Page 50 - 2021 IHSAA Annual Report

ATHLETIC DIRE CT ORS ATHLETIC DIRE CT ORS

“I told my students, ‘This is a part of your life that “Hopefully, if you’re engrained in the team and what
shouldn’t define you completely, but, ultimately, help they’re trying to do, and you’re buying in, and you’re a

build you to be a stronger person.’” good teammate—that’s going to translate well to being
successful in the future.”

“Our other kids (non-student-athletes), our Hudson is right. Education-based athletics
student section, really missed attending teach resiliency—and the pandemic-affected
games,” she said. “On the athletic side, I seasons resulted in student-athletes becoming Painter continued, “Unfortunately, I think (education-based athletics) are a tool
think it gave those kids an outlet, something even more resilient. Athletic directors are, we’re so quick to judge these days that and part of a bigger plan to make student-
to do that was normal, so to speak.” in essence, educators—and for many athletic everybody needs to realize that we’re all athletes great,” he said. “The people who
directors, the pandemic proved how vital doing the best we can. Hopefully, if you’re are engaging with these kids, the adults
While no one wished that the pandemic the high school sports curriculum is. engrained in the team and what they’re in their corner, they’re making student-
would affect all of us as it did, Hudson trying to do, and you’re buying in, and you’re athletes great people beyond sports.”
shares the same ability as Painter to be For Painter, the pandemic proved to her a good teammate—that’s going to translate
fueled by optimism when facing adversity. that teamwork is one of the most critical well to being successful in the future.” It’s that, Hudson said, that gives us the
lessons education-based athletics teaches Like Painter, the pandemic proved to Hudson why—why education-based athletics are
“Really, coming back in the fall, I had student-athletes, especially in today’s the power of education-based athletics so essential to our communities, society,
some alternative thinking in regard to world. “I think what’s most important and their importance in our culture. and the future. It didn’t take not having
education-based athletics, the mental is getting along with others, people who sports in the spring of 2020 for us to know
piece,” he said. “I told my students, ‘This are different than you,” she said. “After looking at where we were with the that. It just helped us better realize it.
is a part of your life that shouldn’t define pandemic, it let me understand that they
you completely, but, ultimately, help
build you to be a stronger person.’” Because Terre Haute Athletic Director Kris Painter
believes that high school students should do what
they love, she ensured that the pep band had an
opportunity to play during home games. The pep
band was essential to helping create a fun high
school sports atmosphere despite limited fans.

Pictured here is the South Bend Washington girl's basketball team at the state finals championship game.
Even though they didn't get the victory, it was a win for the community. As athletic director Garland Hudson
noted, the experience of competing at the state finals provided an opportunity for the community to come
together and the student-athletes to grow.

48 INDIANA HIGH S CHOOL A THLE TIC ASS OCIATION Annual Report 2021 49
48 INDIANA HIGH S CHOOL A THLE TIC ASS OCIA TION Annual Report 2021