High school sports can spark spirit in a community

3 High Schools, 4 state championships, 52 years …

A year and a half ago, I moved back to my hometown of Terre Haute after being gone for 37 years. After raising my children in New Castle and living several years in downtown Carmel, I chose to return to home. Finishing my working years here and possibly retiring here. One of the best decisions I have ever made.

Friends, acquaintances and the general community have been beyond welcoming. Terre Haute has so much to offer. The universities alone provide so much in the quality of life category. Concerts, plays, sports to name a few. The city is so walking/ bike friendly it mirrors my experiences in Carmel.

The bike trail system is fantastic and I take advantage everyday I’m in town.

The restaurant options are second to none for a town this size. One can eat in a different country every day of the week. Truly impressive. Where the city mirrors New Castle is the sense of community. The deep seated roots and great pride of your hometown. The fierceness of purpose when people want to improve some aspect of this city.

The economic development in the past few years

is remarkable. In sum, this is a wonderful place to live.

Where those two communities excel, and where we in Terre Haute can learn from, are their commitment to high school sports. The “Front Porch” of any community in Indiana are their high schools.

Specifically their sports programs. Both cities embrace a very symbiotic relationship between the School Corporation, school board, alums and community members at large. Things like streamlined and consistent youth programs. Large ticket items such as equipment, weight rooms or even new playing fields are green lighted with regularity.

Maybe not so much of a surprise at Carmel, but with a financially challenged city like New Castle?

Impressive.

We all know the benefits to healthy and competitive high school sports programs for our kids.

But those same benefits are just as healthy for a community. Civic pride, common goals, and economic development.

I’ve seen the positive aspect of community involvement in high school sports up close, for many years. It works and people enjoy spending their time and resources for a positive outcome.

Listening to people in the community over the past year or so, I think there is a hunger to do something.

Maybe this letter will spark a conversation.

Maybe we can change the wording and numbers in my opening sentence above.

— Dave Maddy THN 84’