It has been over two decades since Bob Heady guided the Shenandoah Raiders boys team to the Final Four in the days before the class tournament.
Now his wait is over and he will be inducted in the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame on March 20.
“For me to go in and join such an elite group of coaches is probably the highlight of my career,” said Heady in a Wednesday phone conversation.
But the start of his credentials to get into the Hall of Fame is rooted as a player for Frankton High School, where he scored over 1,100 points. He enjoyed the Eagles winning their first boys sectional a year ago but explained it was a different world when he played.
“When I was there, we had to beat the Anderson schools and Elwood and it was so doggone difficult,” said Heady. “When I was there we only got to the championship game once.”
He then played at Ball State University.
“I have to give a lot of credit to my wife, Doniece,” said Heady. “We had two kids and I was playing baseball and basketball. I was never at home. I am going to have to put her name on the plaque.”
As with most college graduates who want to coach, Heady started as an assistant. “I was an assistant under Phil Buck and Carl McNulty,” said Heady. “Those were great people to learn about coaching from.”
His first head coaching job was at Griffith and then Wawasee. But in 1976 the position opened at Shenandoah.
“That wasn’t a difficult decision at all,” said Heady. “I wanted to go back to a small community. That experience was great. I never regretted it for a minute. They have a lot of basketball intelligence (at Shenandoah). If we put a team on the floor that played hard, they would support us.”
But the 1981 team did more than play hard. Those Raiders collected sectional, regional and semistate titles. They were defeated in the semifinals of the state, but it wasn’t because they were unprepared.
“Our schedule was really tough back then,” said Heady. “We played Muncie South and the Anderson schools during the season. That prepared us for the tournament.”
So what made that team special?
“They were more like a family than any team I’ve coached,” said Heady. “They did everything together. I don’t mean just a few of them, but all of them. They didn’t care who got the points. They just went out and did their jobs.”
Bob’s son Scott was a central part of that team.
“That made it even more special,” said Heady. “The hardest thing I had to do in coaching was to go back and say goodbye to that team after we lost in the state.”
Heady moved on to coach Carmel and took the Greyhounds to the Final 4. This time Scott was an assistant coach so the pair made another trip together.
Bob Heady’s selection is a good one. I applaud the Hall and him.
Sports
Related Photos
-
Contact sports editor Rick Teverbaugh: 640-4886, rick.teverbaugh@heraldbulletin.com
Discussion
Rick Teverbaugh: Hall call comes for Heady
- Sports
-
-
LeBron saves Heat at buzzer of Game 1
LeBron James caught the inbounds pass, changed direction and immediately attacked the rim.
There was no one in his way.
There was no stopping him, either.
James made a layup as time expired in overtime, capping a 30-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist effort as the Miami Heat found a way to outlast the Indiana Pacers 103-102 in a wildly back-and-forth Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals Wednesday night. There were 18 ties and 17 lead changes, the last two of those coming in the final 2.2 seconds. -
Arabians roll to softball sectional title
Pendleton Heights leadoff hitter Sarah Dixon set the table, and Arabians starting pitcher Bailey Benefiel made sure the visitors got none of the food.
The Arabians stopped Greenfield 7-1 Wednesday night to claim the sectional title. -
Raiders repeat at Eagles’ expense
For only the fourth time in school history and second year in a row, the Wapahani Lady Raiders are softball sectional 40 champions after a 9-4 win Wednesday over the host Frankton Lady Eagles. As with all championships, it did not come easy.
-
Anderson, Richmond left in suspense
The Anderson baseball team’s Class 4A sectional title defense began well Wednesday night.
The only problem is it still hasn’t finished. -
Lions, Blackhawks to be continued
Liberty Christian’s sectional semifinal softball game with Cowan was suspended due to lightning in the top of the seventh inning Wednesday night.
-
Frankton dominates battle of Eagles
A balanced offensive attack and a dominating pitching performance paced the Frankton Eagles as they soared past the Winchester Eagles in the opening round of the IHSAA Class 2A baseball Sectional No. 40, 10-0.
-
Colts Notebook: Luck enjoys first taste of OTAs
Last year at this time, Andrew Luck was in class at Stanford finishing up his degree in architecture design. So he missed the 10 voluntary practices marked as “organized team activities” that allow the offense to go against the defense in shorts and helmets for often energetic scrimmages.
On Wednesday at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center, Luck reflected on his first three days of OTAs and said the experience is another that will help him improve for his second season as the Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback. -
Wilson claims winged sprint victory
Jacob Wilson turned in a dominating performance to win the Must See Winged Sprint feature at Anderson Speedway on Wednesday.
Starting from the pole position, Wilson pulled away from the start from Aaron Pierce. -
Rick Bramwell: Hunter in for big changes
Big changes are likely in store for Hoosier hunters this coming season.
I’m especially excited about the change in rabbit hunting. Slight adjustments will also be seen in deer hunting. It all adds up to more opportunities afield. -
Dan Patch lights up Hoosier Park Saturday night
Hoosier Park will feature the 20th edition of the $200,000 Dan Patch invitational Standardbred race on Saturday.
Tagged as “Thrillyard 200”, the evening full of extreme racing, free fireworks and giveaways has become Indiana’s signature harness racing event. - More Sports Headlines
-
Oklahoma City Thunder Players Tour Moore
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
MLB Hoping for Large Replay Expansion in 2014
America's Cup Officials Say Race Will Continue
LeBron James Wins NBA MVP for Fourth Time
African American Jockey Aims for Derby History
Horse Saved From Slaughter, Goes on to Win Big
Obama: 'Couldn't Be Prouder' of Jason Collins
Sacramento Mayor Lauds NBA Vote on Kings
NBA Star's Aunt: I Am Very Proud of Him
Tebow Time in New York Over After Jets Cut QB
White House Commends Jason Collins on Coming Out
NBA Veteran Jason Collins Comes Out As Gay
Raw: Alligator on Fairway at Zurich Classic
Backpacks Banned From Kentucky Derby
Ex Ravens LB Ayanbadejo Talks Equality
