Page 26 - 2021 IHSAA Annual Report

THE IHS A A F OUND ATION

THE IHSAA One example is the Foundation’s decision organizational success, just as they did for the

to pay for leadership training for coaches
Foundation in 2020-21.
and administrators via the InSideOut
Initiative. This training intends to increase
coaching effectiveness and drive individual, Looking to Next Year
team, and organizational results. Of course, Even though this publication is a year-in-
this training—while for coaches and
FOUNDATION administrators—is to the advantage of the review, it seems appropriate to look toward
student-athlete.
the Foundation’s future, as that is exactly what
the Foundation does for the student-athlete.
The Foundation enables the Association to
preserve education-based athletics in Indiana Some exciting things are in store for 2021-22.
and take them to the next level. And during We remain committed to providing InSideOut
2020-21, the Foundation gave a next-level Initiative leadership training for every high
performance as it exceeded its 2020 goals. school athletic administrator and coach
Here are some of the highlights: in Indiana. In addition, we will expand our
funding to offer a variety of scholarships to
• Total donations were up 20%. a more diverse group of student-athletes
• Total donors were up 32%. who embody the values of education-based
• Total new donors were up 149%. athletics.
• 53 IHSAA member-schools received
checks, thanks to new and current donors Additionally, in the spring of 2022, we will
who participated in the Virtual 5K event. begin awarding grants to member-schools,
• The Bobby and Kathy Cox enabling us to impact the greatest number
Endowment Fund reached of student-athletes. Grant examples include
$133,848 of its $150,000 goal. purchasing, upgrading, or maintaining
• The IHSAA Foundation awarded nine sports equipment; helping form new Student
scholarships for the first time to deserving Advisory Councils at member-schools; and
student-athletes, totaling $13,500. providing funds for students to attend the
The IHSAA Foundation: Preserving in the future—and that’s the very purpose of IHSAA Student Leadership Conference.
the Foundation of Education-Based the IHSAA Foundation, to ensure education- Because the above was accomplished in a
Athletics in Indiana based athletics continue to thrive in Indiana pandemic year, it proves that the inherent It remains to be seen precisely how the
for future generations of student-athletes. values and principles of education- 2021-22 school year will play out. But if
As a reminder, the theme of this year’s based athletics—like determination 2020-21 provides any indication, it will be a
annual report is “celebrating the student- The IHSAA Foundation has been and perseverance—fuel individual and success for the Foundation—no matter how
athlete.” Thus, we want to reinforce our successful in meeting its objectives much adversity it must champion.
declaration that high school sports in because of its responsible management
Indiana are to be viewed and treated as of donor funds. In addition to securing
education-based athletics. When we view fundraising monies, the Foundation is
high school athletics this way, it inherently responsible for deciding where fundraising
puts the student-athlete at the center money should go, based on the needs and
of everything our organization does. priorities of the IHSAA. In this aspect,
the Foundation allows the IHSAA to take
As a not-for-profit organization, we must education-based athletics to another level.
remain economically viable to continue
serving and celebrating the student-athlete

The Bobby and Cathy Cox Endowment Fund was launched following the
retirement of former commissioner, Bobby Cox. When fully endowed,
it will award six $1,000 scholarships in perpetuity to deserving Head Coach Steven Reynolds of South Bend Washington High School is pictured in the middle of a teaching
student-athletes. moment, utilizing the whiteboard in the second classroom.

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