As a member of the Indiana media, the IHSAA would like to offer the letter below from Commissioner Neidig for your consideration. Given our state’s interest in high school sports and education, we think this letter will offer a unique perspective that your audience will find engaging. Thank you for your consideration.
A LETTER FROM THE COMMISSIONER
Buckle up, folks. Like many of you, I’ve been snowed in much of these past few weeks. That means I’ve spent a lot of time rubilating on the world’s problems, and I’m trying my best to fix them. After a few more lifetimes, I think I might be able to do it.
There’s one problem in front of us, though, that I need your help with: I want to be better at celebrating average.
That might sound controversial. Especially coming from the Commissioner of an Association that is responsible for celebrating the best in our State by crowning its champions. But if it is atypical to be a state champion, that means the typical—or average—experience for a student-athlete in Indiana is a career without a championship.
As proud as we are of those teams who earn state titles and student-athletes who have worked their way to the top of the podium, the measure of success for high school sports in Indiana must look beyond tournament wins. After all, half of the schools competing in any given state tournament are eliminated after the first night.
So, what does that mean? And how does that relate to celebrating average?
Success needs to be measured by what was learned rather than what was won. Since tournament wins and championships are exclusive by nature, they cannot adequately measure the development of an average student-athlete. Our measure of success needs to be something that can apply to the average student-athlete.
The way I see it, athletic opportunity in our state is a community resource. It’s a tool that I want to make available to every high school student with a desire to participate. I’m not suggesting that all high school teams eliminate cuts, or that a basketball team have unlimited roster spots. And I’m certainly not suggesting that we start giving out participation trophies.
Rather, I’m merely suggesting that, more than any contest win, our teams celebrate their biggest victory as the development of hard working, well-rounded, mentally tough young men and women.
I’m suggesting that, as a state, we recognize and protect one of the best community resources we have for ensuring a strong future for the next generation.
I’m suggesting that, as an Association, we find ways to celebrate the fact that the average student-athlete will learn more through battling adversity than they will by winning a tournament contest. They’ll be shaped by the lessons of their losses, and will grow as competitors, teammates, and humans because of it. That’s a victory greater than any trophy.
I was never a State Champion. Not even a Sectional Champion. Heck, I picked melons and worked the hayfields in Posey County, and didn’t think much beyond that growing up. But I wouldn’t be who I am today—or where I am today—if it weren’t for my experience in the second classroom of high school sports.
As Commissioner, I fully understand that it’s the IHSAA’s job to conduct tournaments and crown champions. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. But as Commissioner, I also recognize that it takes ALL of us to protect the experience that makes participating in high school sports a win for our student-athletes. And it takes all of us to make sure that win stays bigger than any trophy.
And as a thoroughly “average” Hoosier myself, that’s a win I can stand behind.
Paul Neidig
IHSAA Commissioner