Indiana SemiState

[BradStevens]

He’s probably right. Think how many games that man has watched

I think he's attended every single Jimtown football game since 1962, minus the years he was in Vietnam. In fact, it's entirely possible he's attended every single game since the inception of the football team, other than his service years, since my uncle, his older brother by 4 or 5 years, helped start it in the mid-to-late '50s.

 

[mcmurtry66]

I think he's attended every single Jimtown football game since 1962, minus the years he was in Vietnam. In fact, it's entirely possible he's attended every single game since the inception of the football team, other than his service years, since my uncle, his older brother by 4 or 5 years, helped start it in the mid-to-late '50s.

They should put a banner or something on that field for him. You should email the school

 

[BradStevens]

My dad wrestled. Always better if the kid plays a different sport. He never really knew what was going on at soccer games.

So, so true.

 

[zeke4ahs]

Growing up in Indy the greatest thrill for me wasn’t going to Bloomington for IU games. It was actually going to games at Hinkle Field House during the state tournament. No basketball atmosphere was better. Each school had a section and the arena was packed. The school spirit and opportunity to play in such an iconic building was never taken for granted. And then for some reason the games were taken away from Hinkle. Yes the single class tourney became a multi class tournament, but for me the real loss was taking the games away from these iconic Indiana basketball cathedrals.

Have you ever been to the Wigwam? Those sectionals were always among the toughest with Anderson, Madison Heights, and Highland all good. Then always had some smaller schools good, like Lapel with Mark Barnhizer, Pendleton, etc. They had a drawing for who got tickets and the gym was packed for that, Families passed down season tickets in their will. Basketball hey day.

 

[zeke4ahs]

Seems like your dad might have been one of these guys.

View embedded media

Seriously your dad seems like a fun guy to attend a game with. And honestly I turn off games early all the time. Hard to get anything done when you stay and watch the Titanic go down. With texting I rely on my brother to tell me when a comeback happens. But I’m also very superstitious so I standby not turning the tv back on. I feel if they’re losing when I’m watching but winning when I’m not it’s a sign to stay away. I also get pissed when my brother declares early “we’ve got this one in the bag”. It’s a curse.

I go out and walk the halls at Assembly Hall when I’m nervous. If they do well I stay out for awhile if they don’t I go back in. I’ve met many parents of players that way. Greg Graham’s mom was a big hall walker.

 

[Eppy99]

Have you ever been to the Wigwam? Those sectionals were always among the toughest with Anderson, Madison Heights, and Highland all good. Then always had some smaller schools good, like Lapel with Mark Barnhizer, Pendleton, etc. They had a drawing for who got tickets and the gym was packed for that, Families passed down season tickets in their will. Basketball hey day.

I've never been there, but certainly it's legendary. Don't quote me but aren't the 7 out of 10 largest high school gyms in Indiana? I wish I could have visited them all. That would make a cool roadtrip. Have any of you guys done this? The Wigwam isn't being used anymore is it? Didn't they decide it was too costly to continue its upkeep?

 

[zeke4ahs]

He'd be fun if he wasn't my dad.

My dad got kicked out of his grandson’s little league game for yelling at the umpires. Proud family moment

 

[Aloha Hoosier]

My old high school won Semi-State and plays #1 Fishers Saturday. Sheron Wilkerson is Jeffersonville’s coach. Reportedly a very good one.

 

[Aloha Hoosier]

I've never been there, but certainly it's legendary. Don't quote me but aren't the 7 out of 10 largest high school gyms in Indiana? I wish I could have visited them all. That would make a cool roadtrip. Have any of you guys done this? The Wigwam isn't being used anymore is it? Didn't they decide it was too costly to continue its upkeep?

It’s like 17 or 18 of the largest 20 are in Indiana.

 

[Eppy99]

My dad wrestled. Always better if the kid plays a different sport. He never really knew what was going on at soccer games.

I've been nervous watching my daughter at bat during softball. I mean the everyone is watching her, and you're either elated when she gets a hit or semi hide yourself with a strikeout. However, with her wrestling now it's a whole new ballgame. I've never been so nervous. I'm literally on the edge of my seat the whole match. It's both the most frightening and exciting experience watching your kid wrestle.

 

[Mark Milton]

I went to Jimtown. Game was in Michigan City, so not too far away, and my dad wanted me to come over.

My dad is insane, though. He’s 80 and still gets so wrapped up in the games that he can barely sit still, he’s yelling (he’s VERY loud) at the officials and gets disgusted by coaching or playing mistakes. Can’t keep his mouth shut. After the game, he was telling everyone who would listen how the coach screwed up letting Manchester set their offense when Jimtown still had two fouls to give before the bonus (5 fouls per quarter? Crazy). School board members, teachers, I’m sure some parents of the players (he probably coached 50-75% of them in baseball at some point—oh the stories I have). He just can’t help himself.

He also routinely turns off games on TV when his team gets down, loudly proclaiming they stink and can’t believe he watches them. As a result, I don’t know if he’s seen a comeback win from IU, ND, or a Chicago team in 25-30 years.

Now you might think from that description that he must be a curmudgeon and someone to avoid in this small town. But outside of sports, he’s a happy guy who volunteers for everything (Lions Club, VFW, etc.) and knows everyone.

I imagine a lot of people who are combative here on the WC are the same way. Great, friendly, forgiving people in most aspects of their life who just can’t help themselves when they get into written, back and forth political arguments.

Well as you know, I’m a bastard at book club…..

 

[Mark Milton]

I went to Jimtown. Game was in Michigan City, so not too far away, and my dad wanted me to come over.

My dad is insane, though. He’s 80 and still gets so wrapped up in the games that he can barely sit still, he’s yelling (he’s VERY loud) at the officials and gets disgusted by coaching or playing mistakes. Can’t keep his mouth shut. After the game, he was telling everyone who would listen how the coach screwed up letting Manchester set their offense when Jimtown still had two fouls to give before the bonus (5 fouls per quarter? Crazy). School board members, teachers, I’m sure some parents of the players (he probably coached 50-75% of them in baseball at some point—oh the stories I have). He just can’t help himself.

He also routinely turns off games on TV when his team gets down, loudly proclaiming they stink and can’t believe he watches them. As a result, I don’t know if he’s seen a comeback win from IU, ND, or a Chicago team in 25-30 years.

Now you might think from that description that he must be a curmudgeon and someone to avoid in this small town. But outside of sports, he’s a happy guy who volunteers for everything (Lions Club, VFW, etc.) and knows everyone.

I imagine a lot of people who are combative here on the WC are the same way. Great, friendly, forgiving people in most aspects of their life who just can’t help themselves when they get into written, back and forth political arguments.

My old man was and is the same way with me and my kids— and they play soccer in college!!! A sport he never sniffed.

 

[BradStevens]

Have you ever been to the Wigwam? Those sectionals were always among the toughest with Anderson, Madison Heights, and Highland all good. Then always had some smaller schools good, like Lapel with Mark Barnhizer, Pendleton, etc. They had a drawing for who got tickets and the gym was packed for that, Families passed down season tickets in their will. Basketball hey day.

My high school buddies and I still think HS bball sectionals in Northside Gym in the '80s were the best sporting events we've ever attended. Obviously, our ages at the time played a part. Yearly sell outs were awesome. Great old gym that could seat 5k?

We had Penn, Concord, Goshen, both Elkhart schools, etc. and it was a blast. Shawn Kemp, Ross Hales, Jamar Johnson, Tim Thomas (guard at Penn), Daimon Beathea, Jeff Massey, and a bunch of farm boys who could shoot and play. The school cheering sections were great, as they would cheer for the underdog in any game and really get into it. But it could also get ugly: Kemp's jr. or sr. year, Concord was playing Elkhart Central, and at half, some of their fans through bananas at him as he was walking off the court. He tried to go into the stands after them. Knight came one year to see Kemp play, too, and the buzz in the gym was incredible.

 

[zeke4ahs]

I've never been there, but certainly it's legendary. Don't quote me but aren't the 7 out of 10 largest high school gyms in Indiana? I wish I could have visited them all. That would make a cool roadtrip. Have any of you guys done this? The Wigwam isn't being used anymore is it? Didn't they decide it was too costly to continue its upkeep?

Yes it’s so sad. Just sitting there. Several companies have shown interest in developing it for a community center but no one has followed through.

 

[zeke4ahs]

My high school buddies and I still think HS bball sectionals in Northside Gym in the '80s were the best sporting events we've ever attended. Obviously, our ages at the time played a part. Yearly sell outs were awesome. Great old gym that could seat 5k?

We had Penn, Concord, Goshen, both Elkhart schools, etc. and it was a blast. Shawn Kemp, Ross Hales, Jamar Johnson, Tim Thomas (guard at Penn), Daimon Beathea, Jeff Massey, and a bunch of farm boys who could shoot and play. The school cheering sections were great, as they would cheer for the underdog in any game and really get into it. But it could also get ugly: Kemp's jr. or sr. year, Concord was playing Elkhart Central, and at half, some of their fans through bananas at him as he was walking off the court. He tried to go into the stands after them. Knight came one year to see Kemp play, too, and the buzz in the gym was incredible.

I had friends at Elkhart Central then. I remember that. Knight was in Anderson a couple times and he’d sit so far away from the court. But everyone sure knew he was there. We hosted Gene Keady at my house once ( Dad a PU trustee) when he was recruiting Troy Lewis. My dad almost didn’t let me meet him as he was afraid I’d mouth off. I behaved

 

[Spartans9312]

I get all of the nostalgia for the good ol' days, Sparty, but the complaining about the current format sounds pretty "woe is me". We should all just stipulate that things will never be as good as those glory days when any person in the world was young.

Two of the things I’m glad I got to see and experience…single class basketball and the Bob Knight led Indiana Hoosiers. If you think the iterations of both now are better…make your case

 

[Spartans9312]

Have you ever been to the Wigwam? Those sectionals were always among the toughest with Anderson, Madison Heights, and Highland all good. Then always had some smaller schools good, like Lapel with Mark Barnhizer, Pendleton, etc. They had a drawing for who got tickets and the gym was packed for that, Families passed down season tickets in their will. Basketball hey day.

The wigwam was awesome in its heyday….another thing I’m glad I experienced

 

[Bulk VanderHuge]

Maroon and gold.

View embedded media

 

[Cortez88]

My old high school won Semi-State and plays #1 Fishers Saturday. Sheron Wilkerson is Jeffersonville’s coach. Reportedly a very good one.

They have a very good team. Just a bunch of dogs (in the best way possible). Tough kids.

 

[hoosboot]

Two of the things I’m glad I got to see and experience…single class basketball and the Bob Knight led Indiana Hoosiers. If you think the iterations of both now are better…make your case

I suppose it depends on who you ask. I have great memories of both, but I'm no longer connected to either and neither is really about me anyway.

It's really the "woe is me crowd" and "hand out more trophies" stuff that makes you sound a little "get off my lawn". Memories are great, but I'd take Danny Hurley as a coach any day.

 

[VanPastorMan]

And why were you attending THAT game? Seems kinda far from home right?

I was listening to the Park Heritage/ University game last night because it was in the Hatchet House. That's my high school. I was listening on Youtube and made a comment during the live feed. Suddenly one of the announcers says, "From VanPastorMan who says He was rooting for Linton/Stockton in the earlier game but they had a good season. He and his wife are both Hatchet alums and VanPastorMan said he gets tired just thinking about when he had to do stair laps in gym class"

 

[VanPastorMan]

They have a very good team. Just a bunch of dogs (in the best way possible). Tough kids.

Wilkerson is a very good coach. Those kids play hard and do have a lot of discipline. They run motion offense, which back in the day a lot of high schools in Indiana ran it.