BB: IHSAA launches 'Hoosiers for Henryville' project
March 6, 2012
By E. Shawn Aylsworth of Hoosier AuthorityFrom ihsaa.org
In light of the recent storm devastation that has beset parts of Southern Indiana, the Indiana High School Athletic Association is taking an active role to support those affected by launching “Hoosiers for Henryville – An Opportunity to Rebuild Henryville Athletics.”
The project is a philanthropic effort in partnership with Indianapolisâ€based Emmis Communications (93 WIBC, WFNIâ€1070 The Fan, and Network Indiana’s Indiana Sports Talk) and the IHSAA’s own 18â€member Student Advisory Committee to assist those victims by rebuilding the high school’s athletic department.
Oftentimes, athletics can serve as a release or provide a sense of normalcy for the communities affected. To that end, the IHSAA will use the remaining games of the boys state basketball tournament as a way to raise funds.
“The Indiana High School Athletic Association is humbled to assist our valued member Henryville High School in their time of need,” said IHSAA Commissioner Bobby Cox. “We believe that high school athletics is part of the fabric that bonds communities together, and by assisting the Henryville athletic department in a financial sense, we hope to accelerate the healing process for both the school and the community.
"I am confident that Hoosiers across our state will once again face adversity and soundly defeat it through their generosity and resilience.”
The IHSAA is asking all individuals for their financial support at the upcoming boys basketball regional, semistate, and state championship games.
“I have alerted the host sites at our regional and semistate sites to ‘pass the bucket’ in an effort to help rebuild the Henryville athletic department,” said Cox. “We also will activate our Student Advisory Committee at the boys basketball state finals to collect donations.”
Additionally, the IHSAA has set up an online donation link at IHSAA.org for individuals to contribute. At the conclusion of the 102nd IHSAA Boys Basketball Tournament later this month, all the funds collected will be directly wired to the Henryville athletic department.
Located in Clark County about 20 miles north of Louisville, Ky., Henryville is a town of about 1,900 people with a high school of approximately 370 students. School athletic teams are nicknamed the “Hornets,” with official colors of black and gold.
About the Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc.
Founded in 1903, the purpose of the Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc. is to encourage, regulate, and give direction to wholesome amateur interschool athletic competition between its 408 member schools. The Association provides state championship tournament series in 20 sports – 10 for girls and 10 for boys. Approximately 160,000 student athletes participate in IHSAA sports on an annual basis.
