TERRE HAUTE —
Tim and Cindie Weatherford may be from Cicero, but they are very familiar with Terre Haute.
After all, their daughter Dakota played in Saturday’s Class 3A state championship at Hulman Center, just an hour before the start of their son Austin’s first-round game in the NCAA Division III championship tournament at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
It was quite a “family shuffle” for the couple to even watch their children play in two important basketball games on the same day.
Last weekend, the family rushed between Crown Point, where Dakota’s Hamilton Heights team won the semi-state 69-58 over Benton Central in the afternoon and Terre Haute, where Austin’s Rose-Hulman team beat Hanover 64-59 for the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament championship in the evening.
But even before the 1 hour, 50 minute trip to Terre Haute on Saturday, the couple watched another son, Grant, a high school sophomore, also at Hamilton Heights, play in the boys sectional basketball game Friday at Muncie Central.
The Hamilton Huskees defeated Muncie South 73-56, with Grant scoring 10 points. That means the Weatherfords have yet another championship game to attend. The boys sectional championship versus Muncie Central was moved to Monday since the lady Huskees played Saturday at Hulman Center.
Grant, in addition to basketball, is also an all-state football player. The Weatherfords have a fourth child, Sterling, who also plays basketball, and won an eighth grade tournament this season.
“It’s been plain crazy. It has been so challenging this year, but you find ways, because you don’t want to miss their games,” Cindie said.
One organizational skill Cindie adopted is the use of a color-coded calendar.
“Each one has a different color. Austin is blue and Dakota purple, which is fitting as she will be playing basketball as a Purple Ace next season” for the University of Evansville, Cindie said.
That means the Weatherfords will be visiting Hulman Center on occasion over the next few years as Indiana State and Evansville face each other in Missouri Valley Conference games.
Dakota and Austin have been leaders for their teams. Dakota, 18, a senior guard, averaged a team-high 19.7 points and scored 22 points in the semi-state victory. Austin, 22, also a senior guard, averaged 12.5 points per game for a Rose-Hulman team that tied a school record for most wins (24) in a season. He earned All-HCAC honors this season after leading the Engineers with 95 assists and 39 steals. His career point total of 1,194 points ranks 15th in school history. He has scored 20 or more points in a game 14 times during his career.
Another milestone was Dakota and Austin each scored their 1,000th career points during the week of Jan. 7. Austin had a chance to reach the milestone first, but Rose-Hulman coach Jim Shaw pulled him from a game to allow Austin to break the barrier at a home game, Cindie said.
Austin, 22, said his parents have been to a majority of the more than 100 basketball games he’s played at Rose-Hulman. Austin said it is his mother who closely watches his game, especially free throws.
“She always tells me ‘dishes’ if I miss my free throws. I know if I miss, I can’t get off the hook,” Austin said. “If we missed free throws, we had to do dishes. That was more of a thing in high school, so now for me it is just more of a joke. Now I live in my own house and have to do my own dishes every day, free throws made or missed,” Austin chuckled.
The Weatherfords own a family business, TWeatherford Inc. (TMI), an engineering computer systems design services company that also sells 3D printers. Cindie is president and Tim is vice president.
“My parents sacrifice so much for us. They own their own company and sacrifice time from that. There are games where they have to stay an extra night, so I definitely appreciate that. That is something I hope I can pass onto my kids,” Austin said.
The Weatherfords do have a background in basketball. Tim said he played two years in high school at Anderson and Cindie played four years of basketball in high school in Alaska. Tim also coached Austin and is coaching his two other sons on an AAU basketball team. That, he said, may account for the competitive drive of the family.
“They have all been in several sports. They have the competitive gene. The interesting thing is they definitely feed off each other,” Tim said. “Dakota used to play with Austin and his tall friends when she was little. That is where she learned to get this beautiful high-arching shot. She has a natural shot that comes from competitiveness. Her being able to steal the ball and do all the things she does comes from having three brothers always taking the ball from her,” he said.
Sports, Tim said, has been an important part of their family.
“We are a true believer that if you keep them [children] busy, they will come out a lot better in the long run,” he said.
Dakota’s class 3A Hamilton Heights team (defeated / lost to) Mount Vernon (insert score here) at Hulman Center on Saturday. (End) (BUT IF win, add -) The victory becomes the first state championship in any sports for Hamilton Heights High School.
Austin’s No. 19 ranked Engineers team (defeated or loss to) No. 12 ranked Calvin College of Grand Rapids, Mich. (insert score here) (END) (BUT IF WIN, add) and gives Rose-Hulman its 25th win this year, the highest season total in program history, as they advance in NCAA Division III tournament play.
Reporter Howard Greninger can be reached at 812-231-4204 or howard.greninger@tribstar.com.
Local & Bistate
Related Photos
-
Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Hamilton Heights orange to...: Cindie Weatherford, center, with vest on, cheers as her daughter's name is announced during the Huskies' Class 3A game at Hulman Center Saturday. Tim Weatherford is to the right.
-
Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Go, Rose!: Cindie Weatherford stands to applaud a bucket made by her son, Austin Weatherford, as she and her husband, Tim, immediate right, watch the Engineers in their game against Calvin Saturday at Rose-Hulman.
Discussion
Parents do ‘family shuffle’ to watch tourneys
Family hoops game hops with daughter in state championships, son in DIII tournament
- Local & Bistate
-
-
Ill. House approves guns plan opposed by governor
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gun owners in the only state still banning concealed weapons would win that right under a plan approved by the Illinois House on Friday, but the governor and other powerful Democrats oppose the plan because it would wipe out local gun ordinances — including Chicago's ban on assault weapons.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 24, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Thursday and Friday, based on jail records.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 23, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Wednesday and Thursday, based on jail records.
-
Relic from another age: Massive find
A mastodon that lived in the Wabash Valley thousands of years ago is making big news today.
-
Game Over: Financial tightening causes VCSC to drop St. Patrick’s from athletic schedule
St. Patrick’s School athletic teams will not have an opportunity to compete against their Vigo County School Corp. middle school counterparts next year.
-
Katelyn Newell finally at home
After nearly five months, 8-year-old Katelyn Newell finally returned home Thursday evening — with a new heart.
-
Indiana State U. Police officer honored with Artz Award
Thursday was a special day for Indiana State University Police Officer Christopher Heleine in multiple ways.
-
City Council considering three for consultant
Three different tax professionals vied Thursday for a chance to become a “financial consultant” to the Terre Haute City Council.
-
Clay County sheriff warns of bank card scam
The Clay County Sheriff’s Department has received information regarding a scam targeting residents, according to a news release from the sheriff’s department.
-
State Police seek help with Sullivan County homicide
Indiana State Police detectives from the Putnamville Post are seeking help from the public with the nearly six-month investigation into the death of 85-year-old Lowell R. Badger, a rural Sullivan County farmer.
-
Man who attacked Vigo deputy arrested
A Terre Haute man accused of attacking a Vigo County sheriff’s deputy earlier this week is facing felony charges in the Vigo County jail.
-
INDOT to bid final 641 phase
The final construction phase of the 641 bypass is scheduled to let for bids on Dec. 11, according to the Indiana Department of Transportation.
-
District office moves north
The Southwest District office of the Purdue Extension service has been moved north from Vincennes to Terre Haute.
-
Day is done…
The sun sets Thursday evening as seen from south of Terre Haute.
-
Morning update: I-5 bridge collapse caused by truck hitting span
The Washington State Patrol chief says the Interstate 5 bridge collapse into the Skagit (SKA'-jiht) River at Mount Vernon was caused by an oversize truck.
-
UPDATE: I-70 lanes in Putnam County now open
The west-bound lanes of Interstate 70 re-opened Thursday evening after being temporarily closed due to a crash near the Greencastle/Cloverdale exit.
-
22-hospital St. Vincent Health cutting jobs
INDIANAPOLIS — One of Indiana’s largest health systems says it’s cutting an undisclosed number of jobs by June 30 because of increasing economic and competitive pressure on the health care industry.
-
Update: Cleanup from overturned truck in Greene County continues
Fuel spillage from the dump truck hauling gravel that overturned this morning in Greene County at Indiana 54 and County Road 725 East near Ridgeport continues to restrict traffic to one lane.
-
17-pound bone found during Vigo flood cleanup
TERRE HAUTE — Crews cleaning up from Wabash River flooding in Vigo County came across a 17-pound bone that they believe might have come from an ancient mastodon.
-
Duke Energy gives $10K to Wabash Valley Red Cross for Vigo flood relief
Duke Energy is giving $10,000 to the Wabash Valley Red Cross chapter for flood relief from this spring’s heavy rains.
-
I-70 Frye Road overpass contract awarded; construction to begin May 28
The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced the Interstate-70 Frye Road overpass contract was awarded to Halverson Construction Co. Inc. from Springfield, Ill., for $317,166.
-
Banks of the Wabash Festival is more than just yearly entertainment
Pioneers think counterintuitively. Where others see widespread apathy, they focus on the possibility for progress. In a way, the 2013 Year of the River celebration began in the 1970s.
-
Planning session aims to better Terre Haute
It’s not yet clear what will come of it, but dozens of community leaders spent the whole day Wednesday trying to develop a plan – or collection of plans – to make Terre Haute “a better community.”
-
Education funding boost won’t benefit all schools
In the budget bill passed by the General Assembly last month, there is more money allocated for K-12 education over the next two years, but that doesn’t mean every school will get more dollars.
- Day of Action job options open
-
Park Board renames land around Memorial Stadium
Land surrounding Indiana State University’s Memorial Stadium on Terre Haute’s east side has been designated as Veterans Memorial Park, following a unanimous vote Wednesday from the Terre Haute Park Board.
-
Deputy suffers minor injury during incident
A Vigo County Sheriff’s deputy received a minor injury to his hand Tuesday night while subduing a drunken driving suspect who fled behind a North Terre Haute business.
-
Man accused of child neglect gets new trial date
An Oct. 15 trial date has been set for a Terre Haute man arrested in November for child neglect after he and his wife allegedly tied up and confined their adopted children in the family home.
-
Police find meth labs, arrest Pierson Township man
Police uncovered two active methamphetamine labs in southeastern Vigo County on Monday, leading to the arrest of a Pierson Township man.
-
New date set for attempted murder trial
A new trial date has been set for a Terre Haute woman charged with attempted murder.
- More Local & Bistate Headlines
-
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
