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The Spectator Newsletter: Fall 2024

Posted: November 25, 2024
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Header image of a tennis player with text: The Spectator - Official Newsletter of the IHSAA.

 


 

A Letter From the Commissioner

You often hear our team at the IHSAA preach about the life lessons learned through education-based athletics. Learning the importance of teamwork, a strong work ethic, and how to overcome adversity create the basis for a toolbox that will forever be of service.

Sometimes, though, it’s human nature to forget lessons. It can be easy to overlook tools we have at our disposal or ignore the things that we know to be true. One tool that comes to mind—a lesson that many student-athletes have heard countless times during the course of this fall season—is the ability to focus on the things that we can control.

So many times during the course of a season or school year, we get caught worrying about things that are outside of our control. What will the weather be like on Friday night? What if we get a bad draw in the tournament? What if every parent has an issue with playing time this year?

But as we learn through education-based athletics, when we take care of the things within our control—like our effort, our attitude, and how we treat each other—those “other” things tend to take care of themselves.

Control the controllable.

In reflecting on the fall season, I was reminded of how this fundamental lesson has served our Association as a whole over the past year.

Our member schools prioritized the learning and growth of their student-athletes over winning at all costs. Our athletic programs remained dedicated to the values and spirit of the communities they represent. We kept education in front of athletics in order to serve our student-athletes and our communities. We didn’t worry about things we couldn’t control. We stayed focused.

And as a result, our membership has thrived.

Over the past year, the Association has seen an increase in gate revenue at athletic events. Money from broadcasting fees and corporate partnerships have continued to support programs. During the 2023-24 school year, the IHSAA returned over $3 million to member schools. That’s the most the Association has ever been able to distribute back to its membership.

It’s an accomplishment we should all be proud of. One that came as a result of controlling what we can control, together.

That’s what we’re focused on in Indiana—controlling the controllable. I’m thankful we have that tool in our toolbox. And I thank you for helping remind me of it.

 

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Paul Neidig headshot.
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Paul Neidig's signature.

 


Paul Neidig
IHSAA Commissioner
#ThisIsYourIHSAA

 


 

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Header image of Lucas Oil Stadium with Colts logo, IHSAA logo, and text: Thank you!

 

The Indianapolis Colts: Champions of High School Sports

For over 15 remarkable years, the Indianapolis Colts have been redefining what it means to be a champion of high school sports.

The first-ever NFL team to sponsor a state high school association, the Colts partnered with the IHSAA starting in 2008 as the presenting partner of the Association’s State Football Tournament. Over the past decade and a half, their support of high school football in Indiana has helped inspire a new generation of student-athletes.

The IHSAA is incredibly proud of our partnership with the Indianapolis Colts. Together, we wish the best to all who are competing in this weekend’s Football State Finals.

 


 

Become an IHSAA Official

We all know that competition cannot take place without contest officials. And the reality is, some of our contests literally aren’t able to happen because of a lack of officials. If your school community has experienced the adverse effects of the official shortage taking place across the county, share the message below to your social media account and encourage those in your circle to consider becoming an IHSAA contest official.

If you already are an IHSAA official, we extend a heartfelt thank you for helping make high school sports possible this school year. We are truly grateful for everything you do!

 

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IHSAA officials on the job, with text: Become an IHSAA official - Text OFFICIAL to 317-943-9030.

🚨 TIMEOUT 🚨
Think you've got what it takes to officiate a high school athletic contest?
Our school and teams need your help! Without officials, we can’t have games!
Text “OFFICIAL” to 317-943-9030 to sign up today!
#ThisIsYourIHSAA

 

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The Keeper of the Books

For nearly 20 years, Dean Rubeck has been our “scorekeeper.” As the Association’s Controller since February of 2005, Dean oversees our financials with meticulous attention to detail. 

As far as office knowledge, Dean goes much deeper than numbers. He is your one loyal source for any office scuttlebutt. Dean’s loyalty extends beyond the office and his coworkers—it’s a hallmark of who he is. He is a frequent visitor of New Orleans, where he can be spotted enjoying a prickly pear margarita. Dean is also a collector of classic cars, including a Model-T and Studebaker Avanti. And when it comes to snack drawers, no drawer is higher-end than Dean Rubeck’s.

As Dean approaches his 20th anniversary, we celebrate the expertise, passion, and pleasant spirit he brings to the Association. Dean, we are grateful to have been able to count on you for two decades!

 

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Dean Rubeck's headshot.

 


 

Congratulations to Our Spring Champions

Sport

Class

Champion

Girls Tennis (Team)

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South Bend Saint Joseph

Girls Tennis (Singles)

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Kathryn Wilson, Columbus North

Girls Tennis (Doubles)

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Paige Geisler and
Reese Mundy, Jasper

Girls Track & Field

--

Warren Central

Boys Track & Field

--

Fishers

Unified® Track & Field

--

Elkhart

Boys Golf

--

Zionsville

Softball

1A

Rossville

Softball

2A

Cascade

Softball

3A

Western

Softball

4A

Hamilton Southeastern

Baseball

1A

Barr-Reeve

Baseball

2A

Providence

Baseball

3A

New Prairie

Baseball

4A

Lake Central

 


 

Congratulations to the Spring IHSAA
Mental Attitude Award Winners

Sport

Class

Winner

School

Girls Tennis (Team)

--

Molly Bellia

South Bend
Saint Joseph

Girls Track & Field

--

Hadley Lucas

Bloomington North

Boys Track & Field

--

Jonathan Sever

Franklin Community

Unified® Track & Field

--

Gavin Adams and
Peyton Shute

Bloomington South

Boys Golf

--

Aidan Gutierrez

Valparaiso

Softball

1A

Jenna Donohoo

Tecumseh

Softball

2A

Krystin Davis

Lapel

Softball

3A

Taylor Bennett

Tri-West Hendricks

Softball

4A

Sydney Oliver

New Palestine

Baseball

1A

Ethan Graber

Barr-Reeve

Baseball

2A

Luke Kruer

Providence

Baseball

3A

Tyson Greenwood

New Prairie

Baseball

4A

Hogan Denny

Mooresville

 


 

2024-25 IHSAA Fall State Championship Events

Girls Golf — October 4–5
Results | Recap

Boys Tennis — October 18–19
Results | Recap

Unified® Flag Football — October 19
Results | Recap

Girls Soccer — November 1–2
Results | 1A Recap | 2A Recap | 3A Recap

Boys Soccer — November 1–2
Results | 1A Recap | 2A Recap | 3A Recap

Girls Cross Country — November 2
Results | Recap

Boys Cross Country — November 2
Results | Recap

Girls Volleyball — November 9
Results | 1A Recap | 2A Recap | 3A Recap | 4A Recap

Football — November 29–30
Results | 1A Recap | 2A Recap | 3A Recap | 4A Recap | 5A Recap | 6A Recap