Who We Are 

Homeschool Unified Sports Teams of Lafayette, Incorporated (HUSTL, INC., "hustle") is a Lafayette, Ind.-based nonprofit organization providing athletic opportunities for home-educated students in west-central and northwest Indiana. HUSTL, INC's Mission Statement reads as follows:

"HUSTL, INC organizes and operates Christ-centered competitive and recreational athletic programs for home-educated students."

Founded in June 2003 by Steve and Margie Leer, HUSTL, INC sponsors basketball, soccer, volleyball and cheerleading teams for boys and girls ages 12 through high school, as well as instructional athletic programs for children ages 8-11. HUSTL, INC's competitive teams play under the name of Tippecanoe Tornados. Tippecanoe is our home county.

The Tornados compete against other homeschool, Christian ministry, and Christian school teams from across Indiana and eastern Illinois, and participate as charter members of the State Line Christian Conference. Tornados teams also participate in the annual Indiana Christian Basketball Alliance state homeschool tournaments, and the annual state homeschool volleyball and soccer tournaments.

While HUSTL, INC teams strive for victory on the court or field, winning is not the No. 1 priority. Skill development, teamwork, effort, fair play and sportsmanship are emphasized ahead of won-loss records. Above all, players, coaches and fans are encouraged to conduct themselves in a manner that glorifies and honors the Lord Jesus Christ.

How We Operate

HUSTL, INC is an all-volunteer organization. Because HUSTL, INC employs no paid staff, the organization is able to keep its operational expenses and registration fees low. Fees vary according to the sport, and cover such expenses as gymnasium rentals, referee pay, equipment and uniforms. HUSTL, INC generates additional revenue from admission charges at games, concession sales and fundraising activities.

HUSTL, INC is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors, consisting of five elected members and the sport coordinators of basketball, cheerleading, soccer and volleyball. Parents nominate and vote for the elected board members unless there are insufficient nominees, in which case the board itself may recruit and select the elected members. The board sets policy and approves the organization's annual budgets.

Elected board members serve staggered three-year terms, while the sport coordinators serve for as long as they supervise their sport. Only elected board members can serve as board officers. The current board includes the following members:

• Chairwoman: Colleen Sipple
• Alan Bunning
• Alan Baldwin
• Treasurer: Jean Riepe
• Member at-large: Tony Mull
• Soccer coordinator: Pam Toft

The organization's day-to-day operations are handled by the athletic director. The athletic director serves at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. The athletic director oversees the sport coordinators and works with the board on long-range planning and organization policy. Geoff Anderson is HUSTL, INC's athletic director. He can be reached at (765) 586-4908 or by e-mail at  .

The sport coordinators are responsible for game and practice scheduling, gym and field reservations, referee hiring and equipment purchases for the teams they serve. The coordinators can be reached at the following phone numbers and e-mail addresses:

• Al Heber, basketball: (765) 564-4386 home, (765) 412-4201 cell,
  
• Pam Toft, soccer: (765) 325-9102 home, (765) 894-5880 cell,
• Volleyball, contact AD Geoff Anderson

Every family who registers students for Tornados teams is expected to serve in one or more volunteer positions during the course of a sports season. Examples of volunteer positions include gate admissions, scoreboard operator, gymnasium set-up/cleanup and game program designer.

Who We Serve  

Students who derive at least 51 percent of their education in a homeschool environment are eligible to play on Tornados teams. Exceptions include students who joined Tornados teams before the 51 percent rule was enacted, and students who attend small private schools that do not offer athletic programs. HUSTL, INC reserves the right to deny non-homeschooled students admission on Tornados teams, especially if their admission means 51 percent homeschooled students would be excluded from participating.

Because homeschooled students can be either ahead of or behind their peers academically, Tornados players are assigned to teams based on their age, not grade in school. HUSTL, INC follows the age participation guidelines of the Indiana Christian Basketball Alliance (ICBA), an association of Indiana homeschool sports clubs. Those guidelines permit students:

• Who have not turned 15 years of age before Sept. 1 of the upcoming athletic season to participate on junior high teams.
• Who have not turned 17 years of age before Sept. 1 of the upcoming athletic season to participate on junior varsity teams.
• Who have not turned 19 years of age before Sept. 1 of the upcoming athletic season to participate on varsity teams.

In rare cases for regular season games, inexperienced or less-skilled students might be assigned to teams younger than the ICBA age guideline recommends, until those players "catch up" with their peers. In those cases, HUSTL, INC would notify opposing teams of those rostered players. The age guideline is strictly enforced for ICBA-sanctioned events.      

Because HUSTL, INC is involved in competitive athletics, students are not guaranteed playing time every game. Playing time is a privilege and not a right, and is determined soley by the coaches. Factors that go into determining a student's playing time include the student's athletic skill, their skill development, attendance at practices and attitude.

What We Believe

 HUSTL, INC is a Christian organization. Our statement of faith follows:

• The Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God. It is authoritative for all of life. (II Timothy 3:16; Joshua 1:8)
• There is only one God and He has existed from all eternity in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 5:4; Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 28:19)
• Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, only without sin. (John 1:1, 14; Hebrews 4:15)
• All men have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
• Jesus Christ came to save sinners through His perfect life, substitutionary death and bodily resurrection. (Matthew 1:21; I Corinthians 15:1-3)
•  Salvation is given to all who repent and believe in Jesus Christ. (Romans 10:9-13)
•  No amount of good works is adequate to save a person from their sin. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5)

How To Reach Us 

For more information about HUSTL, INC and its Tippecanoe Tornados teams, contact Geoff Anderson, HUSTL, INC athletic director, or any sport coordinator, at the phone numbers or e-mail addresses listed above.