Each year the IBCA Board of Directors selects individuals from each of the three IBCA Districts to receive the Virgil Sweet Distinguished Service Award. The award, named in honor of the longtime Executive Director of the IBCA, are given to individuals who have provided meritorious service in the promotion of basketball in the state of Indiana.
Stu Swartz
District I
Receiving sports' media recognition is nothing new to Goshen News sportswriter Stu Swartz. A graduate of Goshen High School, Swartz began his sportswriting career covering Goshen High School baseball while still a junior in high school. He eventually studied at Iowa State University, and then served in the U. S. Army for 11 months. For nearly three decades Swartz has covered the Goshen area sports scene. Among the previous awards' won by Stu are the following-Distinguished Service Award from Indiana Athletic Administration Association in 1996, media honors award from the Indiana Football Coaches Association, district media honors from the Indiana Baseball Coaches. Stu, thanks for all you do for high school sports.
Jackie and Cory Webster
District I
Jackie and Cory Webster began the Region Roundball Review in August of 1998 after realizing that there was a need for fans, parents, players and coaches to easily share and find information about girls' basketball in Indiana. Through their involvement in AAU basketball while coaching their daughter Alex Webster (Crown Point “02”, Wisconsin Green Bay “07” and now a D-I Coach at IPFW), Jackie and Cory met and befriended many basketball families and coaches around the state. Early on the goal of the RRR was to help promote players and teams from Northwest Indiana. But as the site grew, so did the coverage of players and teams from all over the state. The current mission of the RRR is to “promote Northwest Indiana girls' basketball teams and players, as well as teams and players from all around the Hoosier state for statewide recognition, college scholarships, and national promotion of Indiana girls’ and women’s basketball.” The RRR has had over 2.2 million visitors since its' inception and continues to serve as a valuable recruiting resource for college coaches at all levels around the country. Out of an interest in web design skills she developed while working on the RRR Jackie established a web design business (www.smallwebsolutions.com) that serves small to medium businesses and professional organizations around the country, including the Indiana AAU Girls Basketball Website (www.indiana-aau.org). Jackie and Cory, thanks for everything you do to promote our great game.
Larry Barrett
District II
Larry is from Boswell, Indiana (Benton County). He is a 1967 graduate of the University of Indianapolis where he earned a B. S. in Business/Economics. He spent 31 years in the banking industry and from 1973-1992 was President, Chairman and CEO of Great Lakes Bancorp, Security Savings and Fletcher Savings. From 1993-2001 Larry served as Executive Director and Secretary of the Kiwanis International Foundation.
Larry has served in various leadership roles with the Indianapolis Athletic Club, Amateur athletic Union and the Baxter YMCA. Since 1984 Larry has been the emcee of the Kiwanis Club Indianapolis, Downtown Boys Basketball State Finals luncheon. Larry and his wife of fifty years, Sally, are the proud parents of Brian and Beau and five grandchildren. Larry, congratulations and thanks for all you do for high school basketball.
Ed Siegel
District II
Coach Siegel is from New Albany where he was a member of the 1950 Final Four team. He was a four year basketball letterman at Franklin College before beginning a 33 year coaching career. He spent 25 years as varsity basketball coach at Pike High School, leading the Red Devils to 458 wins and 22 team championships. During his career Coach Siegel received 14 different Coaches of the Year Awards and was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997. During his career Coach Siegel has served on the IBCA Board, was president of the IBCA in 1980 and for 15 years served as the IBCA Coaches Poll Coordinator. Since 1980 he also has served as IBCA Clinic Director during Saturday morning sessions. Coach Siegel retired from coaching in 1995, served on the Indiana basketball Hall of Fame Board of Directors and he is presently Director Emeritus. Coach Siegel continues to give back to the game by serving as Chairman of several Hall of Fame Committees. Congratulations coach and thanks for everything.
Hugh Schaefer
District III
Hugh graduated from Freelandville High School, Oakland City University and Indiana State University. He coached junior varsity and varsity basketball at Monroe City High School and South Knox High School. He taught 39 years in the history department at the South Knox School Corporation. Five times Schaefer received the “Who’s Who” among America Teachers Award and the South Knox Basketball program has named a scholarship in his honor.
Hugh started researching high school basketball 51 years ago. He has written many articles on the subject, appeared on radio talk shows and has given many speeches on high school basketball, always promoting high school sports. Hugh has served as an Associate Board member for the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame and is a charter member of the Indiana High School Basketball Historical Society. Starting in 1953, he has not missed attending a sectional basketball tournament. Hugh and his wife Glenda are proud parents of son, Chad. Hugh thanks for your contributions to Indiana high School Basketball.
