Joey Hart

Joe Hart the former basketball coach is now Joe Hart the basketball fan, and heâs enjoying every minute of his new life.After 20 seasons as Union High Schoolâs varsity coach, Hart turned in his whistle and clipboard after last season.Heâll no longer patrol the sidelines during games.Instead, heâll watch area games from the stands.And when he watches his son Joey coach at Shakamak High School, it will be a lot less stressful.Instead of coaching against his son, heâll be rooting for him. ãThis time I can go and enjoy watching Joey more.This time I donât have to go worry about beating him, ä Hart said this morning. ãThat makes a big difference. ãI try to help him out all I can, but how acceptable to advice heâll be, I donât know.Heâs almost as hard headed as I am.ä No way.Hart was his own man during his tenure with the Bulldogs.He spoke what was on his mind.That often ruffled a few feathers, but it also produced a lot of victories.He was 291-171 in 20 seasons, and won four sectionals.He also led Union to the Class A state championship game a year ago.The Bulldogs lost to Lafayette Catholic in Conseco Fieldhouse.The first three sectional titles came in the former single-class system.Since the 1984-85 season, the first in Unionâs ãnewä gym, the Bulldogs have averaged 17 wins per year.Hart is proud of his accomplishments, especially the tournament run a year ago. ãWe had the opportunity to enjoy it, ä Hart said of last year. ãI think sometime in December theyâre putting up a picture of that team (in the gym), and other things like that.I think Iâll look forward to that. ãYou stop and think, you got to the final game of the state finals.Itâs not going to happen around here very often.I think it was a great honor for the kids and school.ä Hart admits he doesnât miss practices. ãNo! I see some of the problems that (new Union coach Doug Boyd) has, and other coaches have, and I say ÎIâm glad Iâm not doing that.â The only problem weâre having here is getting kids out, things like that.Iâm glad Iâm not under that stress.ä Hart, though, will offer advice to anyone whoâs willing to listen.Heâs already attended some area practices. ãIâve talked to Doug, Joey, and Sean Vandeventer (at White River Valley High School) quite a bit.
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You donât have any stress, you just watch what the kids and coaches are doing and handling things.ä Once the Bulldogs open their season Wednesday against Linton in the annual Thanksgiving Classic at WRV, Hart may feel a little different about not coaching. ãI found that out this summer, when I was working with Joey some at his summer scrimmage game, ä Hart recalled.Thereâs also a down side to games, especially if you lose. ãItâs also very stressful.If things donât go well, that eats at you until the next time you play, ä Hart said. ãThat was always the great thing, you had a chance to avenge yourself until that final game (of the season) .ä Hart, who turned 57 last week, isnât ruling out getting back into coaching.But donât look for it to be on the varsity level. ãI donât think so, unless itâs coaching my granddaughterâs team ... in soccer, ä Hart said.

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