Indy Standard

Indianapolis Public Schools' (IPS) Athletics Manager, Josh Varno, recently highlighted the accomplishments and future directions for district athletics to the Board of School Commissioners. Varno detailed how investments in athletic facilities and academic support are resulting in IPS student-athletes excelling both academically and athletically.

"Our mission is to provide all IPS students with various worthwhile athletic opportunities that support their holistic development," Varno stated. "Participating in athletics plays a critical role in student growth—it improves physical and mental health, enhances cognitive function, and helps build confidence. Through sports, our students also develop key life skills like time management, leadership, and teamwork that benefit them both in the classroom and beyond."

These improvements are part of the district's Rebuilding Stronger initiative, which has been focused on upgrading athletic facilities over the past year. Varno mentioned that upgrades, including new turf fields, updated lighting, and modern sound systems, aim to put middle school facilities on par with those at high schools.

Participation rates in sports have seen a substantial increase, with a 111% rise in fall sports and an 18% increase in winter sports compared to the previous year. Several schools, such as Crispus Attucks, Shortridge, George Washington, and Arsenal Tech, are benefiting from upgrades to their tracks and fields.

Additionally, Varno noted a trend of academic success among student-athletes. The 2023–24 school year saw student-athletes achieving GPAs 22% higher than their peers, attending school 10% more often, and experiencing 34% fewer behavior incidents.

IPS continues to support student-athletes with academic initiatives like study halls, tutoring, and mentoring in order to help them manage both their scholastic and sporting responsibilities. These efforts are expected to improve graduation rates and future success.

Looking forward, the athletic department is developing a strategic plan with a focus on student-athlete development, operations, and community engagement.