2017 Marian Archer Award
Judy Burton
Apple Group, Inc
The
Marian Archer Award is an award established by the Archer Family in 1979 to
honor Marian Archer for outstanding work in promoting girls’ athletics. Marian Archer was the owner of Sports Togs in
Our recipient’s
introduction to girls’ athletics in Indiana came as she played GAA basketball
at Tipton High School, where girls could only go half court as either an
offensive player or a defensive player and could only dribble the basketball
one time - I am sure that not many of you in the room have experienced that or
even remember that style of basketball – but I do! Yes, girls’ sports have come a long way! If any of you saw the IHSAA Girls Basketball
Tournament a week ago, you know what I am talking about.
Growing up in farm country in Tipton she had the usual chores that any
farmer’s son or daughter would have, but was fortunate enough to go to Ball
State University for a career in business.
Even though the lack of family funds prevented her from finishing at
Ball State, she gained enough business education to return to the Tipton area
and open and own children’s clothing stores for 18 years. After deciding
selling those stores to move another line area of apparel which involved
athletics, Judy founded Apple Group in 1993 in a refurbished
approximately15,000 square foot egg hatchery in downtown Tipton doing screen
printing, embroidery and advertising products. While Apple Group is a woman
owned business, her husband - Ed and two sons – Greg and Kory have been the key
to our success as well have all the loyal customers throughout the years. Unfortunately they could not be here to see her
honored as they and the grandchildren are off to soccer and basketball games
today as they get the benefits of participating in athletics that Judy was not
able to do so as she grew up – but she did indicate that she is a great coach
from the bleachers!!!
It is amazing the strides girls’ sports have made through the years
and it is people like Judy and her Apple Group business who devote their time,
energy, and services to help make this happen along with those of you that are
sitting in the audience. She has been a
loyal exhibitor as our ICGSA for the past 25 years as well as a source for many
of our conference favors or registration gifts.
Since this award was established by the Archer family to honor
individuals in any field who have made contributions to promote girls’
athletics in Indiana, and Marian Archer was one our earliest exhibitors with a
business that dealt exclusively with uniforms for the female athletes it is
only appropriate that we honor another individual that has carried on that tradition
with her loyalty to our conference and ICGSA. Please join the ICGSA Executive Board as Jeff Theobald,
president-elect, presents Judy Burton, Apple Group, Inc. with our 2017 Marian
Archer Award plaque.