By Mike McGraw
Executive Director
SCOTTSBURG – The list of “greats” in any sport can be lengthy, but in any sport – at any level – there is always one name.
In college basketball, that name is John Wooden. In professional football, it is Vince Lombardi. In baseball, it is Babe Ruth.
Well, in Indiana girls basketball, that name is Donna Cheatham.
Cheatham began coaching basketball back when girls played in a thing called the GAA. Translated into the current generation, that means she was coaching before the IHSAA even recognized girls basketball as a legitimate sport.
She led the Southern Indiana community of Scottsburg to the status of perennial contender in the early days of the IHSAA state tournament. Over the years, her name became synonymous with the sport, the town of Scottsburg, and with the right way to play.
In the mid-1990s, Cheatham left Scottsburg. It is enough for this forum to say that the decision was not entirely hers. It should also be said that the people who approved of her departure are no longer in positions of influence at Scottsburg.
Regardless, Cheatham headed to Southwestern (Hanover), where she quickly turned that program into a Class 2A state power. The location was different, but the legend simply grew.
As basketball season begins this fall, Cheatham has returned to the place where it all started. She is back as the head coach of the Scottsburg Warriors. She has returned at the behest of one of her former players – and current Scottsburg athletic director – Roxanne Norton.
Her mission is to revitalize a program that has fallen on hard times. The Warriors went just 3-18 last season.
Hoosier Authority went to Scottsburg to talk with the storied coach and the AD about the latest challenge in Cheatham’s unbelievable career.
Processing your request, Please wait....
