Page 13 - 2022-23 Annual Report

THE 2022 - 2023 YEAR IN REVIEW THE 2022 - 2023 YEAR IN REVIEW

THE 2022 - 23 YEAR IN REVIEW As the accomplishments of the 2022-23 academic year
THE YEAR are celebrated, the IHSAA shines a light on Hoosier

of the EDUCATOR educators who impact their communities through

teaching and, for that matter, all educators everywhere.

Learning is a journey. While learning can Just like any other classroom, in education-
take a student to many places, arriving at a based athletics the teacher has the most The Association oversees high school Associate Commissioner Gilliland served as
particular destination is not the goal. The significant effect on learning. And that is athletics in Indiana. Therefore, it also LaPorte High School’s athletic director for 25
goal of education is to move in the direction who this year’s Annual Report is dedicated oversees the second classroom. That said, years and is a former member of the IHSAA
of progress and growth, to build off what was to—the teachers, coaches, and administrators it is a priority of the IHSAA to provide Board of Directors and IHSAA Executive
learned the day before. who selflessly devote their lives to mentoring student-athletes with the best possible Committee. Gilliland’s focus as Associate
Indiana student-athletes on the path to education. Doing so means educators must Commissioner is working with new athletic
When looking at learning through the lens of improvement, growth, and success. be given as much institutional support as administrators, supporting member schools,
an education-based athletics curriculum, the possible—and that can only happen with an and promoting the values of education-
metaphor is especially true: The goal of the As the accomplishments of the 2022-23 executive staff dedicated to keeping education based athletics. This newly created role is an
student-athlete journey is to instill valuable academic year are celebrated, the IHSAA in front of athletics. example of how the Association is committed
life lessons, like how to accomplish long-term shines a light on Hoosier educators who to servant leadership, as it strives to provide
goals, teamwork, and overcoming adversity. impact their communities through teaching To that end, the Association welcomed member schools more than tournament
and, for that matter, all educators everywhere. Assistant Commissioner Janie Ulmer, operations and administrative assistance.
Lessons in these subjects are taught in high Associate Commissioner Ed Gilliland, and
school sports, or the “second classroom.” Director of Champions Together Brian Avery Champions Together Director Brian Avery
And as student-athletes practice mastering to the executive staff. All three appointees previously served as athletic director at
them, they simultaneously develop attributes have devoted their lives to education and were Speedway High School and Franklin Central
like grit and resiliency, and they learn what selected to help the Association further its High School. He was also a teacher and
it means to represent their community. education focus and initiatives. coach at Lawrence Central High School
The second classroom is arguably the most and Scecina Memorial High School. As
effective place for a high school student to Assistant Commissioner Ulmer brings almost Director of Champions Together, Avery
develop these attributes. This year’s Annual Report celebrates the educators 30 years of educator experience—classroom assists in administrating and promoting both
responsible for keeping education in front of and administrative—to her new post. She Unified® Track & Field and Unified® Flag
athletics in Indiana high school sports. most recently served as principal at Hamilton Football. Most importantly, Avery identifies
Southeastern High School. She also served opportunities to grow Champions Together
as Director of the Hamilton Southeastern initiatives by expanding inclusive education-
Fishers Academy, an off-site alternative based athletic offerings for the Association
education program she helped launch for both and its member schools.
Hamilton Southeastern and Fishers High
Schools. Ulmer oversees Girls Basketball,
Gymnastics, Boys and Girls Soccer, and Boys Pictured below from left to right:
and Girls Track & Field. Assistant Commissioner Janie Ulmer, Associate
Commissioner Ed Gilliland, and Champions Together
Director Brian Avery

12 INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL A THLETIC A S SOCIA TION ANNUAL REPORT 2023 INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL A THLETIC A S SOCIA TION ANNUAL REPORT 2023 13