Emmett Branch McCracken, an esteemed basketball player and coach born in Monrovia in 1908, led Monrovia High School to Tri-State Tournament wins in 1925 and 1926 as a two-time MVP, then played for Indiana University from 1927 to 1930, leading IU in scoring for three years and becoming a three-time All-Big Ten Team member. Inducted into Naismith Hall of Fame in 1960, he coached Ball State basketball from 1930 to 1938 and, after being hired as IU head coach in 1938, led the team to the 1940 national championship. He served in the Navy during World War II and returned to IU in 1946. From 1948 to 1951, he coached Bill Garrett, the first African American regular starter in Big Ten basketball, and in 1953 he led IU to another national title. He retired in 1965 and died in 1970.