Center Grove lost a true community pillar with the passing of Carol Tumey in October. Tumey devoted her life to Center Grove as a teacher, administrator and coach for 40 years at Center Grove High School (CGHS), before serving three terms on the Center Grove Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees.
“Carol Tumey was truly a Center Grove icon,” said William Long, Ed.D., Center Grove Community School Corporation superintendent, in a recent statement. “She dedicated her life to serving others through her career in education at the secondary and collegiate levels and as an ambassador for her community and athletics. She will be deeply missed.”
Tumey forged a path for female athletes, developing the first girls sports program at CGHS. Tumey became the first girls basketball coach and went on to coach girls track-and-field, volleyball and cross-country teams. She also created the first Johnson County girls basketball tournament.
“Carol Tumey loved Center Grove and dedicated her life to our school district,” said Amy Counts, Center Grove Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees president, in a recent statement. “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to know her. She was a force who left an indelible mark on Center Grove and girls athletics.”
Pat Grimm played basketball at CGHS under Tumey in the mid-1960s, when girls sports were a part of the Girls Athletic Association (GAA). In Grimm’s 1967-1968 senior season, she averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists for the Trojans’ undefeated campaign. Grimm went on to have a great basketball career at Purdue and was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.
“She never settled for less than the best, and that is exhibited by all of the state titles [on display] around the gym,” said Grimm. “Her strengths were in how she related equally to the athletes and administration. She went to bat for us with everything she felt we needed, and never stopped asking or trying to give us endless opportunities. So many women from CG owe their college careers and life careers to Carol Tumey. She was a teacher, a mentor and a lifelong friend – a true icon.”
One of the most decorated CGHS female athletes is CGHS volleyball Head Coach Jennifer (Gandolph) Hawk. The 2001 CGHS graduate played three sports in high school: volleyball, basketball and softball. She was a part of two state championship teams, softball in 1998 and volleyball in 2000. Hawk had a successful college career playing volleyball at Michigan.
“Carol pioneered girls’ sports in our community and across the state,” said Hawk. “She always advocated for us and believed we could do it all. She gave us hope and pride. On a personal level, I will always remember her for being an amazing person who opened her heart to all. She is missed dearly. We loved her and [Tumey’s husband] Dale so much.”
Tumey was an enshrined member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, the Indiana Track and Field Hall of Fame, and the Franklin College Hall of Fame. She received numerous awards throughout her lifetime of service, including the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash from Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, National High School Coach of the Year for track, National High School Coaching Gold Award, and Indiana Athletic Administrator of the Year. CGHS’s track and field venue bears her name on the front straightaway. It was named in her honor in August of 2021.
