Pat Aikman Award
High School: Dana 1953
College: DePauw University 1957
Born to Herbert and Charlotte Aikman, Pat grew up in Dana, IN, and graduated class valedictorian of Dana High School in 1953. He enrolled at DePauw University, where graduated in 1957 and his interests in journalism and sports information flourished and became lifelong pursuits.
After college, he was a high school teacher and coach for three years at Scotland High School in Greene County. He returned to DePauw in 1960, serving as director of the News Bureau and Sports Information for 28 years.
In 1988, Pat joined The Indianapolis Star as Games Director of the Indiana-Kentucky All-Star Basketball series. For 20 seasons, he helped grow the event by adding numerous sponsors to enhance the experience for players and coaches who participated. In 1996, he created the Junior All-Stars as additional opportunity for players and coaches.
Following the Star, Pat worked for the IBCA, which honored him by creating a scholarship in his name beginning in 2011, the Pat Aikman Character and Leadership Award. The award is given to students who excel on and off the basketball court and who plan to pursue careers in journalism, athletic training, physical therapy or sports management.
Aikman was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash by Gov. Frank O’Bannon in 2002, was named an IBCA Virgil Sweet Award winner in 2004 and was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame as a Silver Medal winner in 2008.
Pat passed away at 86 years old on March 9, 2022.
Historical Pat Aikman Award Winners
Year: Winner, School (Nominating Coach)
2011: Kyle Bradburn, Huntington North (Joe Bradburn)
2011: Rachelle Kessie, Whitko (Rob Bell)
2012: Michael Bower, Bloomington South (J.R. Holmes)
2012: Taylor Degenkolb, Tipton (Nick Comer)
2012: Josh Gill, Goshen (Brian Bechtel)
2012: Ashley Klass, Evansville North (Annette Combs)
2013: Rachel Jennings, Logansport (Jerry Hoover)
2013: Max McAuley, Noblesville (David McCollough)
2013: Courtney Perkins, Mitchell (Matt Sowders)
2013: Noah Reed, Huntington North (Rob Irwin)
2014: Tanner Davis, Wapahani (Matt Luce)
2014: Caleb Gabler, Mishawaka (Ryan Watson)
2014: Daisy Heath, Hebron (John Steinhilber)
2014: Skyler Overleese (Jeremy Powers)
2015: Seth Payton, Northview (Clint Weddle)
2015: Mark Sronce, Lanesville (Mikel Miller)
2016: Eli Combs, Bloomfield (Matt Britton)
2016: Jalon Graber, Barr-Reeve (Bryan Hughes)
2016: Kate Ulmer, LaPorte (Rob Walker)
2016: Allison White, Greencastle (Bradley Key)
2017: Olivia Collins, Lewis Cass (Mike Collins)
2017: Jacob Thompson, Eastside (Ryan Abbott)
2018: Jason Gandhi, Guerin Catholic (Pete Smith)
2018: Will Line, Goshen (Michael Wohlford)
2018: Rileigh Johnson, Huntington North (Heidi Lawson)
2018: Carly Miller, Delta (Andy Lewman)
2019: Ashton Minton, Paoli (Dusty Cole)
2019: Casey Schroeder, Wawasee (Matt Carpenter)
2020: Colton Monday, Shenandoah (David McCollough)
2021: Reece Denning, Lawrenceburg (Brad Cutter)
2021: Tyson Johnson, Lewis Cass (Kyle Johnson)
2021: Kaden McCollough, Shenandoah (David McCollough)
2022: Carson Brindle, Gibson Southern (Mark Rohrer)
2022: Jolie Groves, Triton (Kennedy Krull)
2022: Jordan Zody, Shenandoah (David McCollough)
2023: Caleb Elliott, Delta (Mark Detweiler)
2023: Paige Laffoon, Seeger (Chad Wetz)
2024: Hannah Dart, Madison (Adam Dennis)
2024: Jayden Terry, Cowan (Aaron Groves)
2025: Mea Dalrymple, North Daviess (Joey Riggins)
2025: Clara Hawk, Eastern Greene (Jeremy Clark)
2025: Dylan Springer, Northridge (Scott Radeker)
2026: Jack Guerre, Mt. Vernon-Fortville (Joe Bradburn)
2026: Grace Behny, Knightstown (Dusty Magee)