HNHS ENSHRINE'S 5
Hat Tip Huntington North Athletic Dept
A 2001 graduate of Huntington North, Jami (Fusselman) Craft is an educator, coach, and former multi-sport athlete. At HNHS, she excelled in volleyball, basketball, and softball, earning 10 varsity letters. Her volleyball achievements include setting records with 106 career aces and 1,822 assists, and she was named All-Olympic Athletic Conference in 2000. In basketball, Jami was part of conference, sectional and regional championship teams and was voted Most Inspirational. She also earned all-OAC honors in softball, playing on one sectional title team. Jami went to Ball State where she played club volleyball. After transferring to Huntington College, Jami was team captain and set serving records while earning All-American Scholar Athlete honors. Jamie became a teacher and coach, leading Huntington North’s volleyball team to three sectional championships over five seasons. After teaching for seven years, Jami moved into administration, becoming principal at Roanoke Elementary in 2019.
When asked about how it felt to earn this recognition, Craft said that being inducted into the Hall of Fame reminded her of how lucky she was to have her parents and all four of her grandparents attend everything she ever played and everything she ever coached.
“It’s a special honor as I remember them.”
Craft also mentioned how her husband’s support has impacted her, stating “he has supported me through it all” and that she met her husband amid her playing and coaching years.
Craft encourages student-athletes to have fun and enjoy themselves.
“I tell my girls every day: work hard, have fun, shine bright,” Craft said. “I would just encourage athletes to do the same.”
Jerry Lakes was the head coach of Huntington North’s track and cross country teams from 1982 to 1994. A Richmond native and former athlete, he competed in high school track and cross country before earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Ball State University. Lakes began his teaching and coaching career in 1970, coaching multiple sports at Crestview Middle School. He joined Huntington North in 1982, leading the track team until 1988 and cross country until 1994. Known for his dedication, he biked alongside his runners for motivation and organized team-building camping trips at Pokagon State Park. Lakes' cross country teams compiled a 119-43 record, winning four sectional titles and finishing in the top three in the 10 times. They were in the top three in the conference standings eight times. In track, Lakes’ Vikings won the sectional in 1985, the same year Huntington North hurdler Jay Hosler earned All-State honors. Lakes passed away in 2018, leaving a lasting impact on his athletes.
Pat Hall, a former athlete, educator, and firefighter, has dedicated his life to community service. A 1973 Huntington North High School graduate, Pat excelled in football and wrestling. In football, he earned UPI First Team All-State and Central Indiana Conference honors as an offensive tackle and defensive lineman, setting school records with 142 tackles, 13 sacks, and 10 fumble recoveries. In wrestling, he went 20-1 in his senior year, setting a school record with 18 pins and becoming the first HNHS wrestler to receive the CIC Outstanding Wrestler Award. After high school, Pat continued his athletic pursuits at Waldorf Junior College and the University of Northern Iowa. His career path led him to teaching, coaching, and ultimately a 26-year tenure as a firefighter, retiring as a lieutenant in 2011. He later worked with the Huntington County Sheriff’s Department until 2020.
Hall simply said that his induction into the Hall of Fame was “a surprise and an honor” and his message to Huntington athletes is to “work with the team.”
“With leaders, they get you there - you’ve got people under you, people above you, and you all work together to keep things going. You don’t do it by yourself.”
Marla Burkhart, a 1988 Huntington North High School graduate, was a standout multi-sport athlete, earning four varsity letters each in basketball and softball. She contributed to multiple championship basketball teams and a sectional title in softball. After high school, Marla earned an elementary education degree from Indiana University-Kokomo in 1992 and went on to a 30-year teaching career. She returned to Huntington North as an assistant girls' basketball coach on the Lady Vikings’ 1995 state championship team. She later led Whitko High School's softball team for 12 years. Beyond coaching, Marla continued playing women’s slow-pitch softball and was inducted into the National Softball Association Indiana Hall of Fame in 2018. In 2024, she was named to the NSA Women’s Slowpitch All-World Team. Burkhart could not be in attendance at the ceremony due to illness.
During his 14-year tenure as principal at Huntington North, Van Bailey demonstrated his commitment to sports and student success that left a lasting impact on his community.
A standout athlete at Huntington High School and later at Butler. Bailey began his career in education at Elwood. In 1979, he returned to Huntington North as dean of students, eventually becoming principal in 1986. He was an advocate for all extracurricular activities, particularly for Viking sports teams, hiring top coaches and providing resources for athletes. Bailey oversaw the growth of Huntington North athletic programs as they competed in the emerging Olympic Athletic Conference as the OAC became one of the strongest leagues in the state. He was also a staunch supporter of girls sports, helping Huntington North teams to success in nearly every sport, capped by state championships in girls basketball in 1990 and 1995. A tireless Viking fan, Van Bailey was a constant presence at HNHS events. He not only attended home games, but traveled the state to see athletes compete away from Huntington. He encouraged his staff and others to do the same as HNHS developed one of the most dedicated and passionate fan bases in the state.
During the basketball game itself that night, the Varsity Vikings made it onto the board first but Warsaw quickly snatched the lead and ran away with it. Warsaw won the night 77- 53. This makes for a 1-2 record for the Varsity team so far.
The story was a little different for the Junior Varsity squad, who kept the score so tight over the course of the game that they were able to take it into overtime. Both teams played hard and Huntington earned a win 42-37 to bring them 3-0 this season.
Next, the Vikings will travel to Manchester on Saturday, December 14th for an afternoon game.
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