Brinkman receives Hession Baseball Scholarship

Luke Brinkman wanted his senior year as a Golden Bear athlete to be a memorable one. The veteran competitor earned numerous awards and capped off a successful final year by being selected as the recipient of the annual Thomas D. Hession Baseball Scholarship.

“I wanted my teams at SHS this year to improve and accomplish a lot,” said Brinkman “I tried to make this the best year for us seniors.”

The Shelbyville senior’s hopes came to fruition as his football and basketball teams produced their best campaigns since 2017 and 2019, respectively. The Golden Bears baseball squad turned in its best performance since 2015, finishing with a 16-9 record and going 9-5 in the Hoosier Heritage Conference.

Brinkman, always lauded for his “team-first” attitude, excelled as a player throughout his high school years.

He was a three-year varsity letter recipient in basketball and earned two letters in football. He received the prestigious 2024 Paul Cross Award for basketball achievement and leadership and led the team in steals. He received the Captain’s Award for the football team and was named this season’s most valuable offensive back.

Brinkman filled a key role for the 2024 Golden Bears’ baseball crew, hitting a career high .325 with 25 hits, 12 RBI and a .435 on base percentage. The second baseman recorded a .931 fielding percentage and went 1-1 as a pitcher with 18 strikeouts in 9 nine mound appearances.

Brinkman began his baseball career similar to most local youth at the local Babe Ruth Park in the league for five- and six-year-olds. He later moved on to summer travel competition with the Indiana Astros and in high school played for the Indiana Prospects.

The recent SHS graduate has numerous fond memories from his time as a three-sport Golden Bear athlete.

“Going 9-1 to finish the baseball season and winning eight in a row this year was very exciting,” said Brinkman. “Beating Columbus East and playing for the sectional championship was great too.”

He cites defeating East Central in overtime in the opening game of the 2023 Columbus North Basketball Sectional his junior year as another major highlight.

“That was such a battle and we made so many important plays to pull out the game,” he said. “It was the school’s first basketball sectional win in four years. I’ll always remember that game”

“The three football wins this year also stand out,” he continued.

Brinkman will continue his education at the University of Cincinnati where he will major in construction management.

“Cincinnati was close to home, has a beautiful campus and offered what I was interested in studying,” said Brinkman.

He also expressed his appreciation for the Hession Scholarship.

“I know coach Hession was a very important person to the school and community,” said Brinkman. “I am very pleased to receive this honor.”

The Thomas D. Hession Scholarship was created in 2010 and is awarded annually to a senior Shelbyville High School baseball player who positively represents Golden Bears baseball and the memory of coach Hession.

Hession served as Shelbyville High School’s baseball coach for 12 seasons from 1973 through 1984. He coached the inaugural game at Shelbyville’s Arthur “Doc” Barnett Field in 1978. His teams won four sectionals and two conference titles. He was twice selected South Central Conference Coach of the Year.

Hession retired from teaching and coaching in 1984 after 16 years at Shelbyville High School. He moved into the banking profession and was elected to two terms in the Indiana Senate. He died in 2011.

Brinkman is philosophical yet extremely appreciative about the end of his competitive athletic career.

“It is time for me to move on; to look ahead,” said Brinkman. “But as I look back, I truly enjoyed every minute. The whole thing was a great experience.”

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