Kaitlin White takes Columbus North’s first shot from the field against Columbus East Dec. 14, 2023 at Columbus North High School.
The Republic file photo
Steve Witty served as the executive director of the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association for 20 years following a coaching career that saw him win a pair of state championships at Ben Davis.
After Witty’s wife Jeanie retired as a registered nurse, she became Steve’s administrative assistant with the IBCA and served in that role for 18 years before passing away in April of 2023.
This year, Steve started the Steve and Jeanie Witty Scholarship for student-athletes who are the child of a current-year IBCA-member coach and plan to pursue a career in education and coaching or something in a medical field such as a physician, physician’s assistant, nurse or medical technician.
Columbus North senior Kaitlin White, the daughter of Bull Dogs coach Brett White, is the inaugural female recipient of the Witty Scholarship. J.D. Lynch of Brownsburg is the male winner.
“I’m really grateful for it,” Kaitlin said. “It’s an honor to receive it, especially since it’s the first year. I think it’s really special and just an honor to be the first one to receive it. I’m excited about my future in nursing.”
Kaitlin White
Kaitlin, who ranks ninth in her class with a 4.28 GPA, plans to major in nursing at the University of Indianapolis. She played volleyball and basketball all four years at North.
“I actually did not know about (the scholarship),” she said. “It was a surprise (Monday) when I found out about it. I had no idea.”
Meanwhile, two other local girls athletes were among the 34 boys and girls honored with Marion Crawley Scholarships. Criteria for the Crawley Scholarship includes achievement in basketball, achievement in academics, participation in extracurricular activities and service to one’s school and community.
Crawley was a four-time boys basketball state championship coach — two at Washington and two at Lafayette Jeff. He later became the first executive director of the IBCA, serving in that role from 1970-74. He then served as the IBCA assistant executive director from 1974 until he passed away in 1982.
Kyah Streeval
Hauser senior Bella Kilps and Edinburgh senior Kyah Streeval are among the recipients. Streeval has been a three-sport athlete for the Lancers, playing volleyball, basketball and softball.
“It’s an honor,” Streeval said. “I’m really happy that I was able to get that. It came as a shock. I didn’t really know much about it.”
Bella Kilps
Kilps, who played basketball and tennis all four years, is Hauser’s valedictorian with a 4.29 GPA. She is headed to Ball State to major in marketing and graphic design.
“Obviously, it’s very exciting,” Kilps said. “I was very happy when I found out. I certainly wasn’t expecting it. I filled (the application) out knowing it was the entire state of Indiana, and I didn’t know how many people would be applying. ”
