In 1977 the USC Heidelberg recently became German champion. Right in the middle: Harald “Harry” Rupp. Today 72, still with heart – and full of hope in front of the semi -finals against Munich.
1977. Basketball hall in the Heidelberg Federal Performance Center. Thousands of students in the ranks. Cheers, fan chants, beer shower-Heidelberg celebrates its basketball heroes. It is the year of the last championship title for the USC Heidelberg – today MLP Academics Heidelberg. Right in the middle: Building player and international Harald “Harry” Rupp. Today, almost five decades later, basketball in Heidelberg is again a city discussion – and Rupp is still there.
“Always!”, The 72-year-old replies without hesitation when asked by SWR Sport, whether he is still in the games today. He does not miss a home game, and he also follows the away games on the television. For a long time he was active as a partner and sporting director after his active time – today he feverishly excited from the stands. Together with his former teammates, he sits in the so-called alumni block in the SNP Dome.
Harald “Harry” Rupp in the national team’s jersey in the 1970s
“We all know each other. Most of them all players from back then. Most still live in Heidelberg and of course we have fun,” says Rupp.
Old times come up
Fun that they also had in earlier times and who has developed behind the teams with a great team over the past few years. Rupp also sees that:
“A large part of the success is that these are people who stand for Heidelberg. They are all Heidelberger. They do not come from the outside and see it as a job, but are full of passion behind it.” The current success of the Academics awakens memories and revives the enthusiasm in the city.
Even then, in the 1960s and 70s, basketball in Heidelberg was the number one sport and, according to Rupp, the case is now again. The differences to the past? More athletics, a greater training workload and professionalism. In the past, many players were students or professionals at the same time. Today they are full professionals.
The dream of the final lives
After Victory in the opening game The Heidelberger could set 2-0 in the series against FC Bayern on Wednesday (8 p.m.). For Rupp, the previous way is already a little miracle:
“This is a sensation. I would not have thought that Bavaria was at home. Without Euroleague games, I would have thought that they were now rested and put us too pressure in defense. Munich did not play badly,” you have to say that, “says Rupp. “But we have already won so many games in this round in the last few minutes. The boys believe there and have a confidence. They went there on Sunday morning and played nicely.”
In its own, long -sold -out new hall, which is now called “Dome”, the Danny Jansson team wants to live on the dream that nobody considered possible at the beginning of the season – to move into the final. The atmosphere will be very special on Wednesday evening and the dome full of young fans, students, families – and again in the middle of it: “veteran” Harry Rupp. Just like back then.
And who knows: Maybe it will be celebrated again later in the old town of Heidelberg. Like 1977.
Broadcast on Wed., 4.6.2025 6:00 a.m., SWR Currently in the morning, SWR Current
