News
A Letter from the Commissioner
Buckle up, folks. Like many of you, I’ve been snowed in much of these past few weeks. That means I’ve spent a lot of time rubilating on the world’s problems, and I’m trying my best to fix them. After a few more lifetimes, I think I might be able to do it.
There’s one problem in front of us, though, that I need your help with: I want to be better at celebrating average.
That might sound controversial. Especially coming from the Commissioner of an Association that is responsible for celebrating the best in our State by crowning its champions. But if it is atypical to be a state champion, that means the typical—or average—experience for a student-athlete in Indiana is a career without a championship.
As proud as we are of those teams who earn state titles and student-athletes who have worked their way to the top of the podium, the measure of success for high school sports in Indiana must look beyond tournament wins. After all, half of the schools competing in any given state tournament are eliminated after the first night.
So, what does that mean? And how does that relate to celebrating average?
Success needs to be measured by what was learned rather than what was won. Since tournament wins and championships are exclusive by nature, they cannot adequately measure the development of an average student-athlete. Our measure of success needs to be something that can apply to the average student-athlete.
The way I see it, athletic opportunity in our state is a community resource. It’s a tool that I want to make available to every high school student with a desire to participate. I’m not suggesting that all high school teams eliminate cuts, or that a basketball team have unlimited roster spots. And I’m certainly not suggesting that we start giving out participation trophies.
Rather, I’m merely suggesting that, more than any contest win, our teams celebrate their biggest victory as the development of hard working, well-rounded, mentally tough young men and women.
I’m suggesting that, as a state, we recognize and protect one of the best community resources we have for ensuring a strong future for the next generation.
I’m suggesting that, as an Association, we find ways to celebrate the fact that the average student-athlete will learn more through battling adversity than they will by winning a tournament contest. They’ll be shaped by the lessons of their losses, and will grow as competitors, teammates, and humans because of it. That’s a victory greater than any trophy.
I was never a State Champion. Not even a Sectional Champion. Heck, I picked melons and worked the hayfields in Posey County, and didn’t think much beyond that growing up. But I wouldn’t be who I am today—or where I am today—if it weren’t for my experience in the second classroom of high school sports.
As Commissioner, I fully understand that it’s the IHSAA’s job to conduct tournaments and crown champions. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. But as Commissioner, I also recognize that it takes ALL of us to protect the experience that makes participating in high school sports a win for our student-athletes. And it takes all of us to make sure that win stays bigger than any trophy.
And as a thoroughly “average” Hoosier myself, that’s a win I can stand behind.
Paul Neidig
IHSAA Commissioner
#ThisIsYourIHSAA
The Power of Partnerships and Pure Hoops
Nothing beats basketball in Indiana. It’s who we are. To put it in perspective, over the course of Hoosier Hysteria, close to 10,000 Indiana student-athletes will represent their school communities as they compete for glory in the Girls and Boys Basketball State Tournaments.
And none of it would not be possible without the faithful support of the Indiana Fever and the Indiana Pacers—the presenting sponsors of the Girls and Boys Basketball Tournaments! Thank you for your continued partnership and the impact you make on Hoosier Hoops! #NowYouKnow #YesCers
We’re grateful to have dedicated partners that make it possible for Hoosiers to witness the next chapter of a storied tradition of our Hoosier state. And we’re incredibly proud of all of our Hoosier student-athletes who have put it on the line this basketball season.
This is the power true partnerships can bring. This is the power of pure hoops in Indiana. #ThisIsHoosierHysteria
IHSAA In-Store Appreciation Weekend at DICK’S Sporting Goods: March 13–16
In partnership with DICK’S Sporting Goods, we are pleased to offer a special discount weekend for all IHSAA student-athletes, coaches, parents, and member schools. Below is a digital coupon for 20% off your total in-store purchase and is valid March 13-16, 2026 at all Indiana locations.
Thank you to DSG for their partnership!
Libby Chang: Team Player
As one of the key members of the IHSAA team that oversees the Basketball State Tournaments, it is only fitting that this edition of the Spectator highlights Libby Chang!
Since she was hired at the Association during fall of the 2022-23 school year, Libby has had to wear many hats. She is currently the Tournament Administrator for Assistant Commissioner Brian Lewis, and assists with the State Tournaments for Girls & Boys Cross Country, Boys Basketball, and Unified ® Track & Field. She also assists with the recruitment, registration, and administration of all IHSAA Officials.
A proud graduate of Bremen High School and Purdue University, Libby bleeds black and gold (Boiler Up!). A perfect fit for the IHSAA, Libby loves going to sporting events, walking her mini Goldendoodle (Murphy), and enjoys game nights with friends.
Libby, thank you for all you do to serve Hoosier student-athletes, schools, and high school sports fans. We’re grateful to have a team player like you in our office!
Congratulations to Our Fall Champions
Girls Golf (Team)
Zionsville
Girls Golf (Individual)
Taylor Snively, Zionsville
Boys Tennis (Team)
Carmel
Boys Tennis (Singles)
Joe Garrean, Homestead
Boys Tennis (Doubles)
Ethan Cougill and Skyler Rose, Brownsburg
Unified® Flag Football
DeKalb
Girls Cross Country (Team)
Carmel
Girls Cross Country (Individual)
Libby Dowty, Indian Creek
Boys Cross Country (Team)
Columbus North
Boys Cross Country (Individual)
Calvin Seitz, Springs Valley
Girls Soccer – 1A
Heritage Christian
Girls Soccer – 2A
Mishawaka Marian
Girls Soccer – 3A
Hamilton Southeastern
Boys Soccer – 1A
Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian
Boys Soccer – 2A
Guerin Catholic
Boys Soccer – 3A
Carmel
Girls Volleyball – 1A
Trinity Lutheran
Girls Volleyball – 2A
Barr-Reeve
Girls Volleyball – 3A
Roncalli
Girls Volleyball – 4A
Carroll (Fort Wayne)
Football – 1A
South Putnam
Football – 2A
Andrean
Football – 3A
Cascade
Football – 4A
Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger
Football – 5A
New Palestine
Football – 6A
Brownsburg
Congratulations to the Fall IHSAA Mental Attitude Award Winners
Girls Golf
Ava South, Batesville
Boys Tennis
Andrew Kim, Carmel
Unified® Flag Football
Carter Thompson & Myles Dobson, DeKalb
Girls Cross Country
Libby Dowty, Indian Creek
Boys Cross Country
Noah Bontrager, Westview
Girls Soccer – 1A
Isabella Calentine, Bremen
Girls Soccer – 2A
Issy Wallace, Park Tudor
Girls Soccer – 3A
Blair Satterfield, Hamilton Southeastern
Boys Soccer – 1A
Carter Hartman, Indianapolis Scecina
Boys Soccer – 2A
Adam Jurewicz, Guerin Catholic
Boys Soccer – 3A
Joseph McKenna, Harrison (West Lafayette)
Girls Volleyball – 1A
Bailey Bonde, Trinity Lutheran
Girls Volleyball – 2A
Addison Jones, Barr-Reeve
Girls Volleyball – 3A
Reagan Turk, Roncalli
Girls Volleyball – 4A
Bailey Sinish, Carroll (Fort Wayne)
Football – 1A
Micah Rans, Pioneer
Football – 2A
Micah Sheffer, Brownstown Central
Football – 3A
Brady Trebley, Cascade
Football – 4A
Collin Ash, Roncalli
Football – 5A
Abe Walling, New Palestine
Football – 6A
Cash Ballard, Westfield
2025-26 IHSAA Winter State Championship Results and Details
Girls Wrestling – January 16
Recap
Girls Swimming & Diving — February 13–14
Recap
Boys Wrestling — February 20–22
Recap
Boys Swimming & Diving — February 27-28
Event Details
Girls Basketball — February 28
Event Details
Gymnastics — March 14
Event Details
Boys Basketball — March 28
Event Details