Page 17 - 2022-23 Annual Report

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

“...in keeping education in front of athletics, no Commissioner Neidig (far left) and Assistant
Commissioner Robert Faulkens (far right) pose for
one’s role is more essential than the educators who a photo with two of the winners of the “Champions
of Education Award.” Connie Holstine of Silver
guide Indiana student-athletes on their journey to Creek and Denise Maldonado of Andrean received
their awards at the Class 3A Baseball State Finals.
become better, stronger, and brighter every day.”

Prospective officials can apply online at Those in attendance at the Girls and Boys
IHSAA.org, where a significant investment Basketball State Finals this year, as well as the
was made this year. The entire website was Baseball and Softball State Finals, witnessed
overhauled. It was the first major upgrade the presentation of the brand-new Champions
to the site since 2009. The update allowed of Education Award. The first IHSAA award
critical upgrades to be installed to the content designed specifically for teachers, its purpose
management system (CMS), while continuing is to celebrate educators, including educators
to provide a platform for the public to access of the traditional classroom. Moving forward,
tournament and event information and details. the Champions of Education award will be
presented during the State Finals for every
The Association is excited to see the positive class of all team sports.
impact the new site will have. All devices
can now easily access the information on the One teacher from each of the State Finalists
website, which allows more people to follow is recognized for their ability to connect with
the story of high school sports in Indiana. their students in a way that leads them to be
the best version of themselves, both inside the
Many positive changes have happened at the classroom and out. It’s just one way the IHSAA
Association last year. Another improvement can express gratitude to teachers for guiding
is the new structure of the Girls and Boys Hoosier students on their learning path.
Basketball Tournaments as well as the
Baseball Tournament. It was an entire team effort to make the
learning opportunities for 160,000 student-
In all three tournaments, the Regional is now a athletes possible in 2022-23. Invaluable
single-game championship, and the Semi-State contributions were made by the Indianapolis
became a two-game affair, with the winner Colts, Indiana Pacers and Fever, Indiana
advancing to the State Championship game. Farm Bureau Insurance, and the rest of the
incredibly important roster of corporate
Because the format doubles the number partners. Success also wouldn’t be possible
of teams that play a week longer in the without contest officials, the support of local
tournament, this creates a lot more communities, and all champions of education-
excitement in those communities—this can based athletics.
be witnessed by local media coverage, which
essentially doubled. Fanbases welcomed the Of course, in keeping education in front of
change in structure, and the energy at Semi- athletics, no one’s role is more essential than
State games made that apparent. the educators who guide Indiana student-
athletes on their journey to become better,
The new tournament structure will also give stronger, and brighter every day. As the Year
the host communities an economic boost. in Review comes to its conclusion, the IHSAA
Beyond schools increasing their concession asks all its stakeholders—as champions of high
sales, they get to put their best foot forward school sports—to keep educators front of mind.
and welcome a greater amount of the public to
their facilities. Meanwhile, local businesses
benefit from the influx of fans spending an
extended amount of time in the community.

16 INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL A THLETIC A S SOCIA TION ANNUAL REPORT 2023 INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL A THLETIC A S SOCIA TION ANNUAL REPORT 2023 17