CGHS Leaders Awarded With New Positions, Special Honors

Photography Provided by Center Grove Schools

Carol Tumey Honored With Sagamore of the Wabash Award

The Center Grove Board of School Trustees honored Carol Tumey for her 12 years of service to the board at its January board meeting. Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb awarded Tumey the Sagamore of the Wabash award. The Sagamore is the highest honor bestowed by the governor and is presented to Hoosiers who have rendered distinguished service to the state.

Tumey served 40 years as a teacher, coach and athletic administrator at Center Grove High School. During that time she forged a path for female athletes, developing the first girls sports program. Tumey became the first girls basketball coach and went on to coach girls track and field, volleyball, and cross-country teams. She is also credited with creating the first girls county basketball tournament. Upon her retirement from Center Grove in 2003, Tumey became a professor at her alma mater, Franklin College, where she teaches the next generation of educators.

Center Grove High School Head Football Coach Eric Moore uses words like commitment, passion and love when describing Tumey’s legacy at the school.

“The way she loves all the coaches, she loves all the athletes, she loves every sports team – I can’t remember a game as head football coach when I walked out and didn’t see Carol sitting in the front row with her bright smile, with [husband] Dale,” Moore says. “Carol had a plan and a passion to make women’s sports just as good as, and just as equal to, the men’s sports. Carol’s backbone and drive really propelled Center Grove women’s athletics to the forefront. We’re number one in almost every aspect of women’s sports throughout the state every year and it started with our pioneer, Carol Tumey.”

Scott Knapp Named Next Center Grove High School Athletic Director

Center Grove High School Assistant Athletic Director Scott Knapp will succeed Jon Zwitt as athletic director on July 1. Zwitt plans to retire at the end of the school year.

“It is truly an honor to have the opportunity to serve as athletic director of Center Grove High School,” Knapp says. “The traditions, families and academics of Center Grove are unmatched. It has been my dream to be at a school of this caliber with an incredibly supportive fan base, first-class teachers, elite athletes, state-of-the-art facilities, and top-notch programs with nationally recognized coaches at the helm. I am excited to lead the Center Grove athletic department to continued success.”

“I’m extremely excited to have Scott Knapp to serve as the next athletic director for Center Grove High School,” adds Principal Jeff Henderson. “Scott has spent the last eight years serving as the assistant athletic director and has established himself as a valuable asset to our school and community. He is poised to continue the great traditions at CGHS and I look forward to seeing what new ideas he brings to the athletic program in the future. I’m excited to get to work with him in this new role.”

Knapp is in his eighteenth year as an athletic administrator.

Eric Moore Named National Coach of the Year

CGHS Head Football Coach Eric Moore was named the All-American Bowl National Coach of the Year. Moore’s 2020 undefeated Center Grove football team won the Class 6A IHSAA State Championship in November and the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference title. The Trojans have won three football state titles and seven league championships under Moore’s leadership.

Center Grove senior kicker Austin Watson has high praise and respect for his head coach.

“The character that he instills in each of us that go through the program is something I appreciate,” Watson says. “Toughness, fortitude, work ethic, dedication and consistency are things that he has taught me that I will carry with me the rest of my life. Yet, the best part about him is, as tough as things are, he still loves you. That combination of toughness and love is special.”