Page 54 - 2022 IHSAA Annual Report

THE CHAMPIONS NET W ORK THE CHAMPIONS NET W ORK

THE As the network has helped broaden the

impact of Title IX, it has also played
a significant role in developing the
CHAMPIONS Association’s outreach efforts. As was
recently mentioned, the IHSAA produced
seasonal public service announcements
aimed at promoting the life lessons learned
NETWORK in the “second classroom” and the invaluable
mentorship provided to young student-
athletes through education-based coaches.
Additionally, a series of PSAs were produced
featuring the IHSAA staff and key Indiana
stakeholders highlighting the significance
Broadening the Impact of Title IX Although television and radio broadcasters of the 50th anniversary of Title IX.
and Education-Based Athletics have always been interested in and willing to
cover the state finals for sports like football These audio PSAs are aired annually
While the IHSAA Champions Network and basketball, the IHSAA’s dedication to throughout the entire state. The growth of
was conceived a few years following the building its own network has enabled them the network has allowed the Association to
implementation of Title IX, its goal of to produce broadcasts of state finals in nearly naturally increase the reach of its message
promoting education-based athletics every sport—including volleyball, soccer, of education-based athletics year after year.
around the state are inherently tied with gymnastics, softball, track, and tennis—for By taking a look at the charts below, you can
supporting female student-athletes. In more than a decade. So, while Title IX has see the correlation between the growth of
fact, one of the benefits of the Association enabled generations of young girls to grow up the IHSAA’s Champions Radio Network and
starting its own network over 40 years ago watching examples of female student-athletes the number of PSAs that have run across
is the increase in exposure for female high at the high school level, the Champions the state over the past few years alone.
school athletic programs across Indiana. Network has enabled a new generation to
witness the drive, resiliency, and courage of The Association’s commitment to developing As the IHSAA Champions Radio Network has
their high school role models—even when the Champions Network ensures that grown, so too has the reach of the IHSAA’s
Forest Park’s Grace Fleck is interviewed by they can’t attend the game in person. That’s the IHSAA will always have a way to messaging. As more stations are added to
Jeremiah Johnson of the Champions Network the power of the Champions Network. communicate that high school sports in the network, the IHSAA is able to make sure
after receiving the Patricia L. Roy Mental Indiana are education-based. That’s a the message of education-based athletics
Attitude Award in Class 2A Girls Basketball. message—and a promise—that will make is heard in every corner of the state.
This award, renamed after Roy following her an impact for generations to come.
retirement, is given annually to one senior
player participating in each class of the Girls
Basketball State Finals who best exemplifies
positive attitude, leadership, and scholarship.
INCREASE IN CRN AFFILIATES INCREASE IN TOTAL PSAs BROADCAST
80 80,000
70 70,000
60 60,000

50 50,000
40 40,000
30 30,000

20 20,000
10 10,000
0 0
2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021 2021-2022 2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021 2021-2022

5 4 INDIANA HIGH S CHOOL A THLE TIC ASS OCIATION Annual Report 2022 55