Carmel High School

Jeff Hester is being nominated for the Gipper Hall of Fame for the way he relentlessly pours himself into creating an outstanding experience for Carmel’s student-athletes, coaches, and fans. On gamedays, he spends the entire day at the stadium orchestrating fireworks, smoke machines, skydivers, and more so athletes can compete on a stage that feels truly special. He ensures every sport, from the largest varsity program to the smallest team, receives equal attention, resources, and support, and he’s a constant presence at games, practices, and school events, building trust across the entire community.

Jeff’s leadership also shows up behind the scenes, whether he’s surprising the grounds crew with lunch after long hours or dropping everything to make sure a coach has the gear their team needs. He launched Carmel’s student social media content team—now a full class with 25+ students and multiple alumni on media scholarships—because he believes in opening doors and “would take the shirt off his back” to help kids succeed.