News

 

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A Letter From the Commissioner

On my journey to becoming commissioner, I was first an educator in the classroom as a shop teacher. It may be surprising to some that my experience helping students learn how to build things is incredibly relatable to my current work in education-based athletics.

An example that helps illustrate this is when my shop students were building balsa wood bridges. The value of the assignment wasn’t in the finished bridge that my students created. The value and reward were found in the act of constructing it.

The same goes for education-based athletics. It’s the journey that’s worth more than any measurable outcome.

For administrators, coaches, players, and fans, the most important aspects of the journey are often overlooked because we’re too fixated on the wrong goals, like hoisting a trophy, entering the record books, or scoring a scholarship. But those things are just like a balsa wood bridge—they’re simply a symbol of the learning that took place.

What should the goal of participating in education-based athletics be if it’s not winning or securing accolades? As a shop teacher and commissioner, I’ll tell you: The goal is for student-athletes to strengthen themselves both mentally and physically. The wonderful news is that that outcome is possible for every student-athlete who participates, whether their respective team goes undefeated or finishes the season winless.

As we wrap up our winter sports season, I ask that we keep our goals in perspective as we move into spring. We cannot get trapped into evaluating the entire season by wins and losses and statistical achievements. We must evaluate ourselves and every individual based on the day before, and we must remember that we’re all on a journey.

It’s the journey that teaches student-athletes to develop grit and to learn how to persevere and overcome adversity both individually and with others. If we continue to see education-based athletics for that purpose, every season becomes a winning season.

To the journey,

 

 

Paul Neidig
IHSAA Commissioner
#ThisIsYourIHSAA

 

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North Posey student and SAC member Ashton Elpers Jr. (left), Lanesville Math teacher Audrey Brown (left center), IHSAA Assistant Commissioner Janie Ulmer (center), Bethany Christian Math teacher Renae Yoder (right center), and East Central student and SAC member Jorjia Ferguson Jr. (right) pose at center court of the Class 1A Girls Basketball State Finals for the inaugural IHSAA Champion of Education Award presentation.

 

Honoring Indiana's Champions of Education

As an organization that emphasizes keeping education at the forefront of high school athletics, the IHSAA is proud to shine a light on educators from our member schools who go above and beyond to help Hoosier high school students become the best versions of themselves.

During every game of the Girls Basketball State Finals, the Association recognized a teacher from each state finalist school with the inaugural Champion of Education Award. Assistant Commissioner Janie Ulmer presented the eight teachers with their awards at half court of Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with each honoree receiving deafening cheers from the entire crowd.  

Here are the inaugural winners of the first ever IHSAA Champion of Education Award:

Audrey Brown, Lanesville

A Math and Algebra teacher at Lanesville, Mrs. Brown is a fixture at Lanesville Basketball games throughout the season and even has action shots of her students hanging in her classroom. Mrs. Brown understands the importance of the role she has in her student’s lives and goes the extra mile to make lifelong connections.

Renae Yoder, Bethany Christian

A multi-level Math teacher at Bethany Christian, Renae supports student-athletes by keeping stats for both boys’ and girls’ basketball teams and the girls’ volleyball team. Renae's intentionality and work ethic leave a lasting effect on all students and student-athletes who come through Bethany.

Josh Strange, Lapel

Mr. Strange—a Social Studies teacher—is often on the sidelines supporting Lapel student-athletes. Mr. Strange has endeared himself to his students because he is a genuine human being who is always willing to sacrifice his time and energy to make his student's learning experience fulfilling and memorable.

Lavina Begle, Forest Park

On top of being a Math and Geometry teacher, Mrs. Begle is also an assistant coach for the Forest Park girls’ basketball team and has given tremendous effort in building youth girls’ basketball programs in the community. She goes above and beyond to provide students with opportunities to build their self-confidence, leadership skills, and sense of community.

Dr. William Royalty, Corydon Central

Dr. Royalty, a Science teacher at Corydon Central, is an avid supporter of all Panther student-athletes. Dr. Royalty often sends emails of encouragement to students before and after games and always takes time out of his schedule to make sure students are succeeding, both personally and academically.

Ryan LeCount, Fairfield

A Government and Economics teacher at Fairfield High School, Mr. LeCount is constantly encouraging students in and out of the classroom and is a positive influence for students and staff alike. Mr. LeCount shows genuine care for his students and loves to cheer them on at their various sporting events.

Lance Kuhn, Fishers

A Chemistry teacher at Fishers High School, Mr. Kuhn always pushes students to be at their best in the classroom and when competing. Mr. Kuhn is an avid supporter of Fishers girls’ basketball, and also coaches girls cross country and girls track and field.

Amy Scarpellini, Bedford North Lawrence

Mrs. Scarpellini is a beloved Speech and Creative Writing teacher at Bedford North Lawrence. She goes above and beyond for BNL students by attending their games, performances, and various extracurricular activities and always motivates students to do their best.

On behalf of all 407 member schools, we again want to say thank you to our educators for their invaluable service to Indiana’s school communities in helping Hoosier high school students become the best versions of themselves. We look forward to continuing to recognize more Champions of Education at the Boys Basketball State Finals!

 

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A Public Service Announcement:
Proud to Keep Education in Front of Athletics

The Association is thrilled to share our newly produced video PSAs.

Promoting the life lessons instilled by an education-based athletics curriculum, the original 60-second version (embedded above) has also been condensed into 30-second and 15-second versions. Upon viewing, we know you will agree that education-based programs are what make high school sports in Indiana special.

These videos were supplied to all member-schools already. However, for any administrators who need them resent, please contact Heath Shanahan.

Here’s to keeping education in front of athletics!

 

 

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Let's Give It Up for Our Presenting Partners

Hoosier Hysteria continues with the Boys Basketball Semi-States this Saturday! We want to congratulate and wish the best of luck to every student-athlete competing! #ThisIsHoosierHysteria

And we especially want to thank the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever, presenting partners of the Boys and Girls Basketball State Tournaments! You know better than anyone that in 49 states, it's just basketball. But this is Indiana. Thank you for embracing high school basketball in the great Hoosier State!

 

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Congratulations to Our Fall Champions

Sport	Class	Champion
Girls Golf (Team)	--	Carmel
Girls Golf (Individual)	--	Ava Bunker, Columbus North
Boys Tennis (Team)	--	North Central (Indianapolis)
Boys Tennis (Singles)	--	Aaron Gu, Harrison (West Lafayette)
Boys Tennis (Doubles)	--	Akshay Guttikonda and Owen Larrimer, North Central (Indianapolis)
Girls Cross Country (Team)	--	Noblesville
Girls Cross Country (Individual)	--	Lily Cridge, Indianapolis Bishop Chatard
Boys Cross Country (Team)	--	Carmel
Boys Cross Country (Individual)	--	Kole Mathison, Carmel
Unified® Flag Football	--	Brownsburg
Girls Soccer	1A	Park Tudor
Girls Soccer	2A	Evansville Memorial
Girls Soccer	3A	Noblesville
Boys Soccer	1A	Park Tudor
Boys Soccer	2A	Brebeuf Jesuit
Boys Soccer	3A	Noblesville
Volleyball	1A	Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian
Volleyball	2A	Wapahani
Volleyball	3A	Providence
Volleyball	4A	Hamilton Southeastern
Football	1A	Indianapolis Lutheran
Football	2A	Evansville Mater Dei
Football	3A	Indianapolis Bishop Chatard
Football	4A	East Central
Football	5A	Valparaiso
Football	6A	Center Grove

 

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Congratulations to the Fall IHSAA Mental Attitude Award Winners

Sport	Class	Winner	School
Girls Golf	--	Eleanor Teglia	Culver Academies
Boys Tennis	--	Aaron Gu	Harrison (West Lafayette)
Unified® Flag Football	--	Scotty Tienda and Carson Knox	Brownsburg
Girls Cross Country	--	Bridget Gallagher	Guerin Catholic
Boys Cross Country	--	Kole Mathison	Carmel
Girls Soccer	1A	Katie Hur	Park Tudor
Girls Soccer	2A	Emily Mattingly	Evansville Memorial
Girls Soccer	3A	Aubree Empie	Carmel
Boys Soccer	1A	Parker Satre	Greenwood Christian
Boys Soccer	2A	Stefan Boes	Brebeuf Jesuit
Boys Soccer	3A	Flynn Keele	Columbus North
Volleyball	1A	Brianna Marx	Tecumseh
Volleyball	2A	Reese Baker	Wapahani
Volleyball	3A	Grace Purichia	Providence
Volleyball	4A	Avery Hobson	Hamilton Southeastern
Football	1A	Micah Mackay	Indianapolis Lutheran
Football	2A	Joey Pierre	Evansville Mater Dei
Football	3A	Aiden Duncan	Indianapolis Bishop Chatard
Football	4A	Christian Garrison	East Central
Football	5A	Connor McCall	Valparaiso
Football	6A	Jorge Valdes	Carroll (Fort Wayne)

 

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2022-23 IHSAA Winter State Championship Events

Girls Swimming & Diving | February 10–11
Indiana University Natatorium, IUPUI, Indianapolis

Boys Wrestling | February 17–18
Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis

Boys Swimming & Diving | February 24–25
Indiana University Natatorium, IUPUI, Indianapolis

Girls Basketball | February 25
Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis

Gymnastics | March 11
Worthen Arena, Ball State University, Muncie

Boys Basketball | March 25
Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis