Two more donations to Huntington North High School’s ongoing athletic complex construction and renovations were approved by the Board of School Trustees during Monday night’s board meeting.
Huntington Sheet Metal has donated a total of 12 signs that will be used on the baseball and softball stadiums, including nine distance markers, a retired jersey number for baseball, a 1993 state runner-up sign for baseball and a 2012 state runner-up sign for softball. The signage to be donated combines to a value of $4,585.80.
“Huntington Sheet Metal loves being able to help the community in many ways,” said Huntington Sheet Metal IT Manager and Estimator Andrew Drummond. “When opportunities like metal signage for HNHS Baseball and Softball fields comes along, it just makes sense to give back in that way. The stadiums at HNHS impact many kids, teenagers, young adults and parents. An improved environment helps create a great culture, which helps shape the people involved. It’s great to have pride in our facilities and make sure they are safe and efficient for everyone. We wish the HNHS Vikings and Lady Vikings a successful spring season!”
The second donation made came in the amount of $25,000 from Brad Hummer of Ft. Wayne to go toward the multi-purpose outdoor facility.
Hummer made the donation in honor of his father, Robert “Sam” Hummer, a 1944 graduate of Huntington High School who starred as a quarterback for the Vikings.
“He was very proud of his football playing days, and in fact, his nickname ‘Slingin’ Sammy’ came from football,” Hummer said. “The name ‘Sam’ stuck with him the rest of his life and most people didn’t realize his name was Robert. He was a lifelong Vikings fan before passing away in 2012. As sad as I was to see Kriegbaum Field fall into its current condition, it was clear that time had come to move forward with a new facility—one that many more students, student-athletes and the community at large would be able to enjoy. We are happy to support that.”
The donation from Hummer will be put toward furnishing the coaches’ locker room at the stadium.
With these two donations, a total of over $484,000 has been donated toward the current HNHS athletics construction and renovation projects.