Page 75 - 2024 Annual Report

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Lugar Award In June 2024, Rick Fuson, the President and Ray Crowe Award
Chief Operating Officer of Pacers Sports
The Lugar Award, named after former U.S. and Entertainment, retired after 40 years The Ray Crowe Award recognizes individuals
Senator Richard Lugar, is presented to with the Pacers. In addition to helping who demonstrate exemplary leadership,
individuals who embody the principles of forge the first partnership between an NBA integrity, and dedication to high school
sportsmanship, citizenship, and community franchise and a state high school athletic athletics. Named in honor of legendary coach
service. Recipients of this esteemed award association, he has also been a driving force Ray Crowe, this prestigious award celebrates
demonstrate a commitment to fostering for the Pacers’ efforts on social justice and those who inspire and uplift others through
positive relationships and making a difference diversity initiatives. Fuson’s career legacy their contributions to the sports community.
on and off the field of play. will primarily be attached to his influence in
making Indianapolis a host city for sporting Receiving this award for 2023-24 is Cassel
This year, two recipients, Carl Erskine events of international interest. However, he White, former principal of Hammond High
and Rick Fuson, were bestowed with the will be remembered by the IHSAA as a man School. White also devoted tremendous
Lugar Award. instilled with a sense of civic duty and Hoosier time and energy to Indiana education-based
pride, as evidenced by his partnership as host athletics. A former board member of the
Erskine, who passed away in April of this of many of our State Finals events. IHSAA in the early 2000s, he paved the
year, was a decorated Major League Baseball way for underrepresented urban schools Cassel White is presented with the Ray Crowe
pitcher who set the World Series strikeout and minorities to have a louder voice in the Award at 2024 Boys Basketball State Finals.
record for a single game. Erskine was just IHSAA’s decision-making processes.
as impressive off the field, a giving servant Rick Fuson, COO of
known for speaking out against racial Pacers Sports and
prejudice. The IHSAA’s Unified® Sports State Entertainment, was
Championship events and the Champions one of two recipients
Together program are also part of his legacy. of the Lugar Award,
Erskine’s son, Jimmy, was born with Down presented at the
syndrome in 1960, and Carl became a 114th Annual Boys
fierce advocate for finding meaningful life Basketball State
opportunities for Jimmy and others like him Finals.
through sports.

Commissioner’s Distinguished Kevin Lewis is presented with the
Service Award Commissioner’s Distinguished Service Award at
Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The IHSAA Commissioner’s Distinguished
Service Award recognizes individuals who
go above and beyond to make significant, This year, Commissioner Neidig deemed
meritorious contributions to education-based Kevin Lewis worthy of the award. Lewis
high school athletics in the state of Indiana. passed away in April at the age of 62. He
spent nearly half his life, 30 years, as an
The award isn’t given seasonally or IHSAA game official, ensuring the integrity
annually but at the discretion of the IHSAA of competition for softball, baseball, football,
Commissioner when appropriate. Recipients and girls and boys basketball contests.
must demonstrate sustained, exemplary Additionally, he was selected to officiate in
performance in a duty of great responsibility. multiple Girls Basketball and Football State
Potential winners include but are not Finals contests. Lewis also served as a board
With Governor Holcomb, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, and Jim Morris of the Indiana Pacers present, limited to coaches, administrators, officials, member and president of the Indiana Officials
the family of Carl Erskine is presented with the 2024 Richard G. Lugar Award. volunteers, community leaders, or advocates Association, which honored him as the Official
for high school sports. of the Year in 2023-24.

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