The IBCA has created a fourth scholarship program for the 2023-24 academic year. The new award will be presented in the names of Steve and Jeanie Witty.
It is planned that two Witty scholarships will be awarded annually, and these will be in addition to previous IBCA scholarships that have been presented in the names of Marion Crawley, Junior Mannies and Pat Aikman.
Steve Witty has been a member of the IBCA since its inception in the 1970-71 academic year, and he served on the IBCA board of directors as a district representative in 1995-97 while an active coach. Upon his retirement from coaching in 2002, Witty succeeded George Griffith as IBCA Executive Director and held that position for 20 years. In 2022, Steve assumed Executive Director Emeritus status with the IBCA and continues to serve as a consultant for the organization.
As a coach, Witty guided Ben Davis to back-to-back Indiana high school boys’ basketball state championships in 1995 and 1996. He is the only coach in IHSAA single-class tournament history to lead a team to four consecutive State Finals appearances. He was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.
Jeanie Witty, Steve's wife, was a retired registered nurse who upon her retirement became Steve's administrative assistant. She handled many behind-the-scenes duties for the organization and helped out at many IBCA events. Sadly, Jeanie passed away from glioblastoma (brain cancer) in April 2023. She served the IBCA for 18 years.
Scholarship candidates must fulfill the following criteria to be considered for the new Witty Scholarship:
- Must be a graduating senior and the son or daughter of an active IBCA coach.
- Must be a graduating senior pursuing a career in education/coaching or the medical field (physician, physician’s assistant, nursing, X-ray technician or medical technician).
- GPA of 3.25 or better.
- SAT of 1000 (combined critical reading/math) or ACT composite score of 22 or better.
- Completed nomination form signed by the coach and Principal or Athletic Director.
- Nomination forms are due by Feb. 13, 2024.
The IBCA has presented scholarships to graduating seniors since 1975. Called the IBCA Award at its inception, the first IBCA scholarships were renamed to recognize Marion Crawley in 1987. The IBCA Junior Mannies Scholarship, which goes to a student who has overcome a physical adversity, has been awarded since 1983. The Pat Aikman Character and Leadership Award, which goes to students who plan to study journalism, sports management, athletic training or physical therapy in college, has been awarded since 2011.
Crawley was a successful coach and the IBCA’s first executive director. Mannies also was a successful coach and the IBCA’s first job-placement director. Aikman was the Indiana All-Star games director for 20 years and later served as the IBCA’s coordinator of special projects.
For more information on the Mannies, Crawley and Aikman scholarship, see Item 19 in this newsletter.
