corsaro, estimated that “about $20,000 in team equipment and gear” was lost, he told Indianapolis outletWTHR.

“It was just disbelief,” Corsaro said. “It was scary to say the least.”

The head coach credited the quick reaction time of one of his assistants, Keith Oddo. “My assistant did a great job of not waiting,” he told WLWT, adding that “if he had waited and not got everyone off the bus I think it would have become a close call.”

The stranded group made it home thanks in part to a Lawrenceburg school bus driver, Amber Pickett, who heard of the Jaguars’ situation via scanner call and picked them up, WLWT reported.

The bus that caught fire while carrying the IU Indianapolis men’s basketball team on Feb. 23.IU Indianapolis

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The transportation company that owns the bus is investigating what caused the fire, and the team is preparing to continue with their season, a representative with IU Indianapolis athletics told PEOPLE on Tuesday, Feb. 25.

“As of now, we’re just trying to ensure that our student-athletes get the necessities that college athletes need – toiletries, clothes, basketball shoes, etc.,” the school representative said, noting that the “community support has been overwhelming and we’re excited that everyone is safe and healthy and ready to compete again on Thursday night.”

The Jaguars are set to host the Robert Morris University Colonials — the top-ranked team in their conference — at home on Thursday, Feb. 27.

“This team’s been through a lot,” he said of his players. “Talk about a resilient group.”

source: people.com