When you think of IndyStar Sports, it’s probably for our coverage of your favorite teams: Colts, Boilermakers, Hoosiers, Bulldogs, Pacers, etc. That’s certainly the backbone of what we do.
But our most important work is making a difference in our community.
So when you subscribe to IndyStar Sports (I’ll throw the news stories in for free with your sports subscription), you’re supporting those efforts, in addition to getting the best, most in-depth coverage of your favorite team. We’ll cover the controversial topics no one else wants to touch. You get columnist Gregg Doyel and Dana Hunsinger Benbow with stories that’ll make you laugh and cry.
Here are 10 of our top stories from 2022, listed, roughly, by the number of subscribers who read them. If you’re not already a subscriber, please become one so we can continue to do this kind of work:
1. Huntington University coach created a culture of doping and sex, star runners allege: Is there another media outlet that will devote its time to exposing a scandal at an NAIA women’s cross-country program? Thanks to David Woods and editor Tim Evans, IndyStar cast a light on the dark reasons Huntington University had become a powerhouse in women’s cross-country. Changes have already been made at the school that will, hopefully, prevent the abuse of more women.
2. Doyel: Dan Dakich is disintegrating one tweet, one rant, one controversy at a time: Indianapolis sports talk show host – and former IU player and college basketball coach – Dan Dakich was one of Gregg’s closest friends when he arrived here. Their relationship dissolved, however, as Dakich become embroiled in one controversy after another. IndyStar’s Dana Hunsinger Benbow covered this story despite being attacked constantly on the air by Dakich. In December, 107.5 The Fan announced that Dakich is no longer employed by the station. More on Dakich:
>> Dan Dakich out as Indy sports radio host at 107.5 The Fan
>> Dan Dakich apologizes after posting photo of Iowa State superfan who died Thursday
3. For better or worse, IU’s Mike Woodson suspensions will ripple well beyond Northwestern: Anyone can tell you the IU men’s basketball team unexpectedly suspended five players prior to a loss to Northwestern. But only IndyStar Insider Zach Osterman told you what the suspensions meant about first-year coach Mike Woodson and the future of the Hoosiers.
4. Doyel: Colts choked, now we await the fate of Carson Wentz, Frank Reich and Chris Ballard: The Colts’ loss to Jacksonville in the final game of the 2021 season has resonated through this season; Gregg Doyel told you just how monumental of a loss it was within hours of the finish.
5. Doyel: Purdue suffers shocking end to a season that was so darn good, but not nearly good enough: There are times you won’t want to read what Gregg writes. Heck, if you’re a subscriber to IndyStar, you’d know how much Gregg enjoyed the 2021-22 Purdue men’s basketball team and that HE didn’t want to write this piece. But Gregg’s going to tell you what he’s thinking and feeling, even when it hurts to write it.
6. Sources: Colts trade Carson Wentz to Washington: IndyStar Colts Insider Joel A. Erickson was on top of it when the news everyone was expecting happened: Carson Wentz was no longer a Colt. But Joel took it another step, not only reporting on the trade but why Wentz was dealt and what it meant for the Colts going forward.
7. IHSAA basketball coach Mark Rinehart pushes back on transfers, AAU links: Indiana is famous for its passion for high school basketball and we’re lucky to have the best team in the country on the beat: Kyle Neddenriep and Brian Haenchen. The influences on high school basketball teams are multiplying and Kyle jumped on this story when an opposing coach raised questions about the future of the sport.
8. It’s called The Dragon. How Marcus Ericsson’s controversial (but legal) move won Indy 500: The Indianapolis 500 is, of course, our defining event. It should be no surprise that our Insider, Nathan Brown, was the only one to get the inside story on Marcus Ericsson’s race-winning move.
9.Another ABA player dies waiting on pension from NBA. He left a chilling photo behind: When we talk about making a difference, it’s with a story like this. Dropping Dimes is an Indianapolis-based organization that worked for years to get the NBA to pay pensions to ABA players. Dana Hunsinger Benbow wrote several stories keeping it in the public view and when the NBA finally agreed to the pensions, commissioner Adam Silver made sure it was Dana breaking the story.
10. The day Mary Kate died: Colts’ Ryan Kelly, wife Emma held daughter, kissed her and cried: This story was as raw as it gets as the Kellys bared their souls over the death of their baby. You have to read this story through your tears, but the ability to tell a story like this and expose more parents to the need and importance of an organization such as Count the Kicks to prevent stillbirths is our most important work.
