I have been keeping a secret from you all.

That goes against my nature. I am in the information distribution business. I gather information, organize it in a format that works for you all, and then get it to you.

And in the process, others like me in the same line of work try to achieve that as quickly as possible.

Just imagine what it’s been like for me keeping a secret for the last six months.

It’s been incredibly difficult.

Six months ago was July, and on a sunny, breezy Northern Indiana afternoon, I was sitting in a lawn chair in my driveway watching cars drive back and forth across my street. It was a little too windy to go fishing that day, so I was just chilling out at home. My son was working on his basketball moves, my wife was working on her flowers, my daughter was in the house reading, and my black lab was on the other end of the leash I was holding.

My phone rang.

I saw that the caller ID said it was Chuck Freeby from Sports Michiana. I get calls from Chuck from time to time, but never in July. For what felt like five minutes (but was really only five seconds), I speculated in my head what he might be calling me about.

I snapped out of that and answered the phone.

What he told me would change my life forever.

He was calling me to tell me that I was going to be inducted into the Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame.

I heard all the words, but I most certainly didn’t comprehend what he was saying.

When it finally sank in, he was talking about me. Me!

I am not a member of this organization because I felt like the people whom I knew were already in it were a way bigger deal than me. They were famous people—some of them were people I aspired to be like in a younger life.

Chuck was telling me on the phone that summer afternoon that I was about to become a peer of theirs.

After giving me the information about when and where the ceremony would take place, he gave me the haunting instructions that no one but my wife could know until the announcement was made in January.

The most exciting news of my professional life and I couldn’t tell anyone?

Nope … no one.

Last Thursday, when the press release was sent out from the ISSA, I was still in so much disbelief and surprise that I opened it right away, looking for my name to see if it was really on there, or if it was all just a dream.

I scrolled down, and there it was…this was really happening.

There isn’t enough space in a thousand newspapers to express my feelings. Joy. Gratitude. Reflection.

Thank you to all of you who have reached out in the days since the announcement. It’s a statewide award, and so people from all over Indiana have sent me congratulatory messages.

We’ll talk more about this in early April.

With the space I have left, I want to circle back to my first year here at WRSW and share my thoughts on the passing of Ted Huber last week.

Huber was the varsity football coach at Warsaw for seven seasons—from 1988 to 1994.

That means he was the football coach here when I started back in 1991.

We didn’t hit it off right away. He was focused on trying to win football games and I was a 23-year-old kid trying to figure out how being a high school football commentator worked in the real world. There are things college radio can’t train you for, and those were the things I was trying to navigate.

It wasn’t that Coach Huber was hard to work with, it was that I was inexperienced.

I moved on to broadcasting Tippecanoe Valley games in 1994, and Coach Huber moved on as well.

A few years later, our paths crossed again. He saw me first and walked quickly over to say ‘hello’. He smiled when he asked how I was doing and if the people at Valley were taking good care of me (which they were, of course).

From then on, every time we were in the same room, we sought each other out.

His career in coaching is legendary: He is in the Bremen High School Hall of Fame, the Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame, the Indiana Football Hall of Fame and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

He is beloved by and will be missed by many — and I am included in that group.

Sunday, his family will say their final “goodbyes.” Today, I say mine.

Goodbye, Coach Huber, and thank you.

The post A secret and a goodbye appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — Warsaw Community Schools has announced the 4th Annual "We Are Tigers" Athletic Auction & Dinner, including the prestigious 3rd Hall of Fame Induction Class, will  take place in the iconic Warsaw Community High School Tiger Den on Thursday, Feb. 22.

This hallmark event celebrates our athletic heritage, fosters community spirit and raises essential funds for our dedicated athletic teams.

Event Highlights:

• Fundraising Efforts: ALL PROCEEDS from the event will directly benefit the participating ATHLETIC TEAMS, with 10% of revenue allocated for Senior Banners.

• Special Focus: This year’s "Paddle Raise" is dedicated to supporting "Team Bonding" expenses, fostering unity and camaraderie among our athletes.

• Hall of Fame Induction: The event proudly inducts 1 team and 9 distinguished individuals into the 3rd Hall of Fame class, honoring their remarkable contributions to our sports legacy. View the inductees here.

Ticket Information:

• General Admission: Adults can purchase tickets at $7, providing access to upper deck seating, a preview of online auction items, and eligibility for raffle prizes. Tickets are available for purchase by teams and at the door.

• Free Admission for Students: All students (K-12) are invited to attend free of charge, emphasizing our commitment to community engagement.

• Premium Seating: Reserved tables (seating 8) and individual tickets, including a catered dinner by Foodology, are available for purchase here.

Online Auction:

• Bidding Schedule: Online bidding opens on Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 5 p.m. and concludes on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. Start bidding on your favorite items here.

• Matching Donations: The Athletic Department, along with Dr. Hoffert and the School Board, will MATCH all TEAM BONDING/SCHOLARSHIP donations up to $1,000 for each program.

• Exclusive In-Person Bids: Additional auction items will be exclusively available for in-person bidding to attendees seated at tables.

Post-Event Details:

• Item Pickup: Auction items can be collected at the WCHS Athletic Office starting Friday, Feb. 23rd from 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and during the following week. For larger items, alternative pick-up locations may apply.

For any inquiries, please contact the athletic office at 574-371-5091.

For a link to auction website to purchase tickets, bid on items and view Hall of Fame Inductees, click here.

The post Warsaw announces annual “We Are Tigers” Athletic Auction, Dinner appeared first on News Now Warsaw.