IHSAA: Lynn Houser honored with IHSAA Media Service Award

From ihsaa.org

A fixture on the Indiana sports scene for 36 years, Lynn Houser has been selected by the IHSAA Executive Committee to receive the 2012-13 Distinguished Media Service Award for District 3.

Houser’s contributions to high school sports were recognized Jan. 11 prior to the Bloomington South-Edgewood boys basketball game in Ellettsville. IHSAA Commissioner Bobby Cox and Sports Information Director Jason Wille made the presentation.

After 28 years as a sportswriter for the Bloomington Herald-Times, Houser retired from the journalism profession last March. He began his career in 1976 serving as sports editor of the Kendallville News-Sun before joining the Bloomington newspaper in 1984, then known as the Herald-Telephone.

His duties have taken him to 18 Indiana high school basketball finals and 15 Indiana high school football finals, four NCAA Final Fours, three NBA Conference Finals, and the 2007 Super Bowl to cover the Indianapolis Colts, a team he began reporting on in 1995.

The 62-year-old has been the recipient of numerous writing awards during his career. The Hoosier State Press Association (HSPA), Indiana Associated Press Managing Editors (IAPME), Indiana Society of Professional Journalists (ISPJ), and the Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association (ISSA) all have lauded him for his work, including Indiana Sportswriter of the Year in 1994 and “Best of American Sports Writing” in 2007.

“Lynn treated all sports fairly and not just the more popular ones,” said Edgewood Director of Athletics Mick Hammett. “You could feel his passion in his articles, and his features of many players allowed the community to get to know them better and to understand the sacrifices that it takes to be a varsity athlete.”

Houser is a member of two halls of fame. In 2008, he entered the Bloomington City Golf Hall of Fame for his years of coverage, and in 2010 he was inducted into the ISSA Hall of Fame. He currently serves as president of the Monroe County Sports Hall of Fame and has been vice president of the ISSA since 2004.

Houser is the third member of the Herald-Times to be honored by the IHSAA with this award, joining Rex Kirts in 1985-86 and John Harrell in 1994-95.

(NOTE: E. Shawn Aylsworth, HoosierAuthority.com managing editor, worked alongside all three in his days at the H-T back in 1988-89. There is no doubt that their hard work, kindness, and thoroughness to the craft – along with that of former Associated Press Sports Editor Steve Herman – contributed greatly to what we have tried to accomplish in nearly eight years online with this website. Congratulations to all!)

A native of Fort Wayne, Houser graduated from Fort Wayne Dwenger High School in 1968 and went on to earn a degree in journalism from Indiana University in 1972. Following college, Houser served four years in the United States Navy from 1972-76. He and his wife, Patricia, have been married for 28 years. They have three children and five grandchildren.

This is the 28th year the IHSAA has recognized outstanding members of the Indiana news media from each of its three legislative districts for excellence in the coverage of high school sports. Houser is the first individual to be honored this school year.

Distinguished Media Service Award winners
Adams, Bob, Berne Tri-Weekly News, WZBD, Berne, 2007-08, Dist. 2
Adams, Charlie, WSBT-TV, South Bend, 2006-07, Dist. 1
Akers, Chuck, WFLQ, French Lick, 2007-08, Dist. 3
Amey, Andy, Terre Haute Tribune-Star, 1995-96, Dist. 3
Ammerman, Joe, WNVI, North Vernon, 1999-00, Dist. 4
Angelopolous, Jimmie, Indianapolis News, 1984-85, Dist. 3
Arredondo, Joe, WYIN-TV, Merrillville, 1998-99, Dist. 1

Baker, Jerry, IHSAA Network, 2000-01, Dist. 3
Barnet, Bob, Muncie Star, 1985-86, Dist. 4
Beas, Mike, 2008-09, Dist. 2
Beitler, Paul, Bluffton News-Banner, 2000-01, Dist. 2
Bell, Greg, WIOU/WZWZ, Kokomo, 1993-94, Dist. 2
Bernhardt, Don, Evansville Courier, 1984-85, Dist. 5
Blake, Mike, WFIE-TV, Evansville, 1997-98, Dist. 5
Bohne, Brian, Ferdinand News/Spencer County Leader, 2003-04, Dist. 3
Breach, Chris, Logansport Pharos-Tribune, 2004-05, Dist. 1
Bridge, Bob, Bedford Times-Mail, 1996-97, Dist. 5
Brooks, Rod, WXXP, Anderson, 1997-98, Dist. 4
Brunner, Jim, WBAT, Marion, 1998-99, Dist. 2
Buchberger, Jim, Lawrenceburg Register, 1994-95, Dist. 4
Byrum, Tom, Winchester News-Gazette, 2004-05, Dist. 2

Calabro, Dave, WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, 2010-11, Dist. 2
Carnegie, Tom, WRTV-TV, Indianapolis, 1985-86, Dist. 3
Clark, Jan, Richmond Palladium-Item, 1995-96, Dist. 4
Collins, Tom, Evansville Courier & Press, 2006-07, Dist. 3
Condry, Paul, Regional Radio, Crown Point, 1999-00, Dist. 1
Corfman, Ron, Ripley County Publishing, 1998-99, Dist. 4
Costin, Jim, Fort Wayne News-Sentinel, 1987-88, Dist. 2

Davis, Len, WGL Radio, Fort Wayne, 1994-95, Dist. 2
Dedrick, Dave, WUME/WSEZ, Paoli, 1995-96, Dist. 5
DeFay, Dick, WKJG-TV, Fort Wayne, 1990-91, Dist. 2
Derf, Rick, WTCA, Plymouth, 1995-96, Dist. 1
Douglas, Tom, Spencer Evening World, 1999-00, Dist. 3
Downey, Mark, Bloomfield Evening World, 2002-03, Dist. 3

Egierski, Dan, WGBF Radio, Evansville, 2001-02, Dist. 3

Ferber, Walt, WITZ Radio, Jasper, 2010-11, Dist. 3
Fields, Steve, Greencastle Banner-Graphic, 1991-92, Dist. 3
Fisse, Frank, Indianapolis Star, 1987-88, Dist. 3
Ford, Bob, Kokomo Tribune, 1986-87, Dist. 2
Freeby, Chuck, WHME-TV & Radio, 2010-11, Dist. 1
Frye, George, Huntington Herald-Press, 1992-93, Dist. 2

Garmon, Michelle, Tipton Tribune, 1997-98, Dist. 3
Gates, Hilliard, WKJG-TV, Fort Wayne, 1984-85, Dist. 2
Goffinet, Larry, Tell City News, 1991-92, Dist. 5
Gratz, Ivan, WISH-TV, Indianapolis, 1998-99, Dist. 3
Gregg, Scott, Carmel H.S./Metropolitan Conference, 2003-04, Dist. 2
Grossman, Roger, WRSW, Warsaw, 2009-10, Dist. 1
Guilliams, Cliff, Evansville Courier & Press, 2008-09, Dist. 3

Hall, Norman, WBNL, Boonville, 1993-94, Dist. 5
Hamilton, Ed, Elwood Call-Leader, 1996-97, Dist. 4
Hamnik, Al, Gary Post-Tribune, 1996-97, Dist. 1
Hanna, Bill, North Vernon Plain Dealer-Sun, 1990-91, Dist. 4
Harrell, John, Bloomington Herald-Times, 1994-95, Dist. 5
Hartnett Sr., John, WSVL, Shelbyville, 1992-93, Dist. 4
Hein, Don, WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, 1994-95, Dist. 3
Herman, Steve, Associated Press, 1996-97, Dist. 3
Hess, Milt, WHZR, Logansport, 1997-98, Dist. 1
Hill, Ken, Sports Hotline, Marion, 1989-90, Dist. 2
Hodge, John, New Castle Courier-Times, 2000-01, Dist. 4
Hole, Michael, WFLQ, French Lick, 2007-08, Dist. 3
Houser, Lynn, Bloomington Herald-Times, 2012-13, Dist. 3
Hunter, Dave, WAOV, Vincennes, 1992-93, Dist. 5
Huppert, Dean, WSJV-TV, South Bend, 2002-03, Dist. 1

Jellison, Don, Noblesville Ledger, 1988-89, Dist. 3
Jenkins, Charlie, WXVW, Jeffersonville, 1988-89, Dist. 5
Jerome, Jim, WAXI, Rockville, 1989-90, Dist. 3
Jones, Carl, Terre Haute Tribune-Star, 1992-93, Dist. 3
Jones, H. O. (Whitey), Corydon Democrat, 1987-88, Dist. 5

Kasey, Dennis, WHMB TV-40, Indianapolis, 2009-10, Dist. 2
Kelly, Lee, New Albany H.S./WNAS Radio, 2004-05, Dist. 3
Kirts, Rex, Bloomington Herald-Times, 1985-86, Dist. 5
Kitchell, Dave, Kokomo Tribune, 1996-97, Dist. 2
Knezevich, Mike, Regional Radio Sports Network, 2008-09, Dist. 1
Koontz, Arv, Seymour Tribune, 1989-90, Dist. 5
Kraft, Dennis, Elkhart Truth, 1988-89, Dist. 2
Krider, Dave, LaPorte Herald-Argus, 1985-86, Dist. 1

Lambright, Leroy, Goshen News, 1985-86, Dist. 2
Lankford, Richard, WRAY, Princeton, 2009-10, Dist. 3
Lemasters, Ron, Muncie Star, 1991-92, Dist. 4
Lingle, Corky, WTCA, Plymouth, 1995-96, Dist. 1
Lovell, Bob, Indiana Sports Talk, 2002-03, Dist. 2

Mannies, Morry, WLBC, Muncie, 1989-90, Dist. 4
McKee, Pat, Indianapolis Star, 2001-02, Dist. 2
Miller, Forrest, South Bend Tribune, 1991-92, Dist. 2
Mishler, Earl, LaPorte Herald-Argus, 1994-95, Dist. 1
Montgomery, Mike, WSAL-WLHM, Logansport, 2000-01, Dist. 1
Musselman, David, WROI Radio, Rochester, 2003-04, Dist. 1
Mutka, John, Gary Post-Tribune, 1986-87, Dist. 1

Nuest, Keith, Kouts Times, 1993-94, Dist. 1

Overholser, Bill, WIBN, Fowler, 1992-93, Dist. 1

Pantazi, Dean, WPTA-TV, Fort Wayne, 1999-00, Dist. 2
Powers, Bob, Connersville News-Examiner, 1986-87, Dist. 4
Price, Rita, WRSW Radio, Warsaw, 2001-02, Dist. 1

Quigley, John, Portage Journal Press, 1990-91, Dist. 1

Rallo, Curt, South Bend Tribune, 1995-96, Dist. 2
Reck, Tom, Terre Haute Tribune-Star, 1986-87, Dist. 3
Redfield, Bill, Michigan City News-Dispatch, 1984-85, Dist. 1
Ross, Tony, WTCA, Plymouth, 2005-06, Dist. 1
Russell, Jim, Indianapolis News, 1993-94, Dist. 3

Salomon, John, WNJY, Monticello, 1991-92, Dist. 1
Schneider, Mark, Indianapolis Star, 1990-91, Dist. 3
Schweizer, Larry, WBNL, Boonville, 1998-99, Dist. 5
Shahbaz, Marty, Lake County Star, 1987-88, Dist. 1
Siegfried, Paul, Huntington Herald-Press, 2007-08, Dist. 1
Simmermaker, Sam, WCSI Radio, Columbus, 1984-85, Dist. 4
Simmers, Bob, WITZ, Jasper, 1986-87, Dist. 5
Smith, Joe, WBWB, Bloomington, 1990-91, Dist. 5
Stigleman, Phil, WKBV, Richmond, 1988-89, Dist. 4
Stimpson, Dick, WNUY AM FM, Bluffton, 2006-07, Dist. 2
Swanson, Pete, Princeton Clarion, 1999-00, Dist. 5

Taylor, Graham, Madison Courier, 1987-88, Dist. 4
Throckmorton, Ted, WAVG, Jeffersonville, 2000-01, Dist. 5
Turner, Vince, WTRC, Elkhart, 1997-98, Dist. 2

Washburn, Jeff, Lafayette Journal & Courier, 1988-89, Dist. 1
Weaver, Rob, WPGW AM FM, Portland, 2005-06, Dist. 2
Weller, Jeff, WLBC, Muncie, 1993-94, Dist. 4
Welter, Harold, WKVI, Knox, 1989-90, Dist. 1
Wilkerson, Lance, WEHT-TV, Evansville, 2005-06, Dist. 3