Class is in session, and we’re banking on a great year ahead. Here’s to making smart moves this school year, in and out of the classroom! Proud to be the Official Bank of the IHSAA

A Letter from the Commissioner My father was an Indiana State Policeman. A real Road Trooper. While I grew up with an appreciation and admiration for law enforcement, I also grew up in the 60s and 70s. When it came to people’s thoughts on the police (or “the man”, for that matter) there were a lot of parallels with today’s world. In a word: polarizing. Nevertheless, having a parent who served his community, tried his best to do right, and helped make Indiana a better place gives me a sense of pride I won’t attempt to put into words. The 2025-26 school year has also brought about a lot to be proud of for Indiana and the IHSAA. One achievement that means a lot to me is the expansion of the Association’s relationship with the Indiana State Police. Our organizations share a lot in common: we’re both regulatory institutions, we’ve both been described as “polarizing” (especially if you’ve been on social media following the May 4 IHSAA Board Meeting), and we both serve our Hoosier communities in all 92 Indiana counties. I think about comparisons between the ISP and the IHSAA a lot. For any regulatory institution, you’re rarely portrayed as “the nice guy” when it comes to general public perception. Afterall, when you’re the one enforcing the rules—whether it be issuing a ticket for speeding or ruling on a question of eligibility—whoever is on the receiving end of the (sometimes) bad news isn’t likely to walk away with warm, fuzzy feelings. On a human level, that’s difficult to deal with time and again. It can be hard to keep in mind that a lawless society is no society at all, and that rules are enforced for the protection of everyone. It’s especially hard when you know that the rules can’t be perfect. And the fact is, not all of the IHSAA’s 100+ bylaws are perfect. Our rules have to apply to the top 1%, the bottom 1%, and the 98% in between. Naturally, someone is going to find an issue with that range of coverage. But honestly, how could our rules be perfect? They were made by people. There’s only been one perfect person to walk this earth. And I promise you, my mother was never a member of the IHSAA’s Board of Directors. As imperfect as the IHSAA bylaws are, though, they are designed to protect education-based athletics. Despite the occasional social forum that says otherwise, we are not in the business of punishing schools or student-athletes. Our rules and regulations are put together by leaders who try to do right and make Indiana education-based athletics better. And what makes it even better is this: our bylaws are not set in stone. There is a process to change them. They are voted on by 19 elected representatives from all 412 member schools, all of whom are working to serve their Hoosier communities. In fact, over the past five years, there have been over 30 major changes to our Association’s bylaws. As polarizing as some of the IHSAA rules and rule changes may be made out to be, I have a tremendous amount of respect for our team dedicated to enforcing, upholding, and following them. From our Board of Directors to our staff in the IHSAA office, to our member school personnel and families who do the right thing—I’m proud to work with you in the mission of education-based athletics. In service, Paul Neidig IHSAA Commissioner #ThisIsYourIHSAA

#IHSAA Softball State Finals 🏆🥎 The state championship schedule has been set with the 3A and 4A games set for Friday (June 12) and the 1A and 2A games set for Saturday (June 13) at Purdue University's Bittinger Stadium! ➡️ihsaa.org/sports/girls/softb…