Statewide – During the Thursday morning meeting of the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA), the Executive Committee renamed the Class 4A Baseball Mental Attitude Award in honor of former Commissioner Bob Gardner. Since 1967, the sport’s mental attitude award had been named in honor of L.V. Phillips, who had served as the second IHSAA commissioner from 1945-62. Phillips’ name will continue to be on the Class 2A and 3A awards.
Bob Gardner, also a former principal at Milan High School, served as IHSAA commissioner from 1995-2000 and spent 15½ years on the administrative staff before joining the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), the national high school organization for athletics and activities. Gardner retired in 2018 after having served 18 years on its staff including the last eight years as the organization’s Executive Director.