INDIANA -- I noticed when I was researching other projects, that from time to time I would come across a newspaper account of someone passing away at or during a ballgame. Just out of curiosity I started jotting down these instances on a scrap paper I kept in my desk.
I'm considering adding it to the end of the Record Book under the last category of oddities and miscellaneous. Too macabre? One could say that we all have to go, and there may be no better place to leave this earth, but then again it's difficult to think in those terms when you read about players passing at such a young age.So now what to do with this list..
Hoosiers that Have Passed Away at a High School Basketball Game
Ora Baker, Fan (47) Delphi v. Royal Centre 1937-38
Jerome Bayer, Fan () EV Central vs. Muncie Central 1947-48
Marie Bauer, Teacher (58) Peru vs. Kokomo 1960-61
Paul Danko, Referee () Munster v. Whiting 1994-95
Charles Donham, Scorekeeper & Father of Player (39) Hillsboro vs. Veedersburg 1961-62
Ed Dukes, Fan (47) Vincennes vs. Mt. Vernon 2002-03
Walker Elliott, Fan (48) Columbus vs. Howe 1963-64
Francis Faulkner, Father of Player (50) Albany vs. DeSoto 1957-58
Arnold Fisher, Fan (70) Lapel vs. Elwood 1979-80
Bob Fuller, Coach (43) Anderson Highland vs. Lapel 1979-80
Dave Gergely, Player (17) Crown Point vs. Hobart 1975-76
Russel Hornbeck, Referee (40) Battle Ground vs. Buck Creek 1954-55
Glenn Hubbard, Fan (29) Columbus vs. Shelbyville 1960-61
Ivan Hughes, Fan (50) Rossville vs. Lafayette Jeff 1964-65
Jack Johnson, Player (18) Reynolds vs. Buffalo 1953-54
Luella Julius, Mother of Coach (60) Alexandria vs. Middleton 1924-25
Zack Lindley, Fan (79) Muncie Central vs. FW North 1955-56
Jesse P. McClure, Fan (79) EV Central vs. Boonville 1942-43
Edward Monroe, Fan (65) Princeton vs. EV Central 1947-48
Sila Moore, Grandfather of Player (78) Pendleton vs. Fortville 1933-34
George Telle, Fan (70) Portland vs. Polling 1945-46
Dale Sappenfield, Bus Driver (47) Morgan Twp vs. Oolitic 1965-66
Thomas Sawyer, Player (15) Anderson vs. Madison Hts. 1984-85
Royal G. Simon, Fan (69) Jackson Twp vs. Salamonie Twp 1949-50
John Stewart, Player (18) Lawrence North vs. Bloomington South 1998-99
Sidney Swift, Mother of Player (50) Frankfort vs. Marion 1948-49
