I had an enjoyable and informative conversation with Coach Jim Sturgeon of Irvington Preparatory Academy where he is the assistant Athletic Director and Head Coach of the girl’s basketball team. Coach Sturgeon is 73 years old, but is going on 23 as he says. He has a youthful enthusiasm coupled with a positive joy and passion for the work that he does. A Lawrenceburg, Indiana native, Coach Sturgeon went west to Oakland City College in California where he graduated in 1960. He has spent his career as both a football and basketball coach in various assignments and has also served as a school athletic director on three occasions. He served as Howe High School’s Football Coach for two seasons.
Coach Sturgeon wanted to share the athletic program the Academy has built in a relatively short period of time. Both boys and girls sports are represented in the elementary, middle, and high school level. The Ravens don’t have an approved gymnasium yet so they play their home games at Howe High School. The school administrators and parents are currently working on putting together a football program for the school. So there are many ambitious plans in the works for the school.
One of the things I like to do with this column is call attention to some deserving sports programs and the dedicated people who are involved with them. So I will be let you folks know about the progress of the Irvington Preparatory Academies Athletics program and the various teams involved. I will also call attention to some of the talented young athletes who are competing for the Ravens and how they are progressing in their various sports.
snicewanger@yahoo.com