By Sue Hughes | For The Times-Post
PENDLETON — Joe Buck has been a part of South Madison Community School Corp. for 27 years.
On Friday, Dec. 1 — before the Pendleton-Lapel boys varsity hoops match-up — he was honored for his continued service to the district. During a dedication ceremony, he was presented with a framed proclamation renaming the Pendleton Heights hardwood Joe Buck Court.
“I am honored and extremely grateful to receive this honor,” Buck said.
Buck started at South Madison as coach of the boys high school basketball team. He moved on to become superintendent of the corporation until his retirement in 2020. This summer, he was asked to return as head coach.
On Friday, Buck invited his former players, colleagues and students to join him on the court to accept the honor, which had been unanimously approved by the district school board.
He thanked his family, many of whom were there with him, representing multiple generations.
“It also is special to me for this dedication to take place on a night when both the two school corporations that I was a part of are playing each other,” he added. Buck began his career by coaching for 13 years in Lapel.
He concluded by saying, “Thank you for this honor, and thank you for all the good memories. Now let’s do something I am more comfortable with: Let’s tip it up, and let’s play some basketball.”
In his first stint at Pendleton Heights, Buck won a program-best 189 games and six of the school’s first nine sectional championships (1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2003 and 2004). The 2000 team went on to win the only regional championship in school history, making it a final four participant. During his tenure, he coached two Indiana All-Stars and was the Indiana All-Star Head Coach in 2005.
Pendleton Heights defeated Lapel 41-28 on Friday.
