In today’s game, coaches have to be everything from psychiatrists, to surrogate parents, nutritionists, travel agents, camp counselors and, apparently, promoters.
Dropping attendance figures at high school sporting events are nothing new. New ideas to get people into the gyms and supporting the teams are about a dime a dozen.
And with winter sports getting into full swing, let’s take a look as some of the new ways to get people into the gyms this week.
At Pendleton Heights, tonight the wrestling team hosts Greenfield-Central. Not only is it alumni night, but it’s also a celebration of 40 years of the Arabians wrestling program.
If you were a wrestler, coach, mat maid, manager, trainer or former Arabians Wrestling Club officer and wish to attend the festivities tonight, be at the gym by 6:30 p.m. to register.
PH wrestling coach Dave Cloud is looking to make this event as special as a 40th anniversary warrants.
The boys basketball season tips off this week, and there are just a few games on the docket this week.
Anderson boys coach Ron Hecklinski has been channeling his inner P.T. Barnum trying to come up with ways to get people back in the Wigwam, and he’s looking to the Indians’ storied history for inspiration.
Saturday night’s opener against Taylor has been dubbed Alumni Night, and by all indications it should be a success. But that’s just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
Nearly every Indians game at home this season has something going on. On Dec. 5, the Indians will honor former Anderson football standout Ray Wilson. The following week against Wapahani will be a reunion of the 1983 regional teams from Anderson and Wapahani high schools.
One of the more ambitious ideas is set to take place Jan. 22 when the Indians host Marion for their annual North Central Conference meeting, as that will be Indiana All-Star Night. There will — hopefully — be a gathering of any and all Indiana All-Star basketball players who went through the halls of Anderson High.
Lapel has its special recognition nights planned out for everything from honoring local business leaders to current and former teachers to police, fire and emergency personnel and veterans.
Factor in the teams playing hard night in and night out, and this sounds like a good combination.
As the NFL season winds down and the possibility of not one but two teams going 16-0 becomes more and more a likely scenario, I realize that members of the 1972 Miami Dolphins will be popping up out of the woodwork once again.
And with every appearance on NFL network and ESPN, those old Dolphins will get to feel important and lord over everyone that they were able to do it when no one else could.
To the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints: Go for it.
Contact Quintin Harlan: 640-4835, quintin.harlan@heraldbulletin.com.
