By STEVE KRAH
Purdue Polytechnic High School North in Broad Ripple got unanticipated news when the Lynx learned they would be playing in the IHSAA state tournament for the first time in 2024.
The program that debuted in 2022 was due to wait out a probationary period but was approved for the postseason this spring since the team at the other campus of the Indianapolis-based charter school — Purdue Polytechnic Englewood — is already in the IHSAA tourney.
“We got fast-tracked this off-season,” says Grant Guffey, who is in his second year as head baseball coach at Purdue Polytechnic Broad Ripple, who is an athletic independent and has an enrollment of about 280. “It was very unexpected. It was a surprise to say the least.”
The Lynx are part of an IHSAA Class 1A sectional grouping in 2024 with Bethesda Christian (host), Indiana School for the Deaf, Providence Cristo Rey and Tindley.
As for the regular season, the Lynx get to experience plenty of variety and miles.
“We travel all over the place,” says Guffey.
A 28-game schedule also features dates with Attica, Blue River Valley, Brebeuf Jesuit, Burris Laboratory School, Christel House, Crothersville, Edinburgh, Faith Christian, Herron, Indianapolis Bishop Chatard, Indianapolis Shortridge, Indy Genesis, Irvington Preparatory Academy, Liberty Christian, Monrovia, Purdue Polytechnic Englewood, Southmont, Taylor, Tri and Waldron.
Housed in the former Broad Ripple High School on the near north side of Indianapolis, Purdue Polytechnic North. The old football and softball fields are sometimes utilized and the team also practices at Broad Ripple Park. A handful of home games are scheduled on a lighted diamond at Forest Park in Noblesville, Ind.
While Purdue Polytechnic students have access to an academic path that leads to Purdue University, there is no connection between the high school athletic program and the Purdue Boilermakers or any of the other Purdue branch campuses.
As a school drawing students from all over, Purdue Polytechnic does not have a natural feeder system. Though not part of the Purdue system, a Broad Ripple middle school will soon be moving into the same building and Guffey says there may be an opportunity to get baseball players for the Lynx program.
“When freshmen come in, we do our best to recruit and tell them who we are,” says Guffey.
Guffey, a 2018 graduate of New Castle (Ind.) High School and recruitment coordinator for Henry Community Health in New Castle, is a former pitching coach at Pike High School in Indiana and has coached travel baseball with the Indiana Expos, Indiana Primetime and Indiana Nitro. He will guide the Nitro 14U Gold team this year.
Guffey resides in New Castle with girlfriend Hannah and cats Ozzie (like Ozzie Albies) and Strider (like Spencer Strider). Guffey is a diehard Atlanta Braves fan and plans to attend the team’s home opener Friday, April 5.
Guffey’s Lynx coaching staff features Cacey Bertram, Ke’Shawn Barker, Davon Hardy, Brian Clark and Kendel Tilton.
Newcomer Bertram (New Castle Class of 2015) coaches with Guffey with the Nitro.
Newcomer Barker is pitching coach for the Lynx and also coaches in the Oaklandon Youth Organization.
Newcomer Hardy has coached at various places in central Indiana.
Returnees Clark and Tilton are both volunteers with sons on the team — Alistair Clark (Class of 2024) and John Tilton (Class of 2024).
Purdue Polytechnic Broad Ripple had 18 players in 2023, including just one senior who did not go on to college baseball.
Among the 15 players on the 2024 squad (which is varsity only) are two with college diamond interest — shortstop/right-handed pitcher Chrystan McNeal (Class of 2025) and middle infielder/right-handed pitcher Matthew Clements (Class of 2026).
There is a mix of talented players and those new to the game so there is an emphasis on development.
“It’s a lot of telling those to control what we can control, develop what we can develop and go at our own pace,” says Guffey. “We can’t do everything all at once. We can’t go at hyper speed.
“Ultimately, we have to play our own game and make our own culture.”
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