We are celebrating a special moment of FTCSC Flashes Community pride — one that spans decades of athletic excellence and FTCSC Flashes Community impact.
This year, several individuals with deep Franklin Central connections are being honored for Making A Difference at the highest levels of their sports. Alison Picket and Gary Vaught were recently inducted into the University of Indianapolis Hall of Fame. At the same time, Jessica Shipp and Ric Wyand are going to be recognized as members of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame Silver Anniversary Team. In addition, Kristen Lovell is being inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame as an individual honoree.
While their stories span baseball, swimming, and basketball, they all share a common thread: the lessons learned through athletics continue to shape how they lead, serve, and Make A Difference today.
Alison Pickett: From Beginner to Hall of Fame Excellence
FC Alum and current counselor at Bunker Hill, Mrs. Alison Pickett’s swimming journey didn’t start with instant success. “I was terrible,” she said with a laugh about her early days of swimming in sixth grade. “Just absolutely awful.” But she was lucky to have Difference Makers in her life, and her parents encouraged her to finish what she started, and her middle school coach, Trisha DiAgustino, supported her growth. By eighth grade, Alison Pickett had improved so much that she earned MVP honors.
At Franklin Central, coaches Vicky Roessler and Bart Braden continued to help her grow both in and out of the pool. “They coached me in the pool, but coached me just as much outside of the pool,” she shared. By graduation, Alison had set six school records — two of which still stand today in the 200 and 500 freestyle.
She carried that momentum to the University of Indianapolis, where she became one of the most decorated swimmers in program history. Alison earned 24 All-American honors, was named GLIAC Athlete of the Year three times, and qualified for the NCAA national championships all four years.
One of her proudest memories came unexpectedly as a freshman. “My coach came running down the side of the pool,” she recalled. “When I touched the wall, he said, ‘You just punched your ticket to nationals.’”
Today, Pickett continues Making a Difference as a school counselor in our FTCSC Flashes Community, where she was named Bunker Hill’s Teacher of the Year in 2023.
She credits athletics with shaping her mindset. “Not every day is a competition day,” she said. “But every day you enjoy that daily grind, that’s what gets you to those big moments.”
Gary Vaught: A Coach Who Builds More Than Players
Few coaches leave a legacy as current FC Head Varsity Baseball Coach Gary Vaught has built. After more than two decades as the head baseball coach at the University of Indianapolis, Vaught became one of the winningest coaches in NCAA Division II history, earning over 800 victories. He led UIndy to 10 NCAA regional appearances, three conference tournament titles, and two trips to the Division II World Series.
But when he reflects on being inducted into the University of Indianapolis Hall of Fame, his first thoughts aren’t about wins. “It gives me the opportunity to thank and recognize the people who allowed me to receive this honor,” he shared. That gratitude shapes how he approaches coaching. For Vaught, athletics are about far more than performance. “We tell our team every day that they should be grateful for playing the game of baseball and representing the community,” he said. “Every day is a job interview on and off the field.”
After Making a Difference as a collegiate coach, Vaught chose to continue his journey at Franklin Central High School, drawn to the district's shared values and leadership. One of those connections is especially meaningful. FTCSC Superintendent Dr. Chase Huotari was once recruited and played baseball for Coach Vaught at UIndy, a full-circle reminder of the lasting relationships formed through athletics.
Now at Franklin Central, Vaught is focused on Making a Difference by building something lasting — not just developing baseball players, but developing future citizens. His guiding motto reflects that focus: “Faith, Family, Education, Sports.” In that order.
Jessica Shipp: A Pioneer for Franklin Central Girls' Basketball
FC Alum and current FTLC teacher Jessica Shipp’s story at Franklin Central is deeply tied to the community. Her father, longtime coach Mark James, helped shape FC's basketball culture, and Jessica grew up immersed in the program. She started varsity as a freshman and helped lead the Flashes to Sectional Championships during her career.
One of the most memorable moments came when Franklin Central defeated Ben Davis, which was the number one team in the nation, to win the Marion County Tournament. “That was a huge deal,” she said. “County week was a big deal in our house.”
Shipp also remembers the sense of support from the FTCSC Flashes Community that surrounded the team. Before one Regional game, elementary students decorated the team bus with letters and cards. “It was a community together,” she said.
Jessica later became the first Franklin Central girls basketball player to earn a Division I scholarship, continuing her career at IUPUI. Now, 25 years later, she has been selected to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Silver Anniversary Team.
“They talked about how I was a pioneer,” she said. “How I really put Franklin Central on the map for girls basketball.”
Ric Wyand: A Standout on the Court
FC Alum Ric Wyand remains one of Franklin Central’s most accomplished boys basketball players. As a senior, he averaged more than 20 points per game and finished his career with 1,288 points, ranking among the program's top scorers.
Wyand earned statewide recognition as a 2001 Indiana All-Star, a McDonald’s All-American nominee, and a multiple-time All-Conference and All-Marion County selection. One of his most memorable performances came when he scored 45 points against Pike.
He went on to play at Purdue Fort Wayne during the program’s early Division I seasons before a knee injury ended his playing career.
Kristen Lovell: A Lifetime of Basketball and Leadership
FCJH’s Dean of Students Kristen Lovell’s basketball journey began in Martinsville, where she led the Artesians to two state championships, the final single-class championship, and the first 4A class championship. She then continued her basketball career playing for Indiana University. While she has already included several Hall of Fame recognitions, this latest honor carries special meaning.
“I was surprised and very excited,” Lovell shared. “In recent years, I had been inducted with my team and as a member of the Silver Anniversary Team, but this feels different because it’s an individual recognition.” When she shared the news with her family, their reaction made her smile. “They said, ‘Aren’t you already in the Hall of Fame?’” she said with a laugh.
Kristen credits those teams for the individual recognition she receives today. “The individual awards I received in high school were really a reflection of my high school team,” she said. “When I think of Indiana basketball, I think of hard work, teamwork, and passion for the game.”
Today, Lovell continues Making a Difference as the Dean of Students at Franklin Central Junior High. Her experiences as a student-athlete continue to shape how she supports students. “Being a student-athlete teaches you how to work with others and how to handle challenges,” she said. “We all make mistakes, but how you respond to them is what really matters.”
That message is one she hopes students will carry with them. “Success doesn’t happen overnight,” she said. “It takes dedication and discipline.”
Celebrating a Lasting Legacy
Together, Gary Vaught, Alison Pickett, Jessica Shipp, Ric Wyand, and Kristen Lovell represent something larger than athletic achievement.
They represent Franklin Central’s tradition of excellence. They represent purposeful learning through sport. They represent meaningful collaboration with coaches, teammates, and the community. And they represent the lifelong difference that athletics can make.
Franklin Central Athletic Director Grant Lewis said these recognitions reflect the lasting impact athletics can have on individuals and communities.
“Congratulations to these individuals who show the very best of what it means to be a Flash!” Lewis said. “As an Athletic Director, I couldn’t be more proud of the way they have carried the values learned through athletics—teamwork, discipline, resilience, and leadership—into their careers and communities. Their success is a testament to how the lessons developed in sport shape lifelong productive citizens and positive community leaders. We congratulate them on their well-deserved recognitions and celebrate the lasting impact they continue to make.”
Congratulations to all five inductees.
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