Page 16 - 2022 IHSAA Annual Report

2021– 22 YEAR IN REVIEW
A return of fans to the Girls Basketball State
Finals helped create an unforgettable experience
for everyone. Thanks to great partners like the
Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever, student-athletes
and fans alike are able to witness the passion and
pageantry of high school sports in world class
venues like Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
16 INDIANA HIGH S CHOOL A THLE TIC ASS OCIA TION
2021– 22 YEAR IN REVIEW
A Return to Normal
As we all know, navigating the pandemic—
especially regarding school operations
and organizing logistics within education-
based athletics—was more than trying.
However, we know we are better as an
Association, as educators, and as a state
because of the way we persevered through
the pandemic seasons. And to reemphasize
the value placed in the previous section
on teamwork, we couldn’t have gotten
through those two academic years without
an extra emphasis on executing as a team.
Every IHSAA stakeholder was a great
teammate during the pandemic-affected
seasons, and we can never express
our gratitude enough: Thank you! And
because of the adversity we championed
together, we can also celebrate that the
2021-22 school year was reminiscent
of what we once knew as “normal.”
This return to “normal” meant communities
and fans were also allowed to participate
in education-based athletics as they
once did. Attendance at championship
events resulted in dynamic atmospheres
that felt as energized—if not more—than
championship events before the pandemic.
During the pandemic, the Association had
to call many audibles. That included finding
different venues to host certain championship
events. However, we’re delighted to announce
that in 2021-22, Track & Field (Girls, Boys,
and Unified) moved back to the Robert C.
Haugh Complex at Indiana University, and
softball returned to Purdue University’s
Bittinger Stadium.
The venues where our student-athletes
compete for state championships are among
the country’s top-tier professional and
collegiate sports stadiums. We are thankful
to our hosting partners for realizing that
high school championships are worthy of
being held in our state’s grandest venues.
Annual Report 2022 INDIANA HIGH S CHOOL A THLE TIC ASS OCIATION Annual Report 2022 17