Blue Chips ‘Returns’ to Case Arena to Celebrate 30 Year Anniversary

The movie Blue Chips was filmed in Frankfort in 1993.   Blue Chips premiered in Frankfort and was released by Paramount Pictures on February 14, 1994.  The film unfolds as a college basketball coach (Nick Nolte) finds himself on the brink of a losing season.  He forms a plan to recruit a winning team.  The star-studded film featured Nick Nolte, Larry Bird, Matt Painter, Shaquille O’Neal, Bobby Knight, Matt Nover, Anthony Hall, Penny Hardaway, Mary McDonnell and many others.  Case Arena was used for several critical scenes in the movie and was a perfect venue for filming the 1 hour 48 minute movie.  Case arena was packed several nights while the filming took place.

On Saturday, January 13, 2024 in Case Arena, the Frankfort Hot Dogs (dressed in Western University Dolphin Jerseys!) will take on the Rossville Hornets, complete with a re-logoed floor, t-shirts, memorabilia on display, music score played by the FHS band, special guests and more.

The event is the brainchild of Chief Academic Officer Eric Farley and Frankfort Athletic Director Ed Niehaus.  Farley and Niehaus gave a presentation to Frankfort Rotary Thursday at noon at Arborwood.  Tickets will be available for $6.00 each or $20.00 with a commemorative T-shirt made for the event. 

Frankfort Athletes are planning a dinner catered by Slabby’s BBQ for a fundraiser and presale tickets will be available on line.

Listen to WILO and read Clinton County Daily News for more information as it is released.




Case Arena was used to film critical parts of the Hollywood movie “Blue Chips” released in 1994. Photo by Erick Dircks