Page 24 - 2017-18 Boys Basketball State Finals Program

Richard Lugar Award

BOB GARDNER RECIPIENT OF RICHARD G. LUGAR AWARD

Executive Director of the NFHS, Bob Gardner, is on a national level. A principal and superintendent
the second annual recipient of the Richard G Lugar in the Milan Community School system, Gardner
Award for Distinguished Service to Interscholastic joined the IHSAA staff as an Assistant Commis-
Athletics. sioner in 1985, and was later appointed Commis-
sioner of the Association in 1995.
At halftime of the 4A state
championship game on Joining the National Federation of State High
Saturday night, Richard School Associations in 2000, Gardner later as-
Lugar, IHSAA Commissioner sumed the role of Executive Director in 2010, and
Bobby Cox and Jim Morris, has since led the organization’s focus on risk mini-
Vice Chairman of Pacers mization in high school sports, with particular em-
Sports and Entertainment, phasis on concussion awareness. He has brought
and Governor Eric Holcomb a heightened national presence to the work of the
will present the award to NFHS and its member state associations.
Bob Gardner.
A Hoosier legend, Gardner obtained his under-
After committing to a career in secondary educa- graduate degree from the university of Evansville,
tion that has spanned 48 years, Gardner will be and attended Ball State University for his master’s
retiring this August from his work that has impacted and Ed.S degree. He is a member of the Indiana
high schools in both local Indiana communities and High School Wrestling Hall of Fame, and has also
across the country. A three-sport athlete at Boon- served on the Board of Directors for USA Football,
ville High School, Gardner spent his entire career USA Basketball, and the Indiana Sports Corpora-
in Indiana while having an impact and awareness tion.

Outstanding Official

State’s Top Official

Each year, the Indiana High School Athletic Association the state finals for both girls basketball and football as well
honors an outstanding official in each sport during the State (three girls basketball finals and three football finals).
Final Tournament.
Gary was selected for this honor by a committee represent-
Gary Hamilton, of Franklin, ing the official’s associations. In Indiana, there are 24
is the recipient of the 2017- associations made up of more than 7,000 men and women
18 IHSAA Outstanding who give up much of their personal time to assist in provid-
Basketball Official award. ing wholesome, worthwhile, and healthy activities for the
As a member of the Indiana student-athletes in our state. Statewide, there are more
Officials Association, than 8,000 officials licensed by the IHSAA in 11 sports.
Gary has been a licensed
basketball official for the A 1978 graduate of Indian Creek, Gary is a sporting goods
past 37 years where he sales rep at The Winning Edge in Rochester. He is very ac-
has served as Basket- tive in his community, serving as an official for the Franklin
ball Chairperson for his Boys Club since 1982, and also working as a volunteer
association. During his official at the Outdoor Games for the Greenwood Parks
career, he’s officiated 30 Department. Gary and his wife have been married for 17
basketball sectional championships, 23 regionals, eight (8) years. He has three children – Erin (37), Brooke (31), and
semi-states, and four (4) state finals. In addition, Kirk is a Sara (31).
licensed football and baseball official, and he has refereed
24 IHSAA State Basketball Tournament presented by the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever