News
Unity
Letter From the Commissioner
As Hoosiers continue to battle the challenges of our Indiana winter, my thoughts continue to be drawn to one enduring concept: unity. The American poet Mattie Stepanek once wrote, "Unity is strength... when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved."
Interscholastic athletics provide the perfect arena to both teach and discover the power of unity. Whether we're observing the symphony of a finely tuned basketball squad or the collective battles of 14 individuals on the wrestling team, the unity of the squad will often dictate the success of the effort. These lessons are being taught by dedicated teachers and coaches in our member schools each and every day, and these trainings are invaluable to our youth.
Unity is also learned through the acts of inclusion and acceptance. In December of 2012, the IHSAA, through its Student Advisory Committee, formed a partnership with Special Olympics Indiana. Since then, IHSAA student athletes and Special Olympians have participated in dozens of awareness events across our state. Campaigns to "Spread the Word to End the Word" have been orchestrated by our students. Fundraising activities, such as participation in the Polar Plunge or the Plane Pull events, have bolstered efforts to provide opportunities for Special Olympians to participate in their state games and national events. Indiana student athletes are learning the power of unity through these experiences.
In November of 2013, the IHSAA Board of Directors approved a measure that will result in the first ever Unified Sports event in the history of our organization. This spring, students with intellectual disabilities will partner with regular education students from their school and collectively represent their colors as members of a Unified Track and Field team. You're invited to the state championship at Indiana University on June 7, 2014, where competition, acceptance, and unity will be celebrated.
The dynamic partnership between the IHSAA and Special Olympics Indiana has been titled "Champions Together." We encourage you to join in the inclusion revolution that's sweeping our state by attending and supporting the labors of our students in your communities. "Unity is strength... when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved."
Sincerely,
Bobby Cox
Commissioner
Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc.
Indiana Pacers, Fever to Sponsor IHSAA Basketball State Tournaments
The Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc. has announced an agreement with the Indiana Pacers (NBA) and the Indiana Fever (WNBA) to become the presenting sponsors of the IHSAA boys and girls basketball state tournaments.
The agreement begins with this year's tournament and continues through the 2016 state tournaments. Each year, the Pacers and Fever will sponsor and support both high school basketball state tournaments from the start of sectionals through the state finals.
The Pacers and Fever are believed to be the first professional basketball franchises in the country to partner with a state high school association and its tournaments. The Indianapolis Colts have been the presenting sponsor of the IHSAA state football tournament since 2009.
"The IHSAA is extremely pleased to join forces with the Indiana Pacers and the Indiana Fever in the promotion of education-based athletics in our state," said IHSAA Commissioner Bobby Cox. "Our partnership with these two storied franchises bolsters our commitment to ensuring that basketball remains an iconic mark of our state. I salute the leadership and vision of these two outstanding organizations in making this sponsorship a reality."
"Around the nation, the state of Indiana is known for many things," said Pacers Sports & Entertainment President Jim Morris. "Not the least of which is the sight of basketball backboards in driveways, on barns, and in playgrounds. Basketball, on all levels, is so important to our state, and the Pacers are very proud to partner with the IHSAA to help make high school basketball as great as it can be."
"Women's basketball in the state of Indiana is as good as anywhere in the country," said Fever President/GM Kelly Krauskopf. "On all levels, the state has produced NCAA titles, WNBA Champions, and Olympians. We know that every champion's career begins with youth sports, and we are proud of our partnership with the IHSAA."
Bob Kania Awarded NFHS Distinguished Active Official Award
Bob Kania from Osceola, Indiana has been awarded the Section 4 Distinguished Active Official Award by the Indianapolis-based National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) for 2013-14. Bob has served the IHSAA with excellence and has been a part of our officiating leadership for over forty years. During these years, Bob has served as the lead football rules interpreter for the IHSAA, making presentations across the state to licensed officials, local announcers, media, and coaches about various rules changes. Bob has been a licensed official in the sport of football for over fifty years. Throughout that time, he has refereed the IHSAA football state finals on four separate occasions. Bob's dedication to education-based athletics in our state is greatly appreciated, and we congratulate him on this well-deserved honor.
North Posey's Virgil Ferguson Nominated for National High School Spirit of Sport Award
North Posey High School Athletic Director Virgil Ferguson has been nominated by the Indiana High School Athletic Association for the National High School Spirit of Sport Award, an honor sponsored annually by the NFHS.
The award seeks to recognize those individuals who exemplify the ideals of the positive spirit of sport that represent the core mission of education-based athletics.
Whether he's scheduling or organizing an athletic event, hiring officials, working to improve facilities, or just spending time with coaches and student-athletes, Ferguson's spirit, passion, and dedication is on daily display.
Ferguson's service to the North Posey community, located near Evansville in southwestern Indiana, and its student-athletes was preceded by twenty years of service to our country.
He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1972 and worked as a Major General's enlisted aide at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. He was responsible for all classified correspondence of the General. He retired a Master Sergeant in 1993 and was recognized numerous times with awards like the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal, and the Humanitarian Medal.
It was also the time that his passion for athletics grew strong, as he also served as base athletic director for servicemen overseas and their activities.
Ferguson's spirit served him well in recovering from a liver transplant less than two years ago. He returned to his job and its 10-12 hour routine with renewed vigor and purpose just a few months later.
Even before the approval of his doctors, he was at his self-appointed spot as the welcoming agent for the IHSAA Student Leadership Conference. Ferguson personally greeted more than 1,000 student-athletes from across the Hoosier State as they arrived and departed their buses.
"Personally, it's incredible to see Virgil back on a daily basis after witnessing the struggles he faced and lived with while waiting for a liver transplant," said Forest Park Athletic Director Doug Louden. "Virgil has always been a people-person and a person I've admired. I can tell by talking with the students at North Posey that he has a great relationship with them. His enthusiasm and energy carries over not only to the student-athletes, but to his coaches and community as well."
His story will be entered into regional competition with other nominees being considered for the national award by the NFHS. The overall national winner will be recognized at the NFHS Summer Meetings in Boston this June.
The IHSAA is proud to join North Posey High School in recognizing the example set by Virgil Ferguson, selected from the following 21 nominations.
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Jordan Aubrey Hill |
Anderson High School |
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Victoria S. Yagodinski |
Angola High School |
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Samantha Kaye Girot |
Connersville High School |
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Michael Gaines |
Fishers High School |
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Kurt Tippmann |
Fort Wayne Snider High School |
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Larry Dafforn |
Fort Wayne Wayne High School |
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Tod Boise |
Guerin Catholic High School |
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Whitaker Earl Rapp |
Guerin Catholic High School |
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Caitlyn Elizabeth Rose |
Hamilton High school |
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Kyle Matthew McWilliams |
Jasper High School |
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Dusty Duke Minix |
Knox Community High School |
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Skyler Payne Booth |
Lakeland High School |
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Boys Basketball Team |
Marquette Catholic High School |
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Virgil Ferguson |
North Posey High School |
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Jacqueline Marie Fitzgerald |
Oldenburg Academy |
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Jennifer Houln |
Plymouth High School |
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Jessica Oliver |
Plymouth High School |
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Casey Brooke Yager |
Rushville Consolidated High School |
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Jacob D. Covert |
Sheridan High School |
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Van Lian |
Southport High School |
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Cody Thompson |
Southridge High School |
IHSAA Officials: Communication and Continuing Education
The IHSAA will be conducting its second annual Officials' Summit on July 26 and 27, 2014 at Zionsville West Middle School. The purpose of this conference is to continue to provide an occasion for our licensed contest officials to engage in meaningful conversations with fellow officials, coaches, and athletic administrators. The conference also provides informative workshop sessions on issues important to our officiating community along with an opportunity to recognize officials who've provided noteworthy and dedicated service.
NFHS State and Section Coach of the Year Award Winners
The NFHS recognizes Coach of the Year candidates at the state, section, and national levels. The IHSAA assists in this acknowledgment and celebrates the selection of the following coaches and their service to the youth of our state.
NFHS State Coach of the Year Winners for Indiana
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Harmony Ake |
Joseph Golden |
NFHS Section 4 Coach of the Year Winners From Indiana
(Section 4 includes Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin)
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Michael Bostic |
Bart Curtis |
IHSAA Sportsmanship Award Winners for 2012-13
The IHSAA is proud to recognize 110 member schools that achieved a sportsmanship award during the past school year. A sportsmanship award is presented when a school incurs no violations of IHSAA by-laws, has no players or coaches ejected from an interscholastic contest, and actively maintains a sportsmanship program at its school. The IHSAA congratulates the schools listed below for their exemplary efforts. The names that are bolded and underlined are the schools receiving a sportsmanship award for the first time.
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Adams Central |
Lawrenceburg |
2013-14 State Champions: Fall
Girls Golf
- Team: Carmel
- Medalist: Harley Dubsky, 12, Valparaiso
Boys Tennis
- Team: North Central (Indianapolis)
- Singles: Danny Rayl, 11, Park Tudor
- Doubles: Patrick McAuley, 11 | William Reifeis, 12, North Central (Indianapolis)
Girls Soccer
- 1A: West Lafayette
- 2A: Avon
Boys Soccer
- 1A: Guerin Catholic
- 2A: Crown Point
Girls Cross Country
- Team: Carmel
- Medalist: Kelcy Welch, 12, Carmel
Boys Cross Country
- Team: Carmel
- Medalist: Jackson Bertoli, 12, Terre Haute South
Volleyball
- 1A: Barr-Reeve
- 2A: Providence
- 3A: Brebeuf Jesuit
- 4A: Avon
Football
- 1A: Tri-Central
- 2A: Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter
- 3A: Andrean
- 4A: Columbus East
- 5A: Indianapolis Cathedral
- 6A: Warren Central
2013-14 Mental Attitude Award Winners: Fall
Girls Golf
- Harley Dubsky, Valparaiso
Boys Tennis
- Brad Wuthrich, Delta
Girls Soccer
- 1A: Sylvia Adler, Gibson Southern
- 2A: Sarah Zolcak, Avon
Boys Soccer
- 1A: Doug Kaskie, Guerin Catholic
- 2A: Jonathan Kopp, Avon
Girls Cross Country
- Kelcy Welch, Carmel
Boys Cross Country
- Robert Browning, Carmel
Volleyball
- 1A: Jenna Knepp, Barr-Reeve
- 2A: Abby Spitznagel, Providence
- 3A: Sierra Witham, Brebeuf Jesuit
- 4A: Rachel Griffin, Avon
Football
- 1A: Sam Carlton, Eastern Hancock
- 2A: Dan Fesenmeier, Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter
- 3A: Eddie Barks, Brebeuf Jesuit
- 4A: Seth Frownfelter, Columbus East
- 5A: Mitch Turley, Westfield
- 6A: Vic Roe, Carmel
- February 25: Boys Swimming & Diving Regionals
- February 28, March 1: Boys Swimming & Diving State Finals
- March 1: Girls Basketball Semi-States
- March 4, 7, 8: Boys Basketball Sectionals
- March 7, 8: Gymnastics Sectionals
- March 8: Girls Basketball State Finals
- March 14: Gymnastics Regionals
- March 15: Boys Basketball Regionals
- March 22: Boys Basketball Semi-States, Gymnastics State Finals
- March 29: Boys Basketball State Finals