Roland Inskeep

Roland L. Inskeep, 78, Carmel, passed away December 23, 2013. The longtime athletic director at North Central High School was known for his quiet leadership at a school that won 34 state championships during his tenure. His decades at North Central were among the highlights of a life dedicated to his family and to education. Inskeep was born May 3, 1935, in Crawfordsville. His parents, Harry and Ruth (Durham) Inskeep, were both schoolteachers in rural Indiana. Long before he became associated with sports championships, Inskeep was a champion judge of poultry, winning a Future Farmers of America national competition. He was an eighth-grader at the time, judging chickens against far older competitors. He graduated from Sheridan High School and cum laude from Indiana State University, where he earned bachelor and master degrees. On August 25, 1957, he married Judith (Wright) Inskeep, after which he taught and coached basketball at what was then Jackson Central High School in Hamilton County and Northview Junior High in Indianapolis. That work proved to be preparation for the post he assumed in 1971 as head of the athletic department at North Central. During his tenure, North Central developed some of the state's best high school sports facilities, and was a factor to be reckoned with in many championship tournaments. Inskeep was a familiar figure at such events, whether at home or on the road – sometimes observing his teams from the stands, but more often attending to the details of conducting a successful sporting event. His work was often invisible to fans but was noticed by other administrators and coaches, who spoke of him with tremendous respect. He was asked to manage numerous IHSAA state championships. In 1991 he was named National Athletic Director of the Year, and he continued to influence high school sports long after his retirement in 1994. He volunteered to develop and teach leadership classes for other athletic directors. He was the chairperson for professional development for the Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, or IIAAA. Though he spent his career shining a spotlight on others, the spotlight eventually turned toward him. He was named a Sagamore of the Wabash by Governor Evan Bayh. He also received the State Award of Merit from the IIAAA. The National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association honored him with distinctions including the Thomas E. Frederick Award of Excellence, the Frank Kovaleski Development Award, and named him to its Hall of Fame. After his retirement, he traveled with Judy to all fifty states and six continents. His death on December 23 was particularly poignant for his family, who remember the many times he would drive all night with his wife and children for Christmas vacations at Disney World. Inskeep is survived by Judy, his wife of 56 years; three sons, Bruce (Stefani), Steve (Carolee), Jim Inskeep; grandchildren, Megan, Matthew, Ava, Ana, Connor, Carter, and Cooper; and four brothers, Phil (Lonna), David (Cathy), Larry (Diana), and Rob (Jan) Inskeep. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Harry Donald and Keith Inskeep. Services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 27, 2013, at Carmel United Methodist Church, 621 South Rangeline Road. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Carmel United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.flannerbuchanan.com. Arrangements were entrusted to Flanner and Buchanan – Carmel.