Kyle Neddenriep named high school sports editor for IndyStar

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  Sports and Competition on Thu, Oct 30th, 2025 by The Indianapolis Star

Kyle Neddenriep Named High‑School Sports Editor for The Indy Star

On Tuesday, October 30, The Indy Star announced that senior editor Kyle Neddenriep would be stepping into the role of High‑School Sports Editor. The decision marks a new chapter for the newspaper’s sports department and a continuation of Neddenriep’s long‑standing commitment to Indiana’s youth athletes. The announcement was featured on the paper’s front‑page sports section and on its online “Sports Desk” page (https://www.indystar.com/sports/desk), where the editor-in-chief, Lisa Barton, offered a personal note of congratulations.

From Local Roots to the Paper’s Desk

Neddenriep’s journey to the editor’s chair began in his hometown of Carmel, where he attended Carmel High School. While playing varsity basketball and baseball, he also started a small newsletter for the school’s “Sports Spotlight” club. After graduating with a degree in Journalism and Media from Indiana University Bloomington, he returned to the Indianapolis area to work as a junior reporter for the paper’s sports beat in 2017.

During his four years at the paper, Neddenriep covered a wide range of high‑school athletics—from football and track to wrestling and gymnastics. His coverage is noted for its depth of statistical analysis, player‑centric storytelling, and a distinct focus on the personal growth of student‑athletes. A recurring segment he introduced, “Beyond the Scoreboard,” highlighted academic achievements, community service, and personal challenges faced by the athletes.

His work earned him two “Sports Journalist of the Year” awards from the Indiana Press Club in 2019 and 2022. In 2023, he was recognized by the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) for “Outstanding Reporting on High‑School Athletics.”

The Role: Building a New Editorial Vision

As High‑School Sports Editor, Neddenriep will oversee a team of 12 reporters and photojournalists who cover the state’s 200+ high‑school teams. He will work closely with the sports director, Tom Miller, to set coverage priorities, manage resource allocation, and maintain editorial standards.

Lisa Barton highlighted the importance of this new appointment in her editorial: “Kyle brings an unparalleled passion for high‑school sports and a unique understanding of the student‑athlete experience. We’re thrilled to have him lead this division, especially as we expand our digital presence and community engagement.” She also referenced the upcoming “Indy Star High‑School Sports Podcast,” a new initiative Neddenriep will co‑host with local radio personality and former coach Jim Carroll.

In addition to newsroom duties, Neddenriep will serve on the IHSAA’s Communications Committee (https://ihsaa.org/committees/communications), where he will collaborate with other media professionals to promote fair play, academic standards, and student safety across the state.

Community Reaction and Endorsements

The announcement was met with enthusiastic responses from local coaches, athletes, and parents. 2024 State Champion football coach, Michael Fletcher of Carmel High, praised Neddenriep’s “ability to put the story in the context of the athletes’ lives.” He said, “He’s one of the few reporters who truly respects the balance student‑athletes maintain between school, sport, and family.”

High‑school athletes also weighed in. 18‑year‑old basketball star, Maya Hernandez, shared on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mayahernandezhoops) that Neddenriep’s coverage had helped her secure a scholarship at Purdue University. “When he wrote about my senior year, it wasn’t just stats—he captured how hard I worked on the court and how much I studied,” she said.

The article included a link to the IndyStar’s “High‑School Sports Awards” page (https://www.indystar.com/sports/awards/highschool), where Neddenriep’s editorial team will host the inaugural “Player‑of‑The‑Year” banquet next month. This event is designed to spotlight student athletes, their coaches, and the families that support them.

A Vision for the Future

Neddenriep outlined his vision in an interview embedded in the online article. He emphasized three key priorities:

1. Digital Innovation – Launching a dedicated mobile app for high‑school sports coverage, featuring live stats, instant replays, and interactive fan polls. A preview of the app’s interface was shared via a link to the paper’s beta test page (https://www.indystar.com/apps/highschool).

2. Community Partnerships – Strengthening ties with local schools, the IHSAA, and the Indiana State Board of Education to promote health, safety, and academic success. Neddenriep highlighted an upcoming partnership with the “Healthy Athletes Initiative” (https://www.healthyequity.org/indiana-initiative), aimed at reducing injury rates among youth sports participants.

3. Inclusive Coverage – Expanding coverage to underrepresented sports and demographics, such as girls’ lacrosse, girls’ rugby, and newly formed esports teams. He noted that the paper’s editorial board has already begun drafting new story guidelines to ensure equitable representation.

Looking Ahead

The announcement of Kyle Neddenriep’s appointment signals a renewed focus on high‑school sports journalism in Indianapolis. With his proven track record, commitment to storytelling, and passion for Indiana’s athletes, Neddenriep is poised to shape the next decade of coverage for the Indy Star. As the community looks forward to his leadership, the paper reaffirms its commitment to celebrating the triumphs, challenges, and stories that define Indiana’s youth athletes.

For readers interested in following his work, the IndyStar’s high‑school sports section (https://www.indystar.com/sports/highschool) will feature a “Neddenriep Spotlight” column beginning next week, offering a deeper look into the lives of the state’s most promising athletes.