Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
BEDFORD – The featured panel for the upcoming 2024 Becky Skillman Leadership Institute is sure to stir fond memories in the hearts of Hoosiers.
The panel will feature four icons from the sports world, two players who also coached and two journalists:
- Indiana University Hoosier and Bedford North Lawrence Star Damon Bailey, who also went on to coach at BNL. Bailey remains the all-time leading scorer in Indiana high school basketball history (3,134) and led BNL to the 1990 state title. At IU, he played for Bob Knight and graduated with more wins in an IU jersey than any other player (108). Returning to his alma mater, he was head coach of the 2014 4A girls state champion Stars.
- Danny Bush coached Bailey and the Stars, including the team’s 1990 state championship. He was a member of Oolitic High School’s two sectional winning teams and went on to play at Indiana State University, where he was a three-year starter and scored over 1,000 points.
- Bob Hammel was Herald-Times sports editor from 1966-96. He was named the top sportswriter in Indiana 15 times by the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association and has written five books about Hoosier basketball.
- Bob Bridge, former Times-Mail sports editor and columnist, covered BNL girls and boys state championship seasons and appearances in the state finals. In 2005, he was inducted into the Indiana Sportswriters & Sportscasters Hall of Fame.
All four are members of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame and each made a lasting impact as players, coaches and storytellers.
The 10th annual Becky Skillman Leadership Institute is set for Oct. 9 at the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence County.
Named for the former Indiana lieutenant governor and Bedford native, the annual event invites state and local leaders to share qualities of leadership and inspire the community to become servant leaders in their communities.
Skillman said the panel will provide the audience an opportunity “to hear from the best of the best in basketball.”
“The attendees love to hear the speakers’ thoughts on leadership as they reflect on their life’s journey,” Skillman said. “I also expect these four panelists to share entertaining and inspirational stories about one another.”
Sports figures have been frequent speakers at the annual event and are always popular with attendees.
“The committee understands we are so fortunate to have four Hall of Famers participate in this year’s event,” she said.
Past speakers have included US Sen. Dan Coats, US Rep. Lee Hamilton, former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, wife of former Vice President Mike Pence, Karen Pence, Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles and former Mr. Basketball and NBA player Luke Zeller.
Skillman was approached about starting a speaker series after her final term ended as lieutenant governor. It has been a successful event since the first year.
“I take no credit for the idea of hosting this event but I’m pleased with the results,” Skillman said. “We’re able to make a contribution to the Boys and Girls Club and it’s very important to support the next generation of leaders.”
Luncheon details
Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. The luncheon is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are $50 each Table sponsorships are available for $600 and $1,000. Proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club.
Register with cash/check: Sally at [email protected] or visit the Bedford Chamber of Commerce office. Register with credit card or request an invoice: Ashley at [email protected] or call/text 812-583-8908.