Page 5 - 2025-26 Football State Finals Program

Welcome to this 2025-26 IHSAA Board of Directors and

State Championship Event Executive Committee

The IHSAA State Finals are a time for celebration
and reflection. While we celebrate the triumphs and Special Thanks To Our Host The IHSAA is governed by its legislative body, the Board of Directors. Composed of 19 individuals elected by member
achievements of the student-athletes competing today, school principals from three legislative districts, they serve staggered three-year terms. Twelve board seats are filled by
we’re also able to reflect on what makes high school Lucas Oil Stadium any qualified individual (open seats), and seven board seats are filled by two qualified female representatives, two qualified
sports special here in Indiana. 500 South Capitol Avenue minority representatives, two qualified urban school representatives and one private school representative. The Board of
Directors meets annually with the responsibility of establishing the Association’s By-Laws and regulations.
Indianapolis, Indiana 46255
Each year, over 1 million
Hoosiers attend IHSAA Executive Director Andy Mallon The Executive Committee meets monthly and is responsible for organizing and directing state tournaments and meets,
tournament contests. Stadium Director Eric Neuburger interpreting the Association’s By-Laws, determining penalties for rules violations, and establishing the Association’s state
The atmosphere fans Event Coordinator Isaac Wright office and employing a commissioner and staff to administer the Association.
bring to our State Ticket Office Manager Hannah Jenkins
Championships Security Manager Paul Suiters IHSAA Board of Directors Term Ends IHSAA Executive Committee
District, Seat
Board Member
transforms them from District I, Class A Tom Finicle, Southwood June 2026 Larry Cochren, Washington (Chairman)
just another event into a State Finals Personnel District I, Class AA Paul Voigt, Churubusco June 2027 Jim Brown, Fishers (Vice-Chairman)
true celebration. A District I, Class AAA Ryan Harrington, Highland June 2026 Stacy Adams, Valparaiso
District I, Class AAAA
Jeff Hamstra, Chesterton**
June 2027
celebration of the Tournament Administrator Tom Black, East Central
passion and pageantry Robert Faulkens, IHSAA Assistant Commissioner District II, Class A Martin Brown, North Vermillion June 2027 Martin Brown, North Vermillion
Hoosier high school Assistant Tournament Administrator District II, Class AA Jeremy Dexter, Western Boone June 2026 Chris Conley, Cowan
sports are known for. Kayley Howell, IHSAA Administrative Assistant District II, Class AAA Chris Conley, Cowan June 2027 Jeremy Dexter, Western Boone
Jim Brown, Fishers
District II, Class AAAA
June 2026
Every fan of our high Public Address Jeff Doyle, Barr-Reeve
school sports Geoffrey Miller, Chad Niccum District III, Class A Jeff Doyle, Barr-Reeve June 2026 Kyle Duncan, Brownsburg
community—every Scoreboard and Clock District III, Class AA Tim Grove, Linton-Stockton June 2027 Tom Fincile, Southwood
District III, Class AAA
Larry Cochren, Washington
June 2026
student, coach, and bus driver, every parent, sister, Dave Morton, Rick Frank, Pete Olson District III, Class AAAA Tom Black, East Central* June 2027 Chad Gilbert, Charlestown
and brother—contributes to this celebration whenever Tournament Operations Stephanie Gillett, Heritage Christian
they attend a State Finals event. That’s because by Trael Kelly, Greg Miller, Andy Simpson, Kevin Mikesell North District, Female Patti McCormack, Lowell June 2028 Tim Grove, Linton-Stockton
attending the State Finals and cheering for their North District, Minority Stacy Adams, Valparaiso June 2028 Jeff Hamstra, Chesterton
June 2028
Brian Strong, Logansport
North District, Urban
school, fans are supporting and fostering so much National Anthem Ryan Harrington, Highland
more than great competition… Friday: Kayla Schlatter, West Central High School South District, Female Kris Painter, Terre Haute North Vigo June 2028 Patti McCormack, Lowell
Saturday: Rose Shomali, Beech Grove High School South District, Minority Kyle Duncan, Brownsburg June 2028 Kris Painter, Terre Haute North Vigo
They’re supporting exactly what makes high school South District, Urban Chad Gilbert, Charlestown June 2028 Brian Strong, Logansport
sports different. For over 100 years, the IHSAA has Class 1A Officials - James Craig, Mark Mettler, Private School Rep. Stephanie Gillett, Heritage Christian June 2028 Paul Voigt, Churubusco
focused on keeping education in front of athletics by James Payne, Mark Herberger, Jaylen Harris * President ** Vice-President
providing an arena for our state’s 160,000 Class 2A Officials - Steve Hoffman, Clayton Randolph,
student-athletes to learn essential life lessons. Andrew Thomas, Aaron Selby, Chad Hodges
Lessons in teamwork, perseverance, and humility. Class 3A Officials - Todd Maiden, Kent Adams, Chris Walsh to be Honored as State’s Top Official
Lessons that will translate to their careers as they
transition into adulthood. Lessons that will benefit and Elmer H. Oaks III, Andrew Oaks, Cody Hook Each year, the Indiana High School Athletic Association honors assisting with clinics and trainings in service to other officials
define the communities they lead once their playing Class 4A Officials - Tommy McIntyre, Anthony Suggs, an outstanding official in each sport during the State Finals in his community. In addition, Chris also works as a mentor to
days are over. Bill Berry, Heath Hayes, Mike Sherrill Tournament. several younger officials, providing them with helpful insight
Class 5A Officials - Kevin Woolsey, Michael Averett, from his years of experience in football and basketball. He’s
So, on behalf of the 412 IHSAA member-schools, our Mike Tolley, Daniel Hufnagel, Troy Kough The recipient of the 2025-26 IHSAA Outstanding Official Award been vital to the recruitment and training of new officials in
board of directors, and all our student-athletes Class 6A Officials - Jason Ferguson, Dan Morgan, for Football is Chris Walsh from Crown Northwest Indiana.
Point, Indiana. Chris was selected for this
participating in this weekend’s championship event, Zachary Watson, Timothy Cartwright, Kevin Milam honor by a committee representing the 24 Outside of his work with the IHSAA, Chris
thank you for being with us to celebrate today. officials’ associations in Indiana. There serves as Head of Officials for the Crown Point
Athletic Training Staff are more than 6,000 officials licensed by Jr. Bulldogs, attending practices to teach and
Thank you for supporting education-based athletics in Fortè Sports Medicine and Orthopedics the IHSAA in all sports. These officials explain legal plays, formations, rules and safety
Indiana. As you enjoy today’s State Finals competition, work tirelessly to provide safe, competitive regulations. Walsh works as a Firefighter for the
environments for over 160,000 student
city of Hammond and participates in numerous
remember that this is pure spirit. This is pure sport. Program Credits athletes. community service and outreach events with his
This is your IHSAA. Publisher: Paul Neidig, Commissioner department.
Editor: Brandon Baxter, IHSAA Staff Chris has been an IHSAA licensed football Chris values the camaraderie that officiating
official for 36 years. During that time, he
Sincerely, Printing: Sport Graphics, Indianapolis has overseen countless sectional match- provides and cherishes his role in provid-
Photography: Double Edge Media
ing student-athletes with the knowledge and
ups, 13 regionals, 10 semi-states, and five
Cover Design: ThreeSixtyGroup, Indianapolis (5) state championship contests! Chris is techniques needed to help them succeed on
also a licensed IHSAA basketball official. the field.
ihsaa.org Walsh is a member of the Lake County Athletic Officials Chris resides in Crown Point with his wife, Shannon, and they
Paul Neidig ihsaatv.org Association and has served in various leadership roles with have two children.
IHSAA Commissioner @ihsaa1 the association. He volunteers his time as an IHSAA Clinician,
4 53rd Annual IHSAA State Football Tournament is proudly presented by the INDIANAPOLIS COLTS. IHSAA - Pure Spirit. Pure Sport. PURE INDIANA! 5