Mark Morrow: Your View/My View: Don't close the Wigwam

Close the Wigwam? Tell me it ain't so? No way . . . no how that's going to happen . . . nor should it happen. Such a possibility, though, has been a hot topic this week. Many in the community reportedly are in an uproar over the recent proposal. And well, they should be. Anderson is one of the great cities in our state for high school basketball, and the Wigwam, well, the Wigwam is simply a really special place. So special that boys basketball coach Ron Hecklinski said he didn't want to coach at Anderson if it ever came to pass that his teams couldn't practice and play in the Wigwam. "I've coached here 16 years,'' said Hecklinski. "I've been fortunate; it's been a privilege to coach the Indians and coach in the Wigwam. So, should it be closed, I cannot see myself coaching in Anderson, anywhere in Anderson. There would be no reason for me to remain here as a coach.'' Anderson has been stricken by economic woes. Game attendance is down. So are season tickets. There's even been talk of closing some middle schools and elementary schools, not to mention some talk of possibly even going to one high school. Yet, there's got to be better ways to save money than the recent proposal to possibly close the Wigwam because of budget strains. Hopefully such a possibility proves to be premature. The Wigwam, though known for basketball, is more than just basketball to those who must think in terms of finances and budgets. The complex also houses school administration and maintenance offices and food service and other facilities, "so there's more to this than just the Wigwam,'' said athletic director Steve Schindler. Schindler said the subject came up Wednesday at the North Central Conference AD's meeting. "I just told them that there are many scenarios and that the Wigwam is just one of them,'' he said while addressing the rumor. Still, for the average fan, the bottom line is that the venue is all about basketball and memories. "Closing the Wigwam would be like Chicago Cubs fans seeing Wrigley Field shut down and the Cubs forced to play in a minor league ballpark,'' said Hecklinski, who has a talented but young team this season. Hecklinski said the Wigwam is basketball. Plain and simple. The Wigwam - which seats 8,996 and is the second-largest high school basketball venue in the country behind New Castle's fieldhouse, which seats 9,325 - is also historic. And, boy, what a history. It addition to basketball glory, it has witnessed tragedy. The original gym was destroyed by fire in 1958. The new Wigwam, which opened in 1961, remained the basketball venue even though Anderson High School moved to a new location in 1997. The old school caught fire in 1999. Thus, the Wigwam needed repairs after being damaged in the blaze. The Wigwam oozes with tradition - from great basketball to the pregame war dance by the school's Maiden and Chief, whose routine to the beat of drums under the spotlight in the dark gymnasium has provided so many fans with chills for years. Quite simply, the Wigwam has provided many folks, me included, with good and bad memories. It's where the game has showcased passion for so many years - from the intensity many Anderson teams have displayed through the years to all of the great teams and talent that have graced the court, including such standout Indians as Roy Taylor, Kojak Fuller, Troy Lewis and Maurice Fuller, and Bobby Wilkerson and Ray Tolbert of now-defunct Madison Heights, just to name a few. It's a venue that many schools in the state hate because of the intimidation factor. Actually, in many cases the word "hate'' could mean "fear.'' Yet, it has earned the "respect'' of those who have been part of its history. Being from Kokomo, well, I can attest to some of the really bad memories. The Wigwam has been a burial ground many times for Kokomo teams. Actually, many outstanding "outsiders'' had trouble winning in the Wigwam. Some probably could have won at other sites on more of a regular basis; just not in the Wigwam - especially come tournament time. The Wigwam has been high school basketball at its best for so many years. You smell, taste and relish the atmosphere once you enter the brightly colored (red and green) venue. Just like the kids, players and coaches and fans before the ones yet to come, the Wigwam is a place every Hoosier should have an opportunity to visit and savor the moment. Closing the Wigwam, in my opinion, would be like boarding up historic Hinkle Fieldhouse. It just can't happen . . . and shouldn't happen . . . and hopefully won't happen. Ever! So, in my opinion, those of you in the Anderson community, who will have a final say in the future of the Wigwam, should use good judgment . . . make that must use good judgment . . . and keep the tradition alive by just saying NO! You cannot put a price tag on such tradition. You should cherish what you have, and the Wigwam is a treasure that should be treasured. To contact Mark Morrow, post a comment or e-mail him at mediamarko@sbcglobal.net.