Winning the Mudsock

Mudsock to Fully Stocked

No question the town of Fishers has gone through a few changes since the days of William Conner.  I gather from a quick search that at one time this area (not really a town yet) was called Mudsock.  Later the name changed to reflect a function of the railroad, so we were called Fishers Switch.  Eventually the reference to the railway was dropped, and we became simply Fishers.  As time passed, the town continued to grow dramatically, especially in the last 30 years, and the result is that we are currently the fourth or fifth largest school district in Indiana—depending on which source you reference.  

From Conner Prairie

Current History

One of the events making current history is the Mudsock football game played yearly between the Royals and Tigers.  It's an amazing thing to witness a high school game that garners this much attention.  Last Friday, around 10,000 people showed up for the festivities.  Tailgating started early, TV trucks lined the alley between the school and stadium, helicopters flew in and out, and the stands filled with blue and red.  Many colleges and universities would envy a turnout like we had.

The Mudsock game is perhaps the premier in-season football event in the state, and I venture to guess there aren't too many high school football games around the nation that bring in this many fans or have the hype we experienced last Friday.  Fishers has come a long way from its humble muddy crossroad beginnings.

From 2012 Mudsock Game

The Logistics

An event like the Mudsock football game, however, doesn’t just spring into existence or maintain its unique characteristic without considerable concerted effort.  An incredible amount of planning and logistical support went into pulling off Friday’s game.  From the outside, it may seem routine—just a larger version of a regular football game, like thousands of others taking place on a Friday nights across the nation.  Those doing the planning know all too well the time and energy it takes to pull off an event that ensures 10,000 people can safely and comfortably enjoy the spectacle.  The planning is far from routine.

The same can be said for much of what goes on inside our school.  Day in and day out we have 3,000 students walking through our doors.  And we repeat this “event” 180 days a year.  Take a moment to consider the logistics of keeping Hamilton Southeastern High School open and education taking place on a daily basis.

Whether it is a band concert, an art show, a club meeting, serving lunch to several thousand students, or a single lesson in a classroom, an incredible amount of thoughtful preparation and effort makes it all happen.  You may not get the news coverage of the Mudsock football game, but those of us on the inside know and appreciate all of the time and work that goes into making each day, each class, and each activity look “routine.”

So you win the Mudsock, Hamilton Southeastern.  It may not be the official one that is presented to sports teams, but your good work and thoughtful approach to education is every bit as important and appreciated.  Whatever your role at HSE, kudos to you and all you do for the students of HSE. 

It’s a great day to be a Royal!

Phil