The following staff members where either coaches or participants in state championship teams at Ben Davis. They offer words of advice for this year’s football team.

Mike Davidson

State champion boys track coach, 2008, 09, 10

Assistant coach on football state champions in 1990, 91, 99, 2001, 2002

Q: What do you remember most about your time(s) winning state?

A: I remember the incredible drive and leadership from the core of athletes.  A positive and unyielding attitude, coupled with love and caring about each other and each others success was evident.  I remember the expression of joy when the hours work and dedication by all paid off with victory at the highest level.

Q: What advice would you give our current football team as they prepare for the final week of the season?

A: Success comes from confidence and confidence comes from preparation. Control the things you can control, and don’t worry about what you can’t control. There will be many distractions that you must push through – stay focused on the business at hand.  Most of all, do what you do best, not for yourself, but for the guy next to you.   

Alan Hocker

Member of 1990 boys cross country state champions

Q: What do you remember most about your time(s) winning state?

A: The hype working up to State was unbelievable The staff and students were behind us all the way . We were working toward repeating a second State Championship. The unforgettable feeling of walking the State Course to get mentally prepared for the race knowing that the top schools were going to be represented there.

Q: What advice would you give our current football team as they prepare for the final week of the season?

A: Stay focused, you made it this far from hard work and determination, enjoy the game, bask in the triumphs of being in the State Championship game. Remember the hard practices you went to to prepare you for this; all the pain, drills, and practices prepare you for a moment like this. Best of Luck Gents BD Pride thru and thru!

Kevin Vanderbush

Strength coach for 20 state title teams at BD

Assistant varsity girls basketball coach for the 2001 state championship. 

Q: What do you remember most about your time(s) winning state?

A: The thing I remember most about the 20 state championships since I have been here is seeing the sense of accomplishment that is felt by the athletes as a result of the effort that went into achieving the title.  Championships are won by setting goals, and being willing to make the sacrifices necessary to be in a position to accomplish those goals. Sport can teach so much about life and can pave the way for success in so many other areas.

Q: What advice would you give our current football team as they prepare for the final week of the season?

A: To focus on the process (taking care of their assignments each play) rather than the outcome (thinking too much about winning and what that would mean).  It is never good to think of a game a “the big game” because the scoreboard as well as the ups and downs of the game will affect performance.  To play well, you have to stay “in the moment” and focus on making plays while blurring out every other distraction.

Sherry Gramer

Swimmer on girls state swimming titles 1978 and 1979

Q: What do you remember most about your time(s) winning state?

A: I remember the tremendous amount of school spirit.  (It had been almost two decades since BD’s first state championship.) I remember the nerves (and butterflies) building the entire week before state, anticipating my first event.  I remember standing on the podium after winning each event, thinking that all of the hard work finally paid off. The team celebration after winning was amazing.

Q: What advice would you give our current football team as they prepare for the final week of the season?

A:  Winning state means that you will forever be part of an elite group of Ben Davis Alumni.  Thirty years from now, you will look at your picture hanging on the wall (outside the pool area) and remember all the good times and friends from the team.

Jon Easter

Member of JV team during 1992 boys golf state title

Q: What do you remember most about your time(s) winning state?

A: I was actually the first alternate, so I was ready to go if they needed me.

Q: What advice would you give our current football team as they prepare for the final week of the season?

A: I remember thinking that the State Championship was the first of many as we had been in position to win before, but it turns out that was the only time we’d win state in golf at Ben Davis.  Thus, you never know when you are setting the mark for somebody else.  You have to seize that moment and make the most of everything so you have no regrets.

Brian Abney

Member of 1999 and 2001 football titles

Q: What do you remember most about your time(s) winning state?

A:  I remember vividly having the opportunity to practice on Thanksgiving.  From an outsider’s perspective I could see how some would look at practicing Thanksgiving morning as a little overboard but we are done early enough in the morning it doesn’t really effect the whole day.  Getting up early and practicing then was awesome.  Everyone was so focused on the task and both practices were amazing.  2001 when we won state I was the starting center and we beat Valpo.  We were up big enough that towards the end the starters were pulled and gave way to the 2nd string.  I will never forget that my last play in high school was one in which we scored a touchdown with Garrett Phillips running a sweep.

Q: What advice would you give our current football team as they prepare for the final week of the season?

A:  Stay focused but enjoy it.  It is ok to take a step back now and look at the season and know this was the goal all along.  We aren’t satisfied by any means.  But take a little time to let it sink in.  That way when that Friday comes, the seniors will have already reflected on the season and not worry that it is the last game they will ever play for BD.  And once those pads pop in Lucas Oil it will just be the next game.

Derek Eaton

Member of 1995 boys cross country state championship

Q: What do you remember most about your time(s) winning state?

A: I remember going into the State Championship knowing we had to beat a team that was ranked 20th nationally and who had beaten us badly about 6 weeks before, at the same time being very confident in our chance to win based on our performance through the tournament.  Most importantly, I remember the camaraderie we had as a team that year, we were brothers and that made us that much stronger by the end of the season…we all believed in each other.

Q: What advice would you give our current football team as they prepare for the final week of the season?

A: Our slogan on our t-Shirts that year stated “Kairos”…we (runners) had no idea what that meant until one of our assistant coaches told us sometime in the season…it’s Greek for “the right or opportune moment” – he told us to him, it meant “seize the day”…my advice, seize this day, and enjoy every minute of it…winning isn’t everything (but, it does make it more fun!)

(Oh, and the next year we were runner ups due to a lot of injuries…Carmel beat us…enough said.)

Mike Kirschner

Assistant coach 2001 and 02 football

Q: What do you remember most about your time(s) winning state?

A: I remember practicing on Thanksgiving morning above anything else – it was cold but no one was cold the practice was sharp, players focused, and we had fun – the players and the coaches knew that we were part of something special and that we were carrying on the Ben Davis Football Tradition.

Q: What advice would you give our current football team as they prepare for the final week of the season?

A: Remember to enjoy each and every day – enjoy the practices like never before – and to be thankful that you have an opportunity that most athletes never get to experience.

Hersel Cremeans

Director, Ben Davis Sounds Show Choir State Champions 2011 and 2013

Q: What do you remember most about your time(s) winning state?

A: How incredibly proud of my students I was and all of the effort that went into that performance.

Q: What advice would you give our current football team as they prepare for the final week of the season?
A: Remember how hard you have worked to get to this point.  Rely on the countless hours of training that have lead you here.

Jessica Hobbs

Member of 2000 and 2001 girls basketball state champs

Q: What do you remember most about your time(s) winning state?

A: Emotional. It’s a once in a lifetime experience. Some people never get to experience anything like it. The bond that I share with my teammates is unforgettable. I remember the feeling of accomplishment when we completed our goal of winning back-2-back state championships, even through all the barriers and adversity that we faced.

Q: What advice would you give our current football team as they prepare for the final week of the season?

A: Work hard, keep your goal in mind, and stay focused. Most of all: Enjoy the ride!

Debbie Foster

Member of 1976 and 1977 band state champion

Q: What do you remember most about your time(s) winning state?

A: I remember how many close friends I had and how important it was for me to do my very best to complete. I also remember how proud I was to be a Giant.

Q: What advice would you give our current football team as they prepare for the final week of the season?

A: I would tell them to put everything they can on the line that day and remember how proud they are to be a Giant.  Remember how hard you have tried to get to this point and be sure to take the time to enjoy it.  Your high school years are so important and you will always remember this time.

Steve Majors – (Mrs. Julie Majors husband)

Member of 1987 football state champs

Q: What are your most memorable moments?

A: The week leading up to was long and exciting with all the hype. Thanksgiving day seemed like it would never end, sort of like Christmas Eve to a little kid. Morning of, family was as excited as I was, lots of phone calls to wish me good luck. Showed up to the field house and to my surprise it was a typical pre game but there was an intense nervous excitement in the air. Not sure what I really expected but I got into game mode and was able to focus at the task at hand. The ride to the Hoosier Dome (before it was the RCA dome) was lined with posters wishing us luck, very cool.  We all tried to make it just another game but getting off the bus in the air tunnel, like the Colts, was to much to handle. Guys were getting pretty excited and the idea we were close to our dream/ goal was real. Pre game locker room coach D got everyone back into game mode, it was a constant roller coaster until the kickoff. Once you got that first hit on the field everything went into game mode and it truly became just another game, we just focused on doing our job and making the next big play.  At the end of 48 minutes we were the first BD football team to win the State Title!

Post game was nuts, police escort, lap around the circle and a huge post victory pep session in the gym. It truly was one of the greatest night of my life.

Q: What advice do you have for this football team?

My advice would be

1) take it all in and enjoy the ride.

2) think about the hard work and sacrifice it took to get the chance to compete at the state level.

3) enjoy the pre-game stuff but get it tighten up and treat it like any other game.

4) win or lose make sure you don’t leave anything to regret.

5) stay humble and take nothing for granted.

6) no matter what happens, play the next play

7) make your family and school proud no matter what the results are

8) trust yourself and your coaches

9) thank your parents

10) luck is when preparation meets opportunity.

Dee Dowler

Football player (1987 and 1988)

Girls basketball coach (2009 and 2010)

Q: What do you remember most about your time(s) winning state?

A: I remember the celebrations on the field/court after the games. Holding the big State Championship trophy over my head. The feeling of accomplishing the ultimate goal in high school sports. A state championship. Standing tall after all the hard work, as the best team in the State of Indiana!

Q: What advice would you give our current football team as they prepare for the final week of the season?

A: My advice would be for teammates to hang out and enjoy one another’s company leading up to the game. Discuss and visualize what it would feel like to win. Do everything right and with a focus in practice and in life. Mentally prepare to play the best game of their lives. And most of all, take it all in and enjoy the moment!

Mark E. Montgomery (science)

Defensive Secondary Coach & Receivers Coach- Varsity Football 1987 & 1988

Q: What do you remember most about your time(s) winning state?

A: The thing that I will always cherish lies in the fact that I was a part of the first two Football State Championship teams. It was the start of the winning tradition in football.

Q: What advice would you give our current football team as they prepare for the final week of the season?

A: It is important that the players stay focused both in the classroom and on the practice field.

Jamika Jones

Cheerleader for 1995 and 96 boys basketball state champions