Page 14 - 2022 IHSAA Annual Report
P. 14

2021– 22 YEAR IN REVIEW                                                                                                                                                                            2021– 22 YEAR IN REVIEW


               THE 2021– 2022
               YEAR IN                                                                                                                  The Statistics

                                                                                                                                        The Association has always emphasized
                                                                                                                                        that statistics are secondary to the
               REVIEW                                                                                                                   character-building life lessons that
                                                                                                                                        education-based athletics teach its student-
                                                                                                                                        athletes—for example, respecting the
                                                                                                                                        rules of the game, perseverance, working
                                                                                                                                        together, and overcoming adversity.

                                                                                                                                        While we stand by the sentiments expressed
                                                                                                                                        above, there is a time and place to celebrate
               Title IX at 50                                                                                                           statistical achievement. One statistic
                                                                                                                                        worth celebrating from this past year is
               This year’s edition of the Annual Report is a                                                                            the addition of three new board members
               celebration of the 50th anniversary of Title                                                                             to the executive committee: Kye Denney,
               IX and the Education Amendments of 1972.                                                                                 Wes-Del; Tom Black, East Central; and
               The Association would like to draw attention                                                                             Kris Painter, Terre Haute North Vigo. In
               to the phrasing “education amendments”—                                                                                  their newly appointed positions, they were
               as our organization full-heartedly views                                                                                 able to help guide the state into a new era,
               high school sports as an extension of the                                                                                and we’re thankful for their leadership.
               classroom, as education-based athletics.
                                                                                                                                        Another statistic worth celebrating is that   Participation in education-based athletics
               Consequently, the 50th anniversary of Title                                                                              in the 50th year of Title IX, 64,000 female   provides an opportunity to build lifelong
               IX becomes much more purposeful—and                                                                                      student-athletes utilized their right to   friendships and develop the skills necessary
               so in this Annual Report, we acknowledge                                                                                 complete coursework in the second classroom   to become a great teammate.
               the positive effects Title IX legislation                                                                                by participating in a high school sport.
               has had on our country and our state.                                                                                                                              community. Because of that, any community
                                                                                                                                        The Association recognizes that participation   member who attends an event to lend
               The only proper way to do that is by                                                                                     (especially in the historical context of   their support acts as a good teammate.
               celebrating Indiana’s past and present                                                                                   Title IX) is a significant accomplishment
               female-student athletes.                                                                                                 that exponentially increased the number   Teamwork will help us ensure our success as
                                                                                                                                        of opportunities available to female      a society in the future. That’s why, in addition
               Let the celebration begin!                                                                                               student-athletes—and one of the most      to being a skill, teamwork is an essential value
                                                                                                                                        fundamental of those opportunities is     that education-based athletics emphasizes.
                                                                                                                                        the privilege to be part of a team.
                                                                                                                                                                                  If we can teach student-athletes to
                                                                                                                                        Within athletics, fundamentals are        hone the skill of being a good teammate
                                                                                                                                        the most basic skills required to play a   and simultaneously embrace the
                                                                                                                                        particular sport. And out of the many     value of teamwork, they will be well
                                                                                                                                        skills that comprise the fundamentals,    adjusted for life after high school
                                                                                                                                        we’d like to focus on one paramount to our   with their first degree in hand.
                                                                                                                                        future success as a society: Teamwork.
                                                                                                                                                                                  Teamwork makes good things happen—we
                                                                                                                                        That teamwork is one of the most critical   wouldn’t have Title IX without it. Similarly,
                                                                                                                                        skills needed to play a team sport is     the only way the Association can adequately
                                                                                                                                        obvious—but teamwork is also an essential   serve its stakeholders—and ensure the
                                                                                                                                        skill required to play any sport, including   integrity of education-based athletics for
               High school sports help student-athletes                                                                                 individual sports like swimming.          future generations—is to prioritize teamwork.
               realize the drive needed to succeed on the
               playing field and in life. That lesson helped                                                                            The mentor-mentee relationship between    In addition to Title IX’s 50th anniversary,
               drive Lily Cridge of Indianapolis Bishop                                                                                 student-athletes and their coaches is also an   this Annual Report celebrates the teamwork
               Chatard to a first place finish at the Girls                                                                             example of teamwork. And let’s not forget   behind all the Association’s accomplishments
               Cross Country State Finals.                                                                                              every student-athlete represents their    during the 2021-22 academic year.


        14                                                                                                                                                   INDIANA HIGH S CHOOL A THLE TIC ASS OCIATION         Annual Report         2022      15
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