News
A Letter From the Commissioner
As Commissioner of the IHSAA, I try my hardest to keep education at the forefront of Indiana high school athletics. I realize that task is impossible to accomplish without the help of dedicated coaches and teachers, all of whom deserve our collective gratitude. But I also know that parents—who can be educators in their own right—play a vital role in making sure education stays in front of athletics as well.
As a parent of three children myself—all of whom played sports in high school—I understand one of the toughest things to do is sit on the sidelines (both literally and figuratively). And that becomes increasingly difficult when we see our student-athletes struggling or even failing to achieve a goal we know they so desperately want. But as a parent, taking a step back in those moments is when we’re doing our part to put education first.
As frustrating as failure or slow progress can be, the truth is that it’s a part of life. While we live in a world that celebrates instant gratification and encourages cutting corners, there are invaluable lessons that education-based athletics can help teach: accountability, the drive and determination necessary to achieve a goal, how to handle disappointment without giving up or giving in. These are values and skills that can change our student-athletes’ lives beyond the playing field.
At its best, life lessons and experiences like these are what education-based athletics are all about. That’s why we should encourage student-athletes to own their effort. Doing so allows them to figure out for themselves what it takes to succeed. They’ll experience how satisfying it feels to achieve something that they’ve worked their tail off for. We’re enabling them to grow. That’s the purpose of high school sports. Our student-athletes will never have a better, safer opportunity to gain the fortitude, humility, and mindset that will allow them to achieve in the future.
Despite how much we want to sometimes, we can’t solve our children’s problems for them. We can’t protect them from the heartache of failure, but we can give them the opportunity to learn how to navigate those challenges on their own. We can teach them. As Winston Churchill once said, “Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue on that counts.”
That’s a lesson I’m thankful our kids have the opportunity to learn in the setting of education-based athletics.
Thank you for helping teach it.
Paul Neidig
IHSAA Commissioner
#ThisIsYourIHSAA
Let's Give It Up for the Indianapolis Colts
With the IHSAA Football State Tournament underway, we want to recognize our MVPs and presenting partners, the Indianapolis Colts! This tournament is only made possible because of their faithful support, so thank you to the Colts for their continued partnership and statewide influence on the Indiana football community!
Good luck to all the student-athletes and schools participating in the tournament! Anything can happen under the Friday night lights, so push yourselves and give it all you’ve got. Know we’re cheering you on every step of the way!
New IHSAA Assistant Commissioner Janie Ulmer (center) grabs a photo with soccer tournament directors Jim Self (left) and Bryce Barton (right) following the conclusion of the 2022 State Finals. Administering the Boys and Girls Soccer State Tournaments are now a part of Ulmer's official duties.
Welcome to Assistant Commissioner Janie Ulmer
The IHSAA is thrilled to introduce our new Assistant Commissioner Janie Ulmer!
A career educator, Ulmer came to the IHSAA having spent five years with Hamilton Southeastern Schools, the last two as principal of Hamilton Southeastern High School in Fishers. Previously, she served as Director of the Hamilton Southeastern Fishers Academy in addition to spending 24 years in the LaPorte Community School Corporation, both as a middle school math teacher and as a Director of Virtual Learning for the alternative high school.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Valparaiso University and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from American College of Education in Chicago. She also played varsity basketball at LaPorte High School and later served as an assistant coach.
Ulmer was appointed Assistant Commissioner of the Association in July. She is responsible for administering the sports of Girls Basketball, Girls Gymnastics, Boys and Girls Soccer, and Boys and Girls Track & Field.
“I am extremely pleased to welcome Janie Ulmer to the IHSAA Executive Staff,” said Commissioner Paul Neidig. “Her experience as a leader in education will prove invaluable as we continue our efforts to promote the ideals of education-based athletics for Hoosier students.”
Welcome aboard, Assistant Commissioner Ulmer!
As a career educator, Ulmer (right) understands the value that education-based athletics—such as Unified® Track & Field—have on a school community. The sense of inclusion they create for ALL student-athletes is an important component to a healthy educational experience.
Congratulations to Our Spring State Champions
|
Sport |
Class |
School |
|---|---|---|
|
Girls Track & Field |
-- |
North Central (Indianapolis) |
|
Boys Track & Field |
-- |
Plainfield |
|
Unified® Track & Field |
-- |
Bedford |
|
Girls Tennis |
-- |
Carmel |
|
Boys Golf |
-- |
Guerin Catholic |
|
Softball |
1A |
Tecumseh |
|
Softball |
2A |
Eastside |
|
Softball |
3A |
South Bend St. Joseph |
|
Softball |
4A |
Roncalli |
|
Baseball |
1A |
Lafayette Central Catholic |
|
Baseball |
2A |
Illiana Christian |
|
Baseball |
3A |
Andrean |
|
Baseball |
4A |
Penn |
Congratulations to the Spring IHSAA
Mental Attitude Award Winners
|
Sport |
Class |
Winner |
School |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Girls Track & Field |
-- |
Hope Fox |
East Central |
|
Boys Track & Field |
-- |
Leo Maxwell |
East Central |
|
Unified® Track & Field |
-- |
Tanner Robbins |
Bedford North Lawrence |
|
Girls Tennis |
-- |
Gwendolyn Clark |
Delta |
|
Boys Golf |
-- |
Carter Smith |
Silver Creek |
|
Softball |
1A |
Lauren Bowmar |
South Central |
|
Softball |
2A |
Skyelar Kessler |
Eastside |
|
Softball |
3A |
McKenna Hagemier |
Tri-West Hendricks |
|
Softball |
4A |
Hannah Lovelace |
Harrison |
|
Baseball |
1A |
Justin Brady |
Lafayette |
|
Baseball |
2A |
Keegen Schlotterbeck |
Centerville |
|
Baseball |
3A |
Andrew Dutkanych IV |
Brebeuf Jesuit |
|
Baseball |
4A |
Ben Gregory |
Penn |
2022-23 IHSAA Fall State Championship Events
Girls Golf | September 30–October 1
Prairie View Golf Club, Carmel
Boys Tennis (Team) | October 14–15
North Central High School, Indianapolis
Unified® Flag Football | October 15
Grand Park Sports Event Center, Westfield
Boys Tennis (Individual) | October 21–22
Park Tudor School, Indianapolis
Boys Soccer & Girls Soccer | October 28–29
Michael Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium, IUPUI, Indianapolis
Boys Cross Country & Girls Cross Country | October 29
LaVern Gibson Cross Country Course, Wabash Valley Sports Center, Terre Haute
Volleyball | November 5
Worthen Arena, Ball State, Muncie
Football | November 25–26
Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis