THE REPORTER
Marty Johnson has been named executive director of the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association as part of various leadership changes in the organization, it was announced Monday (July 25).
Johnson, formerly the group’s associate executive director, athletic director at Perry Meridian and a varsity boys’ basketball coach at three schools, was elected to the position in a vote of IBCA executive board. He succeeds Steve Witty, who will remain a part of the organization as executive director emeritus.
In addition, Tom Beach has been named IBCA associate executive director/chief operating officer. Beach previously had held the title of assistant director/chief operating officer.
“It is an honor to represent the more than 2,000 men and women who comprise the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association,” said Johnson, who compiled a 359-238 record over 26 seasons as a coach at Pendleton Heights, East Noble and Whiteland. “Since the IBCA’s inception in 1971, it has been the organization’s goal to provide the best possible experience for the coaches and players who make Hoosier Hysteria great.”
Johnson becomes the IBCA’s sixth executive director since the group’s founding. The late Marion Crawley was the first person in the role, serving from 1971 to 1977. He was followed by Virgil Sweet from 1977 to 1984, the late Bob King from 1984 to 1994, George Griffith from 1994 to 2002 and Witty from 2002 to 2022.
“It is humbling to follow in the footsteps of those who have made Indiana high school basketball what it is,” Johnson said, noting all those who preceded him as IBCA executive director. “Steve Witty assumed the position in the summer of 2002, and I have been honored to work alongside him as an assistant director and associate executive director since that time.”
Johnson also was on the IBCA board of directors in 1990-91, was its president from 1998 to 2000 and served as past president from 2000 to 2002.
Beach, formerly the boys’ varsity coach at Forest Park and Shelbyville, continues in a key leadership role for the IBCA. He served as IBCA president from 2008 to 2011 and as past president from 2011 to 2014. He has been an IBCA assistant director the past eight years, adding the title of chief operating officer in 2021-22.
“I have been a member of the IBCA for more than 30 years and have been directly involved in some capacity for more than 20 years,” said Beach, who compiled a 227-98 record in 14 seasons as a varsity coach. “It is humbling and exciting to move into this next chapter of my life. I will do my best to continue the traditions of the past while being excited about the future of the organization.”
Witty, the IBCA’s longest tenured executive director, moves into an emeritus role where he will continue to consult and advise IBCA leadership but no longer be in charge of the organization’s day-to-day operations.
“I would like to thank all past and present IBCA board members,” said Witty, who compiled a 266-68 record as varsity boys’ basketball coach at Ben Davis from 1989 to 2002 and has totaled 53 years in basketball as a head coach, assistant coach or IBCA executive director.
“It has been an honor to work with these individuals while we served coaches and players across the state and strived to give back to the game we all know and love. I also want to thank all IBCA member coaches for their support of our professional organization as well as the corporate partners and other individuals who have always been there for the IBCA through the years.”
Witty noted that while he is stepping down as executive director, he still will maintain a role within the group that he has led for 20 years.
“As I assume emeritus status with the IBCA, I will continue to perform various duties for the organization,” Witty said. “But it is time for the day-to-day leadership of the organization to be turned over to a new generation of leaders who care about our game, the coaches, the players and the IBCA as much as I do. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for the IBCA.”
Johnson, meanwhile, said the IBCA leadership will continue to serve players and coaches while striving to be aware of issues that basketball may face as it moves forward.
“I along with the 11-member board of directors and the 15 elected district representatives will honor the legacy of all who came before us,” he said. “We will do everything possible to continue with the storied tradition of the IBCA.”
The IBCA membership year runs from Aug. 1 to July 31 each year. These leadership changes take effect with the new 2022-23 membership year beginning on Aug. 1.