Cato Memorial Scholarships to be presented to 13 seniors
Student-Athletes to be recognized May 7 at Indianapolis Colts Complex
The Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc. is pleased to announce this year’s group of 13
senior student-athletes who will be honored with the 2024 IHSAA/C. Eugene Cato Memorial
Scholarships.
To reward the efforts of Indiana’s complete student-athletes, Forté Sports Medicine, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, Indianapolis Colts,
Indiana Fever, Indiana Pacers, Sport Graphics, Inc., and Franciscan Health Systems have all partnered with the IHSAA and the IHSAA
Foundation to sponsor the program.
These wellrounded, positive role models have demonstrated excellence in academics, school and community involvement, character,
sportsmanship, and citizenship.
Each individual will receive a $2,500 scholarship for their prep accomplishments and be recognized at this year’s inaugural IHSAA Foundation Impact Awards at Gridiron Hall, within the Indianapolis Colts Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center on Tuesday May 7, 2024.
This year’s recipients of the 2024 IHSAA/C. Eugene Cato Memorial Scholarships are:
2024 IHSAA/C. Eugene Cato Memorial Scholarship Recipients
Mary Bellia South Bend Saint Joseph
Mary Cox Monrovia
Ava Decker Elkhart
Ashton Elpers North Posey
Jacob Harker Shelbyville
Whitman Horton Crawfordsville
Ava Lehmkuhler Lebanon
Ethan Popp Harrison (West Lafayette)
Emma Schipp Jasper
Jack Steadham Indianapolis Bishop Chatard
Kyah Streeval Edinburgh
Jake Tippman Fort Wayne Snider
Erin Zhu Culver Academies
Each student completed and submitted a formal application and had to meet certain criteria to qualify including:
1) be enrolled and participating in interscholastic athletics at an IHSAA member school during this school year;
2) be a senior at an IHSAA member school who will graduate this school year;
3) win a varsity letter as an athlete in at least one of the 22 IHSAA-sanctioned athletic programs;
4) be nominated by the school’s principal or athletic director;
5) carry a minimum
cumulative grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale or the equivalent and;
6) have no violations of the school’s athletic code of conduct.
Over 100 completed applications were received from across the state and a blue-ribbon panel of individuals decided upon the final recipients:
Bill Benner, Retired Vice President, Pacers Sports & Entertainment
Bobby Cox, Commissioner Emeritus, Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc., and member
of the IHSAA Foundation Board of Directors
Phil Eskew, Jr., M.D., Emeritus Professor, OBGYN, IU School of Medicine and member of the
IHSAA Foundation Board of Directors
Bob Gardner, Commissioner Emeritus, Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc., and
Retired Executive Director, National Federation of State High School Associations
Frank Hancock, President and CEO, Sports Graphics, Inc.
Andy Matis, Senior Manager of Football Development, Indianapolis Colts
Paul Neidig, Commissioner, Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc., and member of the
IHSAA Foundation Board of Directors
Since 2003-04, the IHSAA has recognized 266 outstanding student-athletes with scholarships
totaling $627,500.
Recognized alongside the Cato Scholarship Recipients at the IHSAA Foundation Impact Awards,
Forté Sports Medicine Research and Education Foundation will honor Indiana high school
student-athletes who have overcome injury or hardship with the Brady Comeback Award.
Additionally, graduating members of the IHSAA’s Student Advisory Committee will be recognized
for their contributions and work as a voice for today’s student-athletes.
