On Wednesday, January 14, members of the P-H-M Board of School Trustees, P-H-M and Penn High School administrators and coaches, P-H-M Education Foundation Board Members, community partners, student-athletes, guests and members of the media gathered to officially open the 80,000-square-foot multi-use student facility (click here to see a brochure with specs & details). It was also a time to honor retired, long-serving Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker and his wife Donna Thacker. 

Click to see a full photo gallery of all the pictures from the event.

Built for P-H-M Students

The Fieldhouse will serve Penn High School students across athletic programs, academic, and extracurricular programs, including marching band, color guard, and robotics events (elementary, middle and high school). Academic use of the facility will include physical education classes and secure large-scale assessments, for example PSAT, SAT, and AP testing.

In addition, the Fieldhouse will support P-H-M middle school students through Future Kingsmen Athletics and Marching Band, helping students build both athletic and fine arts skills while safely preparing for the next level at Penn High School.

“The Fieldhouse is about investing in students and the experiences that help them grow,” said Superintendent Dr. Heather Short. “From academics to athletics and the arts, it will support learning and opportunity across our district for generations.”

The Fieldhouse will be open for student use beginning Tuesday, January 20th.

A Community Investment—Without Raising Tax Rate

The Fieldhouse project was identified as a priority in P-H-M’s 2022 District Master Facilities Plan and was completed without raising tax rates for residents of Penn, Harris, and Madison Townships. P-H-M continues to maintain one of the lowest tax rates in St. Joseph County while delivering strong academic outcomes. The groundbreaking for the project was May 2024 (click here for those details). 

Click to watch the video below that includes time lapse video of the project–start to finish–and highlights from the ceremony.

The total project cost is $18 million, reflecting the district’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and long-range planning.

“This Fieldhouse is the result of years of thoughtful, long-range planning and sound fiscal stewardship by the Board,” said P-H-M Board of School Trustees President Chris Riley. “By following our District Master Facilities Plan, we were able to make a meaningful investment in students while maintaining one of the lowest tax rates in St. Joseph County and without increasing the tax burden on our community.”

Designed for Versatility and Excellence

Located just off McKinley Highway, the 80,000-square-foot Dr. Jerry and Donna Thacker Fieldhouse expands Penn’s campus and provides much-needed indoor space to support year-round student programming across academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities.

“The design of this Fieldhouse reflects thoughtful planning around flexibility, safety, and long-term use,” said P-H-M Chief Operating Officer Dr. Sean Galiher. “Every element, from academic and training spaces to event amenities, was intentionally designed to support students, staff, and large-scale programming.”

The multi-use facility includes indoor space for these athletic teams:

*Track and Field: six-lane, 200-meter indoor track, pole vault, long jump, high jump, and shot put areas

*Indoor Hitting: Drop-down batting nets for baseball and softball indoor hitting practices

*Wood courts: two multi-purpose courts for basketball, volleyball

“The Fieldhouse gives Penn student-athletes a first-class, year-round training environment,” said Jeff Hart, Penn Athletic Director. “From indoor track and field to court sports and speed and agility training, this facility allows our programs to practice, compete, and prepare regardless of weather—supporting performance, safety, and student development.”

Beyond athletics, the Fieldhouse will accommodate marching band rehearsals, smaller scale robotics events, school dances, and other large student gatherings, further expanding opportunities for student engagement and districtwide events.

Additional amenities include four locker rooms, two classroom/conference spaces, a student commons area, a physical trainer and rehabilitation space, equipment storage, an observation hallway serving the second floor, a concession stand, security office, event parking, and future bleacher seating for more than 800 spectators.

“This Fieldhouse is truly a space for all Penn students, expanding opportunities for connection, creativity, and school pride,” commented Penn High School Principal Rachel Fry. 

Honoring a Legacy of Leadership and Giving

The Ribbon Cutting will commemorate that the Fieldhouse has been named in honor of retired P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker and his wife Donna Thacker, recognizing their decades of leadership, service, and philanthropic support of Penn-Harris-Madison schools and the P-H-M Education Foundation (PHMEF).

Dr. Thacker served as P-H-M’s Superintendent from 2006 to 2025. Under Dr. Thacker’s leadership, P-H-M became one of Indiana’s top school districts with the schools, students, teachers, and staff achieving countless recognitions, at the state, national and international level (click here for more background information on Dr. Thacker’s tenure).

“This Fieldhouse is an investment in students today and in the future of our district,” said Jennifer Turnblom, PHMEF Executive Director. “The Naming Rights Campaign directly benefits the Foundation’s endowment which in turn provides classroom grants for P-H-M teachers benefiting generations of students for years to come.”

Under the PHMEF Naming Rights Campaign structure, 80 percent of naming rights donations are placed into the Foundation’s endowment to support long-term student programs, while 20 percent directly funds professional development for P-H-M teachers.

Longtime PHMEF donors and supporters Gary and Tammy Fox donated $10,000 to the PHMEF Naming Rights Campaign to have the fieldhouse honor Dr. Jerry and Donna Thacker. Gary Fox served on the P-H-M Board of School Trustees with Dr. Thacker as the Superintendent from 2001-2020 before stepping down. He was re-elected to Harris Township, Seat 4 in November 2024. 

“Dr. Thacker’s leadership helped shape P-H-M into one of Indiana’s premier school districts,” said Gary Fox. “Naming the Fieldhouse in honor of Jerry and Donna Thacker recognizes a legacy rooted in student success, community partnership, and long-term vision.”

During his time as Superintendent, Dr. Thacker and his wife contributed $300,000 in lifetime donations to the Foundation.

“It has been our greatest joy to watch generations of P-H-M students learn, grow, and benefit from the opportunities a quality education provides,” said Jerry Thacker and Donna Thacker. “We are deeply honored to have the Fieldhouse named in our honor, and we hope it becomes a place where students continue to discover their potential for generations to come.”

Project Partners

Construction of the Fieldhouse was completed by R. Yoder Construction Inc., with architectural design by Fanning Howey, a longtime P-H-M partner with more than 40 years of service to the district. Structural engineering was done by Magnus Engineering. Civil Engineering by Danch, Harner & Associates Inc.

P-H-M hosted a districtwide drug awareness parent and community meeting on Tuesday October, 21, 2025 to help educate P-H-M families and the greater community about the current drug trends attracting teenagers. This valuable information is something all adults should be aware of, click the image above to watch the recorded video of the presentation. It will only be available until end of business day Thursday, Nov. 20th.

The session was led by Tall Cop Says Stop™ contracted educator, Melissa Moore, CPS. Tall Cop Says Stop™ was created by Officer Jermaine Galloway, an Idaho law enforcement officer since 1997. Galloway is regarded as one of America’s top experts in various drug and alcohol trends and specializes in underage drinking and drug enforcement. For more than 15 years, he has trained school administrators and safety personnel in spotting the dangers that threaten teens and the community. Melissa Moore, a 24-year public health experienced professional, who works to advance the mission of Tall Cop Says Stop™ in helping educate parents/guardians and students about the latest deadly effects of so-called recreational drug use.

Click here to access Melissa Moore’s resources referenced in her presentation.

Questions can be directed to the presenter at m3consultingllcwi@gmail.com.

Moore also presented a student focused presentation to Penn students (grades 9-12) during the school day on October 21st and 22nd.

P-H-M’s Annual Community Tailgate is a long-standing tradition that brings families, students, staff, and community members together to show their Penn pride. The event is held before the Penn Football home opener and is a chance for everyone across the district to connect, celebrate, and support the Kingsmen.

This year’s home opener will be “The Backyard Brawl” against Mishawaka on Friday, August 29th, 2025. Click here for game ticket info.

Gates open at 5:00 p.m. You must have a ticket to the football game to enter. Once inside the stadium head down to the white tents in the south end zone at the Yeoman Family Plaza.

Friday night marks the 67th meeting between Penn and Mishawaka. Penn leads the all-time series 49-16-1. 

Penn High School’s newest official sport is already making history. The Penn Girls Flag Football program hosted its first-ever Prospect Camp on July 22-23, welcoming over a dozen incoming middle school athletes. The two-day camp focused on building foundational skills in flag football, while also emphasizing teamwork and leadership development.

To see the full Flag Football Prospect Camp photo gallery click here.

The camp follows the official launch of the Girls Flag Football program at Penn, approved by the Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustees in March. The Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) announced earlier this year that 55 schools have committed to fielding teams for the 2025 season—more than double the 27 teams that participated in 2024.

The IHSAA is one of 19 state associations currently piloting the Girls Flag Football program in partnership with the NFL and the Indianapolis Colts. As part of this initiative, Penn High School will receive $6,500 in grant funding from the NFL and Colts to support the 2025 and 2026 seasons.

While the new IHSAA-sanctioned Girls Flag Football program marks a major expansion in athletic opportunity for student-athletes, Penn’s long-running “Powder Puff” Homecoming tournament will continue as a separate tradition. The event features four teams—one per class year—and remains a popular part of Penn’s Homecoming week festivities.

Penn Flag Football’s inaugural season is set to include a seven-game regular season, culminating in a postseason that features a sectional round and a state championship. The Northern Indiana Conference (NIC) is projecting six teams for the 2025 season: Penn, Elkhart, South Bend Adams, South Bend Riley, South Bend St. Joseph and South Bend Washington.

The NIC schedule kicks off with four conference games at School Field on Saturday, Aug. 23. Regular doubleheaders will follow at rotating locations throughout the season. Penn’s first home game is scheduled for Wednesday, September 3, against South Bend Riley. Game times will be announced at a later date.

The Penn team will hold practices after school on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, with games played on Wednesdays. Matches will be played in a 7-on-7 format, with each game lasting 60 minutes.

Leading the program is Head Coach Jerimiah Maggart, a 2007 Penn graduate and former football and wrestling standout. Maggart joined the Penn faculty for the 2024–2025 school year as a Fitness, Health, and Strength and Conditioning instructor. He previously taught and coached at Jimtown High School, where he served as head coach of the boys and girls wrestling programs. He has also coached at North Montgomery and Manchester High Schools. Maggart is a graduate of Purdue University.

Maggart aims to grow the program quickly, starting with a varsity team this fall. His long-term goals include adding a junior varsity team by the 2026 season and building out youth and middle school feeder programs.

Tryouts and official practices for the Penn Flag Football Team are scheduled to start on Monday, August 4.

Click here for a Google Form to fill out if you are interested in playing Girls Flag Football.

You can also email Coach Maggart at jmaggart1@phm.k12.in.us for more information.

In March, Superintendent of Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation Dr. Jerry Thacker announced his retirement after 19 years. Under Dr. Thacker’s leadership, P-H-M has achieved extraordinary milestones, including raising the graduation rate from 79% to 98%, ranking in the top 4% of the state academically, and helping students earn more than $200 million in scholarships. He also prioritized school safety, leading P-H-M to be ranked sixth in the nation for school safety initiatives. Click here to read more about P-H-M student success achieved during Dr. Thacker’s tenure.

Dr. Thacker has had a remarkable 53-year career in education working in leadership roles across Indiana and Michigan. As the school year wrapped up and in gratitude for his many contributions to the field of education, Dr. Thacker has received several honors.

These five prestigious awards were conferred upon Dr. Thacker:

• May 4, named IAPSS – District II Superintendent of the Year
  
• May 9
  
  Ivy Tech Community College presented him with an Honorary Degree in College and Community Service at their Commencement
  
• May 9, Head Start Consortium gave him the “Making a Difference” award for his loyal dedication, unwavering commitment, and his indispensable support of Head Start’s mission at Head Start’s 60th Anniversary Celebration and Board Meeting
  
• May 21
  
  Mishawaka Mayor Dave Wood presented him with a Key to the City and a proclamation declaring May 21st “Dr. Jerry Thacker Day”
  
• May 30
  
  State Senator Linda Rogers presented him with the Circle of Corydon award on behalf of herself and Governor Mike Braun. The award honors Hoosiers who have made remarkable contributions that have bettered Indiana, and who have demonstrated the qualities exemplified by our state’s greatest citizens

Internally, P-H-M school principals, teachers, and students also wanted to thank Dr. Thacker for his years of service and dedication to the district. Several came up with meaningful ways to express their appreciation:

• May 1, Penn High School Bands recognized him for his “caring leadership and service” at the Spring Concert
  
• May 16
  
  Grissom Middle School students and staff lined the hallways to applaud him as he walked through the school’s hallways
• May 16
  
  Penn High School Building Trades program presented him with a Golden Hammer for recognition of his Outstanding Support and Service 
• May 22
  
  Bittersweet Elementary School students and staff lined the hallways to applaud him as he walked through the school’s hallways
• May 27
  
  Walt Disney Elementary School establishes the “Dr. Jerry Thacker Achievement Award” to recognize students who exemplify persistence, good citizenship, and positive competitiveness
  
• May 30
  
  Schmucker Middle School principal presented him with an Elevation Award for 53 years of service in education to students, teachers, and parents
• June 2
  
  
  Prairie Vista Elementary students performed a “We are your Triangle of Success” presentation and gave him a planter with all the thumbprints of students (grades K-5) and staff to illustrate the impact he’s had on their lives
  
• June 3
  
  Retiring Penn Band Director Glenn Northern, leads the Symphonic Winds section of the Kingsmen Marching Band in the Penn High School Fight song outside Dr. Thacker’s office at the Educational Services Center. Click here to see the video on Facebook.

Before the end of the 2024-2025 school year came to a close, Dr. Thacker shared the video message below with P-H-M students, teachers, and families.