stairway to heaven

Not only does Bluffton own 31 Sectional titles, many of those occurred right here, in this gym that rises cathedral-like from the maple floor.  Although the Tigers have moved on to a newer school & gym, this temple of Indiana basketball has remained just that, a meeting place for the community, a place to bond with family and friends.  Instead of packing the house on Friday nights, however, these friends gather on Sundays as members of the Life Community Church under the watchful eye of their "coach", Pastor Steve Surbaugh.  As we have seen many times, basketball and religion seem to appear in the same sentence in the Indiana story.  CGS.

the northeastern outpost

Like a fortress on the frontier, the old Angola gym anchors our northeastern corner - only Fremont stands between Indiana and the foreign turf of Wolverines & Buckeyes.  For the Lady Hornets of Angola this old gym is a safe and welcoming place;  a place to hone your skills & learn about teamwork.  And after graduation, a place where you are remembered and always welcome.  CGS.

land of the arches

Sunken gyms seem to be an architectural standard in southern Indiana, protected from the surrounding environment, but up north gymnasiums rise from the landscape with sweeping arches, announcing their presence to all who pass by. Such is the case with Churubusco and Adams Central.  Like twins separated at birth (they are 50 miles apart) these two structures have many of the same elements but most importantly they showcase spirit, hard work and a way forward for their students.  I was lucky enough to witness volleyball camp at Adams Central and a private basketball lesson (Coach Chris Paul & 9 year old Caiden Malcolm) at Churubusco on an early summer day.  Lucky to see young athletes attempting to soar like the architecture above them.  CGS.

faith & honor

In 1930 our country was in between two World Wars and only months into the Great Depression.  The 1930 state basketball championship matched up two of the most successful programs in Hoosier history, Muncie and Washington (Muncie would eventually win 8 state titles and Washington 7).  And in the northeastern Indiana town of Howe the finishing touches were being applied to a gymnasium that would serve as home court to the young cadets of Howe Military Academy.  Founded as a boy's school in 1844, Howe became a military academy in 1895 and co-educational in 1988.  As one of two military prep schools in Indiana (Culver is the other) Howe has seen it's share of basketball success (two Sectional titles along with several County Championships) but has also experienced low points (a winless season in 2014).  The Academy is currently struggling with enrollment (from a high of 500 in the 1960s to a low of 80 in 2014) & funding and is no longer a member of the IHSAA (and not eligible to play in the state tournament).  Through all of its recent struggles, however, Howe has been able to maintain its historic gym, a living monument to Indiana high school basketball and also a firm belief in their motto - Fides et Honor.  Faith and Honor.  Faith that they will be able to continue their educational mission while honoring those who came before & those yet to come. CGS.

bringing it back

The glory years for the Monroeville Cubs took place in the late 1940's culminating in their only Sectional & Regional titles in 1948.  Following that Sweet Sixteen appearance the men in black & white brought home an undefeated regular season (24-0) before falling to Ft. Wayne Central in the Sectionals.  Now, the old Monroeville High School & gym is the Saint Rose of Lima School and under the watchful eye of principal Gale Powelson is undergoing a well deserved update.  On our five year gym discovery tour we have seen it all -- an old gym being torn down, a new one being built; gyms serving as community centers, elementary & middle schools; and gyms falling into disrepair and total decay.  But, this was the first time we had encountered a hardwood restoration -- a process that requires patience, skill and a high tolerance for dust (witness sander Darrell Cooper of Ft. Wayne).  Just another example of NE Indiana's desire to preserve their part of Hoosier Hysteria.  CGS.