INDIANAPOLIS COLTS HONOR 2003 INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMIC ALL-STARS

 

The Indianapolis Colts will be honoring 24 high school student-athletes this Saturday, November 29 at 3:00 p.m. in the ATA South Lounge of the RCA Dome. 

                In conjunction with the Indiana High School Athletic Association and the Indiana Football Coaches Association, the Colts will cite 24 outstanding student-athletes with an award called the 2003 Indiana High School Academic All-Stars.  The citation corresponds with the state high school championship games taking place at the RCA Dome.

                The Colts, the IHSAA and the IFCA worked together for the past five years to identify the top student-athletes at each position.  The IFCA polled high school head coaches around the state, and the coaches tabbed approximately 125 players who ranked in the top ten percent of their respective classes.  The IFCA selection committee narrowed the list to 24 winners, and those chosen truly represent the spirit of the award.  Eighteen of the 24 honorees are either class valedictorian (15) or salutatorian (3). All of the 10 high school regions throughout the State of Indiana have an award-winner, and each of the state’s five classes is represented on the all-star team.

                The 24 2003 Indiana High School Academic All-Stars will be honored initially on Saturday, and they will be presented at halftime of the Colts-New England Patriots game on November 30 (kickoff is 1:00 p.m. ET).

                “On behalf of Jim Irsay and the Irsay family, and with deep appreciation for the IHSAA and IFCA, the Colts are pleased to honor 24 outstanding football players who represent their families and schools in an outstanding manner,” said Colts President Bill Polian.  “The dedication it takes to be an excellent achiever in the classroom and on the playing field is something that goes unnoticed too often.  This award honors those young men who carry themselves with dignity, integrity and a sense of purpose.  They, like many other students, possess the values cherished in young adults.  We are pleased to identify these individuals, and it will be an honor to recognize them on our playing field this Sunday.”

                “On behalf of the IFCA, this is a great opportunity to honor another group of outstanding high school student-athletes around the State of Indiana.  This is what the IFCA is all about, and we thank the coaches and parents who helped shape the lives of these young men,” said Mark A. Miller, athletic director and head football coach at Rochester High School and past IFCA president.  “Everyone I have talked with about this program is excited about the Indianapolis Colts’ participation with high schools.  We look forward to this being a long-lasting mutual relationship.”

Media members are invited to cover Saturday’s press conference.  Reporters and photographers covering the championship games may report to the ATA South Lounge by 2:45 p.m.  Reporters should take the elevator to the floor level and proceed through the glass doors straight-ahead to the lounge.  Photographers may reach the lounge via the stadium tunnels.  Media not attending the games, but wishing to cover the press conference may enter the RCA Dome at the Senate Street will call entrance.  For more information, please call Pamela Humphrey at (317) 808-5111.

 

 

2003 Indiana High School Academic All-Stars

 

OFFENSE

 

                                                Pos.        Name                           High School

                                    WR         Jeremy Schaeffer          Jasper

                                    WR         Ben Gettinger                Sullivan

                                    TE           Garrett Thiel                 Lowell

                                    OL          Mike Peters                  Jimtown                                

                                    OL          Eric Barnard                 Carroll                      

                                    OL          Jordan Birch                 Avon

                                    OL          Travis Kidwell               Danville                                

                                    OL          Jeff Taylor                    Elkhart Memorial

                                    QB          Ely Spears                    Eastside                    

                                    RB          Kyle Cepeda                 LaPorte                                

                                    RB          Greg Ellis                      Cloverdale                            

                                    PK          Patrick Cannon             Vincennes Lincoln

 

DEFENSE

 

                                                Pos.        Name                           High School

                                                DL          Jesse Kahle                  Southridge

                                    DL          Adam Williams              Princeton                              

                                    DL          Thomas Borders            Tell City

                                    DL          Andrew Rodenbarger    Valparaiso

                                    LB          Andy Zimmer                Calumet  

                                    LB          Andy Deeds                  North Miami             

                                    LB          Justin Sparks                 Southmont

                                    DB          Kevin Clark                  Alexandria                

                                    DB          Eric Reese                    John Glenn                

                                    DB          Jacob Simpson              Cascade                   

                                    DB          Adam Tucci                  Bloomington South

                                    P             Thomas Reives             Arsenal Tech