Robert Gardner
Administrator
Inducted: June 30, 2019
37th Annual Induction Ceremony
Indianapolis, Indiana
(The following appeared in that year’s HOF induction program)
Bob Gardner retired last year after a 48-year career in education - all in the state of Indiana. He started as a teacher/coach in 1970 in Campbellsburg, Indiana, and progressed all the way to the top of the high school sports world as executive director of the NFHS.
In his eight years as NFHS executive director (2010-18), Gardner vigorously promoted the values of high school activity programs and expanded opportunities for participation by boys and girls nationwide. During his eight years as executive director, participation in high school sports increased by almost 400,000, including the expanded opportunity for students with disabilities in high school sports.
Gardner led the organization's focus on risk minimization in high school sports, particularly concussion awareness, and brought a heightened national presence to the NFHS and its member state associations. In addition to the expansion of the NFHS Learning Center during his tenure, Gardner is credited with starting the NFHS Network, the first-of-its-kind digital coverage of high school sports with 100,000 events being covered during the 2018-19 school year.
In addition, during his eight years as chief executive of the organization, operating revenue for the NFHS increased by $4 million.
After starting as an assistant coach, Gardner moved to Milan High School in 1972 as head football coach and baseball coach. After three years at Milan, he moved to Scottsburg High School for three years as head coach in football and boys track coach. In his last year at Scottsburg, Gardner added the duties of athletic director.
In 1978, Gardner became principal of Milan Junior-Senior High School, followed by a stint as superintendent of the Milan Community Schools. After serving on the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) Board of Directors during his time at Milan, Gardner joined the IHSAA staff in 1985 as assistant commissioner. He served 10 years in that role prior to becoming commissioner in 1995.
During his five years as IHSAA commissioner, Gardner led the change of the IHSAA football playoffs to permit participation by all schools, negotiated the association's largest corporate sponsorship agreement in history with Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance and led the transition to multiple classes in team sports.
Gardner joined the NFHS staff in 2000 as chief operating officer and served in that position for 10 years prior to becoming executive director. During this time, he was responsible for day-to-day operations of the organization.
Gardner earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Evansville (Indiana) and his master's and Ed.S. degrees from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. He served on the Board of Directors for USA Football, USA Basketball and the Indiana Sports Corporation. He is a member of the Indiana High School Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Gardner was born July 13, 1948, in Evansville, Indiana. He retired as NFHS executive director last year and lives in Shelbyville, Indiana.
