Head of the Hall: Local grad named shrine’s president

One Franklin College graduate is ending his term as president of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. He’s being succeeded by another.

Steve Witty, a 1965 Center Grove graduate and former Grizzly, was elected to a two-year term as president of the board at last week’s annual meeting. He replaces fellow Franklin College alum Sam Alford.

Witty, a 2012 Hall of Fame inductee, had served as vice president during Alford’s tenure. He will head up the operation through the 2018-19 school year.

“Sam did a fantastic job, and he’s going to be a tough act to follow,” Witty said.

“We’ve had a lot of very good presidents through the years at the Hall of Fame, and I’m really humbled for it to be my turn to serve. So I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Witty said that with an experienced staff on hand, led by longtime executive director, “the president’s job becomes pretty simple — at least that’s what they tell me.”

The 1969 Franklin College graduate also is the current executive director of the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association.

Witty, who now resides in Avon, was inducted into the Hall of Fame after experiencing success as a player and a coach.

A three-year letterman for both the Trojans and Grizzlies, Witty made perhaps his biggest mark as the head coach at Ben Davis from 1990 to 2002. He guided the Giants to state championships in 1995 and 1996 and was the only coach in the 87-year history of non-class basketball to guide a team to four consecutive Final Fours. Witty posted a 266-68 record in his 12 seasons at the school.

Having an opportunity to remain active in Indiana basketball, both through the Hall of Fame and the IBCA, has been a rewarding experience for Witty.

“I really feel blessed to have the opportunity to give back to the game of basketball, which has been so good to me and my family through the years,” he said.