Brandon Quire
Sentinel Sports Editor
After over sixteen seasons as Southside’s head basketball coach, and over 30 years coaching, Rick Baumgartner has decided to retire from the profession that he has loved and enjoyed so much throughout the years.
Baumgartner or “Coach B” as he is popularly known as around the school has accumulated a record of 229-134 as a coach at Southside and an overall record of 407-299, and posts over a 50% win percentage. He led the team to a state championship in 2001, and has also won a few sectional titles.
“It was extremely special. It’s something very few people experience and I feel very fortunate to have been a part of it. It was also much more special to me because I got to share it with my son who was the point guard for the team.” said Baumgartner
Baumgartner is also one of the select coaches who had previously been chosen to coach the Indiana All-Stars.
His accomplishments as a coach will certainly never be forgotten, he is regarded as THE varsity coach at Southside and it will certainly be hard for players to cope with the loss. It has not been said who will coach next season, but whoever it is will certainly have Baumgartner’s approval.
Baumgartner was not only a coach, he was just as, if not more competitive than many of the players he has coached throughout his time at South. According to Baumgartner’s former assistant coach Mike Condon, he could relate to players very well, and he certainly had a presence in the locker room.
“He was very professional,” said Condon, “he always had his players’ interest in hand, and he was extremely motivational and intense at the same time. He was a competitor, plain and simple. He is overall an outstanding role model, and the type of coach you would want your son to play for.”
Clearly Baumgartner has made a lot of impact on players, students, and even coaches throughout the years. He may even be considered a legend among high school basketball coaches in Indiana. His experience alone places him among the greats, and with over 400 wins, it’s hard to argue that he isn’t one of the best ever to coach in Indiana.
“He is following in his dad’s footsteps. His Dad was a legend, and with all that Coach B has accomplished, there is no doubt that he will be remembered as a great coach in Indiana.” said Condon.
Regardless of all the wins he has accumulated, Baumgartner does not just take away the victories from his career. The wins were never the most important aspect of the game to him. He preferred to win, but it was only part of his top priority. He wanted to win games, but do so in a manner that involved a lot of sportsmanship, and a lot of dedication.
“I have had an awful lot of fun, a lot of memories, and I have enjoyed every single part of it. I consider wanting to win more games than anyone else a shallow way to look at the profession. It’s not all about the wins to me. It’s about making an impact on the players and learning life lessons throughout your experiences,” said Baumgartner.
Reflecting upon their experiences with Baumgartner some former players feel that he will be hard to replace.
“I don’t think there will ever be another coach like Coach B because of his experience and his ability to make players reach their maximum potential. He gave his players freedom. I enjoyed playing for him more than any other coach because if he trusts you, he lets you make your own decisions,” said former player and current freshman coach Derek King, class of 2005.
“He has a wealth of knowledge for the game and has been successful for a number of years. To find another coach will certainly be difficult. Hopefully we can find somebody with as much knowledge and enthusiasm as Coach B,” said Assistant Principal and former player Gerry Moore, class of 1996.
Farewell to an Icon 'Coach B'
National Honor Society Supports Muncie Mission
Lillian Jewel
Sentinel Reporter
The Muncie Mission provides for the less fortunate and helps the homeless. Every year for the last eight years volunteers and employees have held the event: Walk a Mile in My Shoes.
Walk a Mile in My Shoes is an event that raises awareness for the less fortunate. For the event, citizens walk from the Muncie Community Schools’ field house to the Muncie Mission. Participants ask people to sponsor them to raise money.
This year was another record setting year. About 2,500 people participated and together they raised around $68,000. This money will provide food bags, clothes, shelter, and daily lunches for those who need it. Our National Honor Society group rose a little over $500 to benefit the Muncie Mission. Fourteen different teams each rose $1,000 or more.
Two awards are given out every year: “Top Attendance Team” and “Top Fundraising Team.” Cowan won both of these awards. The Cowan team had 130 participants and raised $2,735. This was the first time one team won both awards.
This year the walk was held on February 11th. The weather was cold and the streets had a couple slick spots. The walk being held around that time helps show some of the hardships that the homeless face.
The theme was “Building Hope” and that is what the Muncie Mission is doing for the less fortunate.
The Muncie Fire Department and Mayor Dennis Tyler led the walk. The Ball State University football players helped by blocking intersections from traffic, so the walkers could cross safely.
Walk a Mile in My Shoes is a charitable event that draws a lot of attention from the local people.
Sentinel Reporter
The Muncie Mission provides for the less fortunate and helps the homeless. Every year for the last eight years volunteers and employees have held the event: Walk a Mile in My Shoes.
Walk a Mile in My Shoes is an event that raises awareness for the less fortunate. For the event, citizens walk from the Muncie Community Schools’ field house to the Muncie Mission. Participants ask people to sponsor them to raise money.
This year was another record setting year. About 2,500 people participated and together they raised around $68,000. This money will provide food bags, clothes, shelter, and daily lunches for those who need it. Our National Honor Society group rose a little over $500 to benefit the Muncie Mission. Fourteen different teams each rose $1,000 or more.
Two awards are given out every year: “Top Attendance Team” and “Top Fundraising Team.” Cowan won both of these awards. The Cowan team had 130 participants and raised $2,735. This was the first time one team won both awards.
This year the walk was held on February 11th. The weather was cold and the streets had a couple slick spots. The walk being held around that time helps show some of the hardships that the homeless face.
The theme was “Building Hope” and that is what the Muncie Mission is doing for the less fortunate.
The Muncie Fire Department and Mayor Dennis Tyler led the walk. The Ball State University football players helped by blocking intersections from traffic, so the walkers could cross safely.
Walk a Mile in My Shoes is a charitable event that draws a lot of attention from the local people.
Soutside Takes Bronze Medal
Raichel Williams
Sentinel Reporter
On Saturday March 17, the Muncie Southside Winter Color Guard performed in the IHSCGA State Finals for the eleventh year in a row.
Their show, Denizen, took the bronze medal in Class A competition. Out of the ninety-seven guards in Class A, only sixteen of them went on to the State Finals.
Muncie Southside walked into the competition seated fifth; they had placed second in their round at preliminaries, and had the highest score of any second place guard that day.
With a score of 83.2, Southside only lost out on the silver medal by three-tenths of a point.
“The performance on Saturday is one I won’t forget. You could feel the energy from each person. It wasn’t perfect, but nothing ever is. The most amazing part was getting a medal. Going from sixteenth to third is such a huge deal. I feel our program has grown so much, and it’s nice to see how much everybody cares,” said Senior Heather Kirts.
Director Rhonda Reynolds, and her staff consisting of Matt Spoonemore, Lynel Curd, Chad Young, and Molly Palecek, worked their girls hard all season.
The guard has practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays for at least three and a half hours, and a practice on most Saturdays ranging from six to eight hours. Directors and guard members can all agree that those spent working were well worth it.
“I feel like we had a fantastic performance Saturday. We have worked hard for the past year, and it shows in how we placed. We literally went from zero to hero,” said Sophomore Sadye Power.
The winter guard has members in grades nine through twelve.
The three seniors in the guard are Heather Kirts, Sadie Bell, and Aniessa Jackson.
The guard contains members that have spun for nearly a dozen seasons, and some who have only joined the program this year.
“Saturday was the most amazing feeling I have ever had, and I loved it. Even though I wasn’t there last year, I sill feel like everybody improved so much, and we worked our butts off to get this far,” said Freshman Ashley Staton, who is enjoying her first year as a member of the Muncie Southside Winter Guard.
“I feel like Saturday was a day any person would be proud of. I’ve been spinning for two years and the only other time I’ve been able to feel the energy was a State Fair Morning Show 2011. We were feeding off the crowd and off of one another. You could see the look on everyone’s faces and could see that they were fighting, and not letting up. Our guard has been working on this show for countless hours, and was very prepared. I remember when they announced Kokomo as fourth place; I looked up at my mom and sister in shock. The feeling of going from last place to medaling is phenomenal! My favorite part of the day was my instructors putting the bronze medal around my neck and hugging me,” said Freshman Molly Williams.
Out of all the people rooting for Southside that day, in the end, none was more proud than Reynolds. Reynolds has been the director of the Muncie Southside Color Guard since 1995.
“I was more than pleased with our performance on Saturday. Last year we made finals (placing sixteenth) which is a huge accomplishment. This year to get the bronze medal is so special. To outperform schools like Ben Davis, Brownsburg, and Kokomo makes me so proud of my girls. We all had tears of joy while I had the honor of hanging the Bronze Medal on them,” said Reynolds
The two Class A guards to outplace Muncie Southside Winter Guard were Zionsville in second place, and Scottsburg taking the gold medal.
The IHSCGA had places where people were able to donate money that would go towards the Henryville Band and Guard Program.
Saturday, over $6,000 was donated and presented to the members of the Henryville Winter Guard. Henryville was unable to perform in preliminary competition because their town was ravaged by a tornado earlier in the month of March. The guard was able to perform in exhibition on Saturday March 17, and they were received by a standing ovation.
Sentinel Reporter
On Saturday March 17, the Muncie Southside Winter Color Guard performed in the IHSCGA State Finals for the eleventh year in a row.
Their show, Denizen, took the bronze medal in Class A competition. Out of the ninety-seven guards in Class A, only sixteen of them went on to the State Finals.
Muncie Southside walked into the competition seated fifth; they had placed second in their round at preliminaries, and had the highest score of any second place guard that day.
With a score of 83.2, Southside only lost out on the silver medal by three-tenths of a point.
“The performance on Saturday is one I won’t forget. You could feel the energy from each person. It wasn’t perfect, but nothing ever is. The most amazing part was getting a medal. Going from sixteenth to third is such a huge deal. I feel our program has grown so much, and it’s nice to see how much everybody cares,” said Senior Heather Kirts.
Director Rhonda Reynolds, and her staff consisting of Matt Spoonemore, Lynel Curd, Chad Young, and Molly Palecek, worked their girls hard all season.
The guard has practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays for at least three and a half hours, and a practice on most Saturdays ranging from six to eight hours. Directors and guard members can all agree that those spent working were well worth it.
“I feel like we had a fantastic performance Saturday. We have worked hard for the past year, and it shows in how we placed. We literally went from zero to hero,” said Sophomore Sadye Power.
The winter guard has members in grades nine through twelve.
The three seniors in the guard are Heather Kirts, Sadie Bell, and Aniessa Jackson.
The guard contains members that have spun for nearly a dozen seasons, and some who have only joined the program this year.
“Saturday was the most amazing feeling I have ever had, and I loved it. Even though I wasn’t there last year, I sill feel like everybody improved so much, and we worked our butts off to get this far,” said Freshman Ashley Staton, who is enjoying her first year as a member of the Muncie Southside Winter Guard.
“I feel like Saturday was a day any person would be proud of. I’ve been spinning for two years and the only other time I’ve been able to feel the energy was a State Fair Morning Show 2011. We were feeding off the crowd and off of one another. You could see the look on everyone’s faces and could see that they were fighting, and not letting up. Our guard has been working on this show for countless hours, and was very prepared. I remember when they announced Kokomo as fourth place; I looked up at my mom and sister in shock. The feeling of going from last place to medaling is phenomenal! My favorite part of the day was my instructors putting the bronze medal around my neck and hugging me,” said Freshman Molly Williams.
Out of all the people rooting for Southside that day, in the end, none was more proud than Reynolds. Reynolds has been the director of the Muncie Southside Color Guard since 1995.
“I was more than pleased with our performance on Saturday. Last year we made finals (placing sixteenth) which is a huge accomplishment. This year to get the bronze medal is so special. To outperform schools like Ben Davis, Brownsburg, and Kokomo makes me so proud of my girls. We all had tears of joy while I had the honor of hanging the Bronze Medal on them,” said Reynolds
The two Class A guards to outplace Muncie Southside Winter Guard were Zionsville in second place, and Scottsburg taking the gold medal.
The IHSCGA had places where people were able to donate money that would go towards the Henryville Band and Guard Program.
Saturday, over $6,000 was donated and presented to the members of the Henryville Winter Guard. Henryville was unable to perform in preliminary competition because their town was ravaged by a tornado earlier in the month of March. The guard was able to perform in exhibition on Saturday March 17, and they were received by a standing ovation.